iPhone 4 and bluetooth in car - won't connect

Question

iPhone 4 and bluetooth in car - won't connect

The iPhone 4 won't connect to my car's bluetooth based hands-free system. My previous 3G and 3GS models both connected automatically. The new phone doesn't "find" the car, or vice cersa. Installed iOS4.0.1 today, makes no difference.

Is this a common problem? Is there a fix? Is it the handset? Or do we have to wait for 4.0.2/3/4/5 to solve a problem that previous iPhones didn't have??

Seriously this is a real problem for me and anyone else in places where holding a phone while driving is illegal. I may have to revert to the 3GS.

iPhone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Jul 16, 2010 3:52 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 16, 2010 5:27 AM in response to Maurice Smith

There are several threads about a bluetooth issue either with the iPhone 4 or iOS4, or both. No one has managed to find a fix that works for everyone yet. I have the same problems and have been through every step anyone has suggested. You might want to call Apple and let them know you have a problem. They will probably tell you to backup your phone, do a restore, re-set all of your settings, and try to pair up your phone again. I have done all of these things several times and nothing has worked. I had zero problems with my 3G and my crappy Motorola SLVR connecting to the bluethooth in my Acura RDX. I have read nothing about the new iOS4 update addressing these issues since the whole antennae thing seems to capture most of the spotlight these days 🙂

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Answer 2

Jul 16, 2010 5:42 AM in response to electrogruve

Add my vote to this issue. Pairing my 3G Iphone was a snap; this new iphone will not pair with my MB C300. None of the suggestions have worked -- even contacting the MB support line was a dud. This is not acceptable and it is something that I would not have accepted from Apple.

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Answer 3

w7ox

Level 4

2,407 points

Jul 16, 2010 7:43 AM in response to Maurice Smith

Maurice Smith wrote:
The iPhone 4 won't connect to my car's bluetooth based hands-free system.

What car and system? Works fine with my 3rd party BlueCant system, but some built in units may need firmware updates.

Phil

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Answer 4

Jul 23, 2010 11:52 AM in response to Maurice Smith

I'm having the same problem. iPhone 3GS worked perfectly with the Bluetooth in my Jaguar XF and my wife's Infiniti. After I updated to iOS 4.0.1. Now I cannot connect via Bluetooth to either car.

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Answer 5

cpharada

Level 1

0 points

Aug 4, 2010 8:09 PM in response to Paul Smith20

Same issue with my car stereo bluetooth, Aline IDA-X305S head unit, KCE-400BT adapter...Luckily the USB works for music but no hands-free phone calls.
3GS iPhone synced easily, now I have to re-sync manually every time I get in the car... Let's hope a fix comes soon...

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Answer 6

Aug 4, 2010 8:34 PM in response to Steven Melnyk

Steven Melnyk wrote:
Add my vote to this issue. Pairing my 3G Iphone was a snap; this new iphone will not pair with my MB C300. None of the suggestions have worked -- even contacting the MB support line was a dud. This is not acceptable and it is something that I would not have accepted from Apple.

Steven, I too have a MB C300 and had no trouble pairing the iPhone. Actually, we have two iP4 phones and two MB C300 and this worked with both. First, if you had an iPhone previously, erase that phone from the cars memory. Second, put your phone in Bluetooth mode, then have your car find the phone, not the other way around. When you are prompted to enter a 4 digit code, Mercedes recommends 1234, once you enter that code, you'll be prompted to enter the same code on the phone. Once you've done that, you'll be paired. Every time. And it was Mercedes (1800-ForMercedes) who walked me through the steps.......Good luck. It really does work.......

Message was edited by: rbrylawski

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Answer 7

Ziatron

Level 5

4,186 points

Aug 4, 2010 9:38 PM in response to Maurice Smith

this is a real problem for me and anyone else in places where holding a phone while driving is illegal.

You live somewhere were this is actually enforced?

We should also ban music in cars, that's distracting to.

Take your car to a car audio shop, they can hard wire a iPod / iPhone dock connector that will sound great and charge your iPod or iPhone at the same time.

I have this in 3 cars, a "must have" for me.

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Answer 8

Macaby

Level 3

923 points

Aug 4, 2010 9:58 PM in response to Maurice Smith

Mine quickly paired with my Ford Flex bluetooth receiver. I've found in pairing phones with car bluetooth receivers, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 attempts before "locking" on the first time where you get prompted for the security code (usually 0000 or 1111).

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Answer 9

adhikun

Level 1

5 points

Aug 5, 2010 9:40 AM in response to Maurice Smith

Securit code 0000 didn't work but 1111 work. Able to connect to a windows laptop. Next one I'm trying is the bluetooth in my car.

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Answer 10

artsie1

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2012 2:23 PM in response to Maurice Smith

I'm pretty irratated as well. My 3G had no problem pairing and then finding my bluetooth as soon as I started my car. I just got the Iphone4s and although it will pair with my new car (Subaru Impreza 2011) it will not find my bluetooth automatically...I have to manually pair it each time i get in the car.

Siri won't even help me!!!!

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Answer 11

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Jan 6, 2012 6:51 PM in response to artsie1

Was it really necessary to dig up a 1.5 year old thread to rant?

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Answer 12

grsw

Level 1

0 points

Feb 14, 2012 10:21 PM in response to Maurice Smith

I know this is an old thread but I thought I would add my comments in case someone like me has also been searching the net without success for a solution.

My wife recently purchased a 4s to replace her iPhone4 and had this issue with her Honda Hybrid, which has a Parrot BT Handsfree fitted. She was asked to pair the device each time she started the car. We didn't have this issue with the BT in my car (also a Parrot). Suspecting that the Parrot was somehow remembering the old phone ID ( as we had transferred everything to the new phone when she got it), I erased the memory in the Parrot BT and this has resolved the problem and the phone now connects automatically with no problem.

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Answer 13

Jan 9, 2013 7:57 AM in response to Maurice Smith

I don't care that this is an old thread - it's a new problem with my 4s.

It worked perfectly for several months with the bluetooth in my Jaguar and after the system update, now it won't pair at all ever - period.

It finds 'Jaguar' and contiues searching but never finds the connection!!

It is REALLY annoying as if I get a call, I have to stop to answer the phone.

It worked perfectly for years with my Blackberry as well.

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