Level 1

0 points

iPhone 4/iOS 4 bluetooth muffled on other end

I don't know if it's the phone or the OS, but my headset worked fine with my iPhone 2g. On my new iPhone 4, every bluetooth headset I use connects fine and I can hear the caller perfect. Except, they say it sounds like there's a pillow over my mouth when I talk. To the point of not even recognizing what I say. I tried calling the house, and I can barely hear myself, and it will cut in and out. Anyone else getting this issue?

iPhone 4 - 16GB, iOS 4

Posted on Jun 26, 2010 10:00 PM

675 replies

Mar 1, 2011 4:46 PM in response to taldrich

Hi! I have a MB S-63 AMG and have basically given up on B-T interface - very intermittent just as you describe. The dealer is clueless...

Have you had any success since your post last Sept? I have had my Command system updated last Fall, no improvement.

Thanks!

Mar 1, 2011 5:04 PM in response to taldrich

I have same problem with my iPhone4 in my 2010 MB S-63 AMG.

However... I also have a 2010 Toyota Venza and the iPhone4 B-T interface in the Venza is elegant and functions perfectly. Amazingly so. I have exhaustively tested the iPhone4 in MB, including loaner cars (2010 GLK) where the B-T interface worked better (didn't cut out periodically) but had FAR LESS functionality (could not upload contacts to car, no extra toggles in iPhone4's B-T screen for the profile for the MB loaner (but lots of toggles for "recent calls", "Received Calls", and a selection box for whichever iPhone contact GROUP you want available in the MB S-63 screen).

iPhone OS versions were each tested as they were released by Apple - no improvement to this problem has ever been detected... up through 4.2.1

So: iPhone4 works perfectly in every way desirable in Toyota Venza (2010);

iPhone4 works fairly well in lower-end MB vehicles such as GLK but has virtually no working features such as contact list transfer. Just basic functionality with manually entered contacts into the vehicle's contact database.

iPhone4 works intermittently in higher-end MB vehicles such as S-63.

Intermittently is defined as a call originating through car B-T interface and then, with no warning the audio system un-mutes as if the call has been dropped (but when you look at the phone you realize the call is still ongoing and has reverted back to the handset)... so you turn down the volume on the stereo, and continue the call on the iPhone4 held next to your head and then in a few seconds (5-20 secs) the call mysteriously re-connects to the car, muting the stereo. This will occur several times in just one call!

Possible reasons? I'm guessing some form of B-T interference. I set the iPhone4 on the "ledge" just under the main command display in my car. Perhaps this is too close to some other source of interference but when I've tried locating the phone on the car seat the problem persists. Some have suggested that my B-T antenna in my car's "head unit" might be in a bad location or the actual electronics in the head unit (as of 2009 (?) B-T was integrated into car's head unit and the external B-T interface was no longer necessary) are defective.

IPRoutes

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2011 12:30 PM in response to JMacGyver

It may be the noise cancellation on iphone4 that may be interfering with noise cancellation of the headset. That is why maybe some more primitive BT models do not have issues?

Mar 4, 2011 7:22 PM in response to IPRoutes

Nothing but issues with my brand new Jawbone Era. No hope in sight for iOS 4.3 either it looks like. This is beyond ridiculous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOSversionhistory#4.3

Don't worry. We can all pay the $300 for the fix when the iPhone 5 comes out.

jkozlow3

Level 1

4 points

Mar 5, 2011 9:18 AM in response to digitalruse

I upgraded to the 4.3 Gold Master (found it after a quick Google search) and set up my phone as a new phone (not from backup). After 1 day of heavy usage (4+ hours of calls), no issues with my Plantronics Voyager Pro+ whatsoever.

That being said, I'm not overly optimistic that the problem won't return, as it usually does over a period of time (which makes no sense). I've been hopeful with each iOS release and have been repeatedly let down. Interesting that Apple made no mention of any Bluetooth bug fixes in that Wiki article you linked to. That's a huge let down if they truly didn't work on fixing any of these bugs whatsoever in 4.3.

Mike8541

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2011 10:30 AM in response to SeAnSieS

I have an iphone 4 and have not had any success with the quality of the audio with the Icon...I was told that it was the Jawbone itself, so I paired it with my work phone and the ICON was crystal clear. I am disappointed that I purchased the 4 b/c bluetooth is critical to me.

I really hope Apple can address this with an IOS update, but I am loosing hope that this is a flawed design.

Apr 5, 2011 9:00 AM in response to SeAnSieS

Same issue here.

BT in my car worked flawlessly with my iPhone 3G for ~2 years and is muffled/garbled with the iPhone4. Apple has replaced my phone twice and the issue persists.

I also bought a Jabra BT adapter and it too was garbled/muffled.

I have been holding out in hopes of a software fix but there is none in sight. If there is no acknowledgement/fix from Apple by months end, I'm going to sell it and go Android. Too bad as it's an otherwise fantastic phone.

Apr 6, 2011 1:30 AM in response to SeAnSieS

I have a workaround, it works for me. I hope it works for your as well, that is...

When a call is connected (of course, via your bluetooth device), switch your 'Audio Source' on your iPhone 4 to 'Speaker Phone' then switch it back to 'Bluetooth'. The muffled noise should go away after that.

It doesn't hurt to try (no software upgrade, no setting changes on your bluetooth device)... I know it is annoying, but it appears it is the only solution until Apple release a fix.

Cheers,

Apr 6, 2011 10:39 PM in response to SeAnSieS

Glad to learn that I'm not alone. Just replaced my Plantronics Voyager Pro with a new Pro + thinking that the problem was in the headset. Wrong! What a waste of money. Called AT&T and Apple. They acted as though they had never heard of the problem. Discovered the issue in this forum with a quick Google search. Count me in with others who will be buying a different phone if Apple doesn't address the problem SOON! Apple? Are you listening to us???

Apr 7, 2011 11:34 AM in response to garychankl

@garychankl

I concur - this works 100% of the time.

However, this shouldn't be necessary and isn't always practical while driving a vehicle.

After 3 phones, few IOS releases and zero response from Apple, I give up. Too bad too as I really do like the phone.

--
Marc

2Flash

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2011 8:21 PM in response to lawyerjim1

I just got a Plantronics Discovery 975 to use with my iPhone 4. Previously, I had about three years of very good experience with a Discovery 925 used with an original iPhone (2007). The 925 died, either due to being dropped too many times or perhaps a battery issue.

I encountered background static and choppy sound when I first paired the new 975 with the iPhone 4. However, after trying the trick of switching back and forth between speaker and bluetooth, it now seems to work okay most of the time.

I am beginning to suspect that the Netgear 802.11n WiFi or two Vtech 5.8 GHz portable phones, or similar stuff in the neighbors' houses, may be causing the problem. The problem also seems to crop up a bit at the office where I work, which is full of RF gear, including a multiple access point WiFi system.

One thing I did learn from my various online searches is that WiFi and Bluetooth can, and often do, interfere with one another. This has been known for years. See 2002 article at http://www.hp.com/rnd/library/pdf/WiFiBluetoothcoexistance.pdf.

My guess is there is little Apple can do because Bluetooth and WiFi are international standards and it is probably not feasible to modify how they are implemented and remain in compliance with the standard.

On the other hand, I am wondering whether the positioning of the bluetooth antenna in the iPhone 4 makes it more susceptible to interference. Or maybe the Bluetooth radio in the iPhone 4 is more powerful than the old models, perhaps making it more susceptible to picking up interference. (If either of these is the case, it would seem hard, if not impossible, for Apple to provide any improvements through a firmware fix.)

There's an article in EE Times that may help explain interference and suggest ways to minimize interference sources: http://www.eetimes.com/design/microwave-rf-design/4012556/Avoiding-Interference- in-the-2-4-GHz-ISM-Band?pageNumber=1.

Final thought: maybe Apple should give its Geniuses, and AT&T give its store associates, some training on RF interference and post its own expert opinion on the subject on the Apple Support pages. (If they already have, please provide a link, because I could not find anything.)

oharamj

Level 1

14 points

Apr 17, 2011 7:36 PM in response to SeAnSieS

I've finally gotten aggravated enough to post this experience and ask for help.

I now have iPhone 4 running 4.1. Had an iPhone 3G for two years prior with same Bluetooth problem.

I purchased a Plantronics 855 headset early on with the 3G. Got the 855 because I listen to hours everyday of audio books and music, and also movies. And it fits nice in the ear(s) and stays in without the ear hoop. The 855 is one of the few that work nicely with A2DP and can play stereo. I liked it so much that when I thought I had lost it last summer, I bought another off eBay. Now I have two, one always charging.

Here's the problem with both iPhones: when I put the iPhone in a shirt or pants pocket or fanny pack the Bluetooth signal is constantly cutting in and out. It seems to have something to do with motion - if I take it out and hold in my hand (or set it down) then the transmission is steady. I have disabled the "shake" to shuffle feature but no impact.

By the way, the problem gets much worse out if doors. If I am walking then I just can't listen via Bluetooth - constantly choppy signal.

Any ideas?

nerijus

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2011 12:52 AM in response to SeAnSieS

The same problem with Motorola Bluetooth Car Speaker. With Nokia and Motorola phones device work great, but with iPhone4 I cant pair. Also I cant pair iPhone4 with another phone together. Phone shows that status is "Connected" but after few seconds this message appears.

May 3, 2011 8:10 AM in response to nerijus

I appear to be the latest in a long line of p'd off Apple iPhone4 customers - bought a new iPhone4 last week, tried to use my Plantronics Voyager PRO headset with it (which worked perfectly on my old Blackberry Bold and Torch) and got all the problems everyone's describing: muffled, sound drifting in and out. Crazy, considering the price of this phone and Apple's supposed excellent product design. Hoping it's a software problem that can be fixed, but it's such an old problem, and Apple still haven't fixed it - what a let-down, and no prospect of a proper solution!!

bod699

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2011 3:55 PM in response to SeAnSieS

I also have been experiecing similar issues. I only picked up a Bluetooth headset recently. I have an iphone 4 with iOS 4.3.1 installed.

When paired with the stereo in my Kia Pro Ceed sound comes throguh clear, calls are good quality with no issues. However when paired with the Motorola Rokr 305 sound is choppy. The main reason for the purchase was to use while jogging. With the phone in my pocket sound cuts out frequently, if I hold the phone rather than in my pocket it cuts out a lot less. Using the same headset paired with my laptop does not experience the same issues so I know it isnt the headset. Motorola's site lists it as being compatible with the iphone 4.

As with listening to music if receiving/making a call with the phone in my pocket sound cuts out and the call cuts off, with it in my hand it doesnt do this. I see through this thread various apple techs have advised people that this is a bug and will be fixed in an iOS upgrade all the way from 4.01 and with 4.3.1 the bluetooth issues are still there.

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iPhone 4/iOS 4 bluetooth muffled on other end