iPhone 12 Pro and Bluetooth Connectivity.

Does anyone have Bluetooth issues using an iPhone 12 Pro with 2007 - 2009 Chevrolet entertainment systems? I have a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and I am having issues with Bluetooth calling.

I am able to pair the phone without any problems, but when it comes to using it, the radio is not able to keep the bluetooth connection resulting with the radio and phone switching back and forth between connecting to the vehicle and reverting back to the handset speaker over and over again. A complete fail.

I’ve worked directly through Apple Support to troubleshoot the issue (literally hours worth) with no success. I went through the trouble of returning my first 12 Pro and replacing it with another 12 Pro with the same issue. I took the vehicle to my local Chevy Dealership without success as well. They updated the firmware at the cost of 1 hour labor. (Ouch!) It would have been worth it for me had it worked, but it didn’t.

My previous phone (a iPhone XS) worked without a hitch. I questioning Apple support, I asked what versions of Bluetooth did the XS have vs the 12Pro, turns out they use the same version of Bluetooth. This makes me believe it is some hardware issue with the 12Pro design that has caused the issue.

This is my final attempt to resolve the problem before moving to an after market radio to be able to use the new phone in a handsfree environment. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions before I pull the trigger on a replacement radio?

This by far has been the biggest headache time wise and expense wise I’ve ever had with an Apple device. Any help is appreciated. TIA

Posted on Dec 13, 2020 5:46 PM

Top-ranking reply

Loco Author

Level 1

16 points

Posted on Jan 29, 2021 6:00 AM

I was disappointed that Apple did not shed any light on this issue. If there is a hardware related issue they should have researched it and informed their support team. IF that is the problem, so be it, just give us an answer. I literally spent money I didn’t need to spend at the car dealership to get the Bluetooth in my vehicle updated along with the hours tying up Apple’s support team trying to troubleshoot the problem. Apple’s support team does a terrific job IMHO. They are the face of Apple and get the brunt of unhappy customers frustration. The team that supports them need to be made aware of that.

Sorry about the rant.

I replaced the factory radio with one compatible with CarPlay, I couldn’t be happier. I saved on the labor cost by installing it myself. I purchased through Crutchfield, another company with a great support system.

Boatrhicks wrote:

I have the same exact problem with my 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 ! New iPhone 12 mini will hook up to Bluetooth and keep switching back and forth annoying .. can leave Bluetooth hooked up and if someone calls me it will answer fine . Rest Bluetooth number of times and same thing . New phone same issue it’s definitely a software issue .. Bluetooth hooks up fine to all my other vehicles just not the 2009 GMC Sierra .. wish they could just fix the issue with a software update

View in context

Similar questions

110 replies

660john

Level 1

8 points

Nov 28, 2021 8:13 PM in response to NivekEwol

You know something we don’t? Didn’t know iPhone 14’s were out yet. All I was saying is if the 13 has different Bluetooth hardware then that could be the issue.

Nov 30, 2021 3:56 PM in response to SCinWI

I had the same experience with Rich today. Looks like Apple is paying attention to our concerns. No promises though, but at least a higher level of interest.

Jul 19, 2021 9:26 AM in response to Loco

I have the exact same issue with my 2009 Chevy Silverado 2500 4X4 diesel truck vis-a-vis the Apple iPhone 12 Mini. I have been seeking resolution through Apple support, without success since 11/2020. They (Apple) insist it is a Chevrolet problem, even though it is Apple who should be seeking compatibility with auto manufacturers hardware, not the other way around.

Finally, and without the help of Apple tech support, I have figured out the cause.

I deleted the entire contents of my iPhone and set the iPhone up manually as a new phone. Then, before loading any external data/files (i.e. 3rd party apps, MP3 files or photos) I paired the phone to my truck in the just out of the box state (as it were) and the hands free Bluetooth function worked perfectly with both incoming and outgoing calls.

I then loaded all of my songs in my iTunes library, and lo and behold, the problem returned. I deleted the entire contents of my iPhone iTunes library, but the hands free Bluetooth function would not work, even after deleting my phone from my truck's memory and re-pairing the iPhone. The only way I could get the hands free function back was to, once again, delete the entire contents of the phone and once again set the iPhone up manually as a new phone.

To verify the condition, I then paired a second iPhone 12 Mini that had never had any MP3 files or 3rd party applications stored on it to my truck. It functioned normally in the hands free Bluetooth mode. I then loaded one CD (Buena Vista Social Club...if it matters) into iTunes on my Mac Book Pro, and subsequently loaded the files onto the new iPhone 12 Mini and, as expected, the hands free function became inoperable. Problem identified...if you have, or have ever had MP3 files on your iPhone 12 Mini, your Bluetooth hands free function may be inoperable in 2009 Chevrolet vehicles, and possibly others.

The only way I have found to remedy the condition is to delete the entire contents of your iPhone and set the phone up manually, without adding MP3 files to the newly set up iPhone 12 Mini. Due to time constraints, I have not tested the usability of the hands free Bluetooth function in my truck after the installation of 3rd party applications to a newly set up device. But a simple add an app, test the hands free function, (and repeat) would reveal any other potential compatibility issues on an app by app basis. If there is a compatibility problem with any particular application, you would have to start again with the whole deletion and re-setup process.

I have shared this information with Apple support staff. Hopefully, Apple management will see fit to assign a team of software engineers to this issue so that a permanent fix, that allows one to store MP3 files on their iPhone 12 Mini for use with other compatible streaming devices, can be developed.

(Note: My particular truck does NOT have the capability to stream music files via Bluetooth. If your vehicle does have this option available, this hands free Bluetooth function compatibility issue solution may not be applicable to your 2009 Chevrolet.)

Oct 24, 2021 3:41 PM in response to NivekEwol

Same thing with my 2009 Avalanche. I can call out but not receive. IOS 15.02 on my phone 12. That Tells me it’s not a hardware problem. GM & Apple both know about the issue. Apple told me to get my radio updated. GM wants $120 but can’t guarantee it will fix the issue. Did this fix it for anyone else out there? I’m not spending $120, just to find out it doesn’t work.

Jan 20, 2022 3:17 PM in response to Mikey315

My iPhone 13 has the same problem. I own a 2009 GMC Sierra. My iPhone 6S worked fine.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPhone 12 Pro and Bluetooth Connectivity.