iPhone 13 not automatically connecting to car bluetooth

The Apple support talked to me and the issue with the car is solved now. I removed the Phone from my car's bluetooth device list and I removed the car from the phone. Paired both again and no problem since then.

I did this with my BT speaker, too. But here it only works most of the time now. But sometimes it is not connecting, but it seems to become less often.

So far, I'm happy now with the iPhone 13 mini.

Fully disconnect it - delete it from the car, and delete the car from your phone. Then use the voice command of the car to pair the device to the phone. I did what you're talking about repeatedly, but it was when I went via the steering wheel voice command for the radio that did the trick. It's just a suggestion, not a guarantee. I can only speak to what worked in my situation. Best of luck!

Hi mitchell.sam,

Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today connecting to your car's Bluetooth.

It sounds like you have tried some good troubleshooting here. Does Bluetooth work with other devices?

Also see: How to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your car.

"Connect using Bluetooth

1. Restart your device.
2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and turn off Bluetooth. Wait for about 5 seconds, then turn Bluetooth back on.
3. Check the manual that came with your car for more information on how to pair with a Bluetooth device. Most cars require a phone setup on the car display. 
4. If you've connected multiple phones to your car stereo, try renaming your device: Go to Settings > General > About > Name, and type a new name. Then try connecting again.
5. Update your device.
6. Make sure that your stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.

If you still can't connect, contact Apple Support."

Have a fantastic day!

I got an iPhone 13 for Christmas and was never able to use it in my 2010 Volvo (which worked beautifully with my 6s). Contacted Apple multiple times (all support persons said they didn’t know of the problem). Did everything recommended plus went to Volvo service twice.

Downloaded the 15.3 IOS software and it seems to be fixed!!! Yay!!! Called out and received a call as well. The only thing I notice is the phone disconnected from the car twice after a call ~ Apple please fix this too. I was parked in a lot so easy to reconnect but won’t be while driving.

It works! For my Mercedes 2012 I paired them then went into the phone settings on the car, selected Phone then my IPhone 13 iD as listed from the pairing and it works now. Thanks to the TMobile employee who helped figure this out!

Did you try the fix I posted? It worked for me.

It works! For my Mercedes 2012 I paired them then went into the phone settings on the car, selected Phone then my IPhone 13 iD as listed from the pairing and it works now. Thanks to the TMobile employee who helped figure this out!

I have an older outback and had the same issues you were describing - I deleted my pairing with my iPhone 13 Pro and used the push-to-talk feature on the steering wheel to pair the phone to the car. That’s what fixed it.

Thank you mitchell.sam - your solution worked for me as well (on an iphone 12 mini). I also needed to click the blue "i" information icon next to my car's device in my new phone's bluetooth settings to select Car Stereo as the Device Type. That, paired with your suggestion seemed to do the trick.

To everyone - I hope this helps you. Spent an hour on the phone today with Sr. Engineer at Apple. For 5 weeks I have been unable to pair my iPhone 13 Pro and my BMW335i (2013). Tried everything. Car software and iOS are currrent.

Turns out that the way the pairing worked (for me) finally (!) is that the car is NOT sending a code to the phone to enter. The car was waiting for me to enter the same code that I use to unlock my iPhone. When I entered that code, it allowed me to pair and I was able to complete the pairing by entering the phone unlock code again on a pop-up screen that appeared on my phone.

You have to disconnect your previous phone hooked up to the Bluetooth on your car using the settings on your car radio.

Okay everyone.

i was able to go in my radio settings and delete previous paired phones connected via Bluetooth. So depending on what system you have aka radio, find the settings or maybe find a forum for your car radio.. maybe you can get answer there.

[Edited by Moderator]

I was having this issue. I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a 21 accord. I deleted the phone from car and vice versa. Then restarted car and phone and paired them. Issue fixed.

I hope this helps someone else!

I’ve had a problem from Day 1 with my (Christmas present) new iPhone 13 connecting to my 2010 Volvo. Never had a problem with my iPhone 6S. I’ve gone around & around with Apple and went to 2 Volvo mechanics. Now I have an appointment with the Genius Bar in a store (??).

IOS 15.3.1 update did help to connect automatically now when I get in my car. I can make & stay on an entire call. Then Bluetooth disconnects and I have to keep manually reconnecting while driving. Very dangerous.

My phone is now consistently automatically connecting to my car and no longer drops calls or Bluetooth connection. This was after several months of reporting problems to Apple & on this discussion and getting nowhere. I went to an Apple store where someone reset my phone (it still didn’t work correctly but was better…I also had to reload my apps), and the last couple of IOS updates took care of the last of the problems. I now have IOS version 15.4.1. I’m still so surprised that this entire problem happened in the first place.