Bluetooth Stuttering Issues | iPhone 11 Pro Max | iOS 13

I also don't think this is WiFi interrence. I have tried 3 different iPhone 11s (from Apple and the carrier), and they all have the problem in areas with no WiFi active and with downloaded music playing from the stock Apple music app on the phone. It sure looks like a Bluetooth problem with the iPhone 11 since my other iPhones and iPads all work in any of the Bluetooth connections schemes. I am currently working with Apple Tech support and their engineering group to load a Bluetooth logging profile on an iPhone 11 to see what is happening when the stuttering occurs.

Can someone confirm that this goes away when phone is moved away from any mount near head unit? Put in pocket for instance. This would mean its most likely a hardware issue of some radio interference.

There appears to be different Bluetooth "stuttering" issues. Some may be related to the Apple Watch as people have noted. There are issues with audio (primarily music audio) to Bluetooth receivers and speakers. The recent iOS update to 13.3.1 seems to have reduced the stuttering somewhat, but it still occurs as others have noted. Apple has asked me to load a troubleshooting profile to log Bluetooth data and send to their engineers (this is the second time since the update did not fix the problem). So we are still waiting for a fix for the iPhone 11.

There appear to be different Bluetooth stuttering problems - some may be related to various car BT systems, and some possibly related to the Apple Watch. However there is a common theme of problems with the iPhone 11 versus older model iPhones or any of the iPads. This problem shows up with numerous BT devices (audo receivers, sound bars, car systems, headphones), and it appears to be most noticeable with music. The Apple airbuds may work OK since it's "Apple to Apple". Hardware replacements of the iPhone 11 along with complete SW resets have not fixed this problem for me and several other people. The latest iOS update also did not fix this. I have sent Bluetooth logs with time stamps when the stuttering occured using two different iPhone 11s running a variety of BT devices and audio apps to Apple support. They seem to acknowledge the problem, but the responses to me have dried up over the past 3-4 weeks. As the previous post said "PLEASE sort this out".

This issue just started happening for me a few weeks ago. iPhone 11 Pro Max. I suspect it has something to do with the new Bluetooth privacy feature. I installed a new app and opened it while my earbuds were paired to the phone. The app asked me for permission to use Bluetooth, and then problem began. I tried deleting the app to no avail. I upgraded to 13.4.1 and the problem went away. However, just the other day the same thing happened again. An app requested access to Bluetooth while my headphones were paired/on and the intermittent static skipping started again. I think both times I either selected No or closed the app.

It’s definitely a bug and I think Apple should add the ability to wipe/reset all Bluetooth settings/cache/privacy requests separately from other network settings (since deleting all your saved WiFi passwords sucks if you don’t have to do it).

Well it’s official. Finished my calls with a senior supervisor and it looks like I’ll have to replace my phone. Because I bought Apple+ coverage my replacement was covered. But if others didn’t have this coverage this will really suck... I hope the issue is fixed in future software updates.

Update out....13.3

First few calls seemed ok, but kind of hesitant to say it’s resolved. Before connecting after I updated, I did reconnect to the car Bluetooth deleting the old and re-adding it.

I finally called Apple Support -- the first specialist I spoke to wasn't aware of any issue with the iPhone 11. I was later connected to a specialist who collected logs of the issue and a callback has been set up for late next week. I urge everyone who has the time to reach out to Apple and do the same. They need to understand the extensiveness of the issue.

I noticed this not long after I got my phone. It wouldn't stay connected to my Bose Soundlink Mini at first. I thought the issue was with the speaker. Then I got a Plantronics noise cancelling headset for work and started hearing the static. Thought the issue was from using Zoom for conference calls. Had to use my AirPods for a call and heard the static on those too. Went to Apple and they recommended a reset. Seemed to work then had the static issue again the next day. Went back to Apple and they gave me a new phone. Thought the issue was fixed then during my first call today the issue came back. Seems to be a a software issue. Phone is great otherwise but this is a big deal since Bluetooth interacts with so much. Hope they get it fixed soon.

I have problem when playing music with Bluetooth on my 2014 Mercedes A class. Randomly it freeze for a second , sometime very often. Sometimes not at all. I can say for sure it all started when AirPods Pro came out, went to the Apple store to try them and there was a little iOS update to make them pair with the iphone. After this update the Bluetooth always give me this issue. The problem seems more noticeable when using the phone while the music is playing. For example opening apps or scrolling through pages etc.

No problem at all with my AirPods 1. iPhone 11 Pro Max, ios13.3.1

Right, so here's my definitive "tried everything" list...

• I spoke with Apple customer services (this phone is less than a year old) and they were actually not condescending (recognizing that it was several Bluetooth devices so obviously the phone or software). After a few diagnostics he recommended a full reinstall, we parted company there as this is a company phone and I wasn't about to mess up the settings and installation....but we'll come back to this.
• Contacted company IT - they said "go for it" and gave me instructions on reinstalling the right software.
• So I backed up in iTunes and went for it. Totally fresh install. Before I installed ANYTHING else after the boot I tried the devices again - no luck, still stuttering, dropping or doing that weird thing where you get a millisecond of sound, then the volume bar jumps up, its silent for a while and then it drops the connection.
• So I reinstalled the backup, no sense in suffering with a fresh build if it didn't solve the problem. Customer service said that the iOS would be fresh anyway - still not working. Started to self-doubt so pulled out another set of headphones to check (Parrot Ziks), does exactly the same thing as the Airpods (the weird split second music, jumping volume bar and dropping).
• I also tried to downgrade phone to a 12 iOS (12.4.1 and up). Seems impossible now as Apple stopped signing them, so iTunes just throws up an error (3194 I think) whenever I try.
• Started looking at Huawei phones online (company offers a scheme where you can bring your own phone), this is so poor from Apple it just might be the end of my relationship with them.

PS Phone (6s) is now running iOS 13.3.1. C'mon Apple, PLEASE sort this out with 13.4.

right now we are at the mercy of apple although few have had success disabling siri but it didn't change anything for me and my bluetooth devices and others said disconnecting their apple watches helped also.

ok I’ve now restored my iPhone 11 pro max 5 times (purchased in fall of 2019). Each time I deleted more apps and deleted more iCloud data between each restoration. Reset to factory settings and restored with iTunes connected to my Mac. I restored data via iCloud WiFi connection. Same problem persisted. Even to confirm if it was firmware in my audio devices since they are 2 years old I purchased a pair of the new AirPod pros. The problem is just as bad, I didn’t confirm this until today but when I have my AirPods in during a call both audio and my my mic was very stuttered. The issue has improved now that I’ve restored with no app data restored to the phone. But barely. If I’m on the iTunes app and doing nothing else the connection is smooth. If I exit and start typing in any field, the stutter comes back. I have Siri off, no iWatch connected and background loading to only WiFi. Literally the only thing I have on this restoration is my iCloud profile and YouTube. Problem is still happening. My husband and I got the exact same phone at the exact same time from the Apple store last fall and joined t-mobile the same day we purchased the phones. He is on the same latest software update 13.5.1 and isn’t experiencing any problems with Bluetooth. We are both using T-mobile. My phone has never been physically broken from falls or been submerged in water. I have no idea what this is other than software issues given my last support analysis came back with Bluetooth functioning fine.

Update:

I have noticed that this problem really only occurs at my house. I have fully reset the phone with no success. I currently only have my Powerbeats Pros, Garmin watch, and Garmin bike computer paired with my phone. When I am away from my house, the Powerbeats Pro play just fine. When I am home, the iPhone stutters and skips when playing any music, media, and on phone calls. I can play from my iPad or any of my Windows computers or my Garmin watch perfectly. It is like the iPhone is experiencing interference that no other device is experiencing. This issue is new from about 13.5.1. I am wondering if the iPhone could, in some fashion, be trying to connect to other Bluetooth devices even though it is not paired with them. I did a scan of the local area for both WiFi and Bluetooth and both are quite busy. I played with my local WiFi setttings - changing the 2.4ghz channel, reducing 2.4ghz power, disabling/re-enabling 20/40mhz coexistence, etc.

This problem occurs whether I am playing downloaded or streaming content. The problem occurs regardless of my location in my home (3,100sq ft).

I have turned off all Bluetooth access in the privacy settings and that did not help the problem.

I have turned off WiFi and cellular data and neither helps the issue.

Given that every device besides the iPhone works perfectly over the same Bluetooth headsets and that the iPhone works perfectly away from my house, I really believe that this is a software/firmware issue with how the iPhone is handling Bluetooth traffic while in a busy environment.

Does anyone have any thoughts on fixes or are we beholden to Apple fixing this?

I have tried upgrading to 13.6 Beta 3 and that did not help either. From what I can tell, Bluetooth modem firmware remains 1.06.00 in 13.6 Beta 3, which is the same that was at 13.5.1.

Sadly, I think we are beholden to Apple to fix it. Replacing phones doesn’t work resetting to factory settings doesn’t work multiple devices don’t work. And there is definitely an issue with Bluetooth and also the stuttering happens when notifications come in when you’re on Bluetooth and otherwise. I think it’s a broader issue but I definitely think it’s a Sadly, I think we are beholden to Apple to fix it. Replacing phones doesn’t work resetting to factory settings doesn’t work multiple devices don’t work. And there is definitely an issue with Bluetooth and also the stuttering happens when notifications come in when you’re on Bluetooth and otherwise. I think it’s a broader issue and definitely a big glitch that needs an update. Just my opinion. We’ve been fighting with it for months. Makes it difficult to work and being that we are all working virtually, it’s a big problem! We need to continue to post to convince apple it’s on their side.