iPhone 13 Pro loses bluetooth connection to car 2-8 minutes after starting a phone call

All,

I am happy to announce that Apple Support contacted me this morning to inform me of update 15.2. This update has fixed my problem so far. No more disconnects during phone calls in my Tundra.

Please do this update and post your results here.

Thank you Apple Support for listening to our feedback!

I tried everything including upgrading to 15.3 and had the same experience. Watch off = no issues. Watch on and I would have issues 2-10 min into a call. I had an Apple Watch series 2. I just went out and bought a series 7 last week and have done 8 calls so far with zero issues.

Hi all, I have the same issue with the calls getting dropped or messed up several minutes into the call while on bluetooth. This problem also happens on any other bluetooth (airpods and other devices also have this issue so it isn't your car)

Apple support had me test 2 things.

1st - do a reset all settings - this did not fix it but did fix some other issues I didn't know I had. Apparently transferring from an iphone XR some of your settings are different on a 13 pro.

2nd - turn off my apple watch. After doing the reset all settings on my phone, I was able to reproduce my issue 3 times with the watch on. After turning the watch off, i've made 6 calls on bluetooth at 20+ minutes and haven't had the issue again. I don't know what this means yet as my iphone xr didn't have any issues with bluetooth and my watch.

I have exact same issue. I have an Apple Watch too which seems to interfere with Bluetooth. When I turn the watch off, the connection doesn’t drop. Beyond that Apple can’t do anything. Do you have a Apple watch paired?

Updating to 15.3 fixed, deleting my phone from the car then re-pairing works now, hope you can get a fix. I feel your frustration.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone had any improvement by going into the bluetooth settings for their vehicle and change the device type to car stereo? I noticed this wasnt set to anything, I set it to car stereo and i have not had a call drop yet. I also have iOS 15.2... I really havent had enough time to test it completely, but I did have a 9 min conversation without it dropping. there was some interference/echoing when I spoke back to the other person... I don't know if that was me or them. Also, they called me, not me calling them... I have a 2017 Toyota Tacoma with the stock premium JBL sound system.

I had a Toyota shop tell me that they have ALWAYS had issues when it comes to apple and iOS with keeping up with updates for the Etune radios in their vehicles. They said they have seen less issues when contacts are not allowed and the connected device is only used for music , but in all respect, Toyota should make it ALL work together anyways. With the the new iphone13 , I personally think it’s a hardware issue with the Bluetooth in the device and not in IOS.

im no Apple guru , just my opinion. I know when using Apple AirPod pros, connected to my 2018 Toyota Tundra, or my Blue Parrot hands free headset, i have connectivity issues with all three.

Only way that I’ve figured out to temporarily fix the issue is to toggle from the connected Bluetooth device in IPhone Audio while on a call from connected Bluetooth device to speaker, to iPhone, back to Bluetooth device. Usually it takes 1,2 or maybe 3 times doing this and it will reconnect back to the Bluetooth device for an unknown period of time before having to repeat. Also , I have noticed there seem to be certain areas where it “triggers” the connectivity issues, which leads me to believe it could be a 5g issue as well, but that’s just speculation for now

I have the same problem with dropping calls. I have a 2017 Tundra and an iPhone 12 with 15.1.1. The only workaround that I’ve found is to connect the USB cable from my truck to the phone. This may cause your phone to connect to the dock but you need to switch it back to Bluetooth. This has prevented the dropped call issue. I hope this helps.

What a lifesaver: thank you. Plugged in my phone with the cord today in the 4Runner and spoke for an hour on two different calls without a drop. Not the best but at least I have a solution. Thank you.

Thanks for the advice provided here, I don't know if it has anything to do with iOS 15.2, but turning off my Apple Watch solved the issue. I had to remove and add my device a few times in the infotainment system, but I managed to get my 12 pro max connected after 3 - 4 attempts..

I have also XC60 and the same problem since iPhone 12 14.4 and now with 13 Pro Max until 15.2.

Updated my car at Volvo dealer did not help, so save your money and don't do it.

What I can recommend to you, is to get the iOS 15.3 public b. You can have at least incoming calls working again. Or just wait a little for the release of official version.

I spent the time with apple tech support and senior tech support. There is no fix. I am going the route of a new after market radio system that supports Apple Play. I ask support if there was data that proved an after market system with apple play would fix, I couldn’t get a 100% positive from support that this would be a fix but a possibility. At the very least, Apple needs to have a consumer disclosure to check if their phones are compatible with your car manufacturer for all advertised functions. It’s a big deal to me in my profession to have this function and wish I would have known that it wasn’t functional.

I had this exact problem as described in the original post. I took my 2019 Toyota 4Runner to the dealership and it is a Toyota issue. They do not have an update for the Bluetooth that is compatible with the iPhone 13’s. Only iPhone 12 or earlier as of now.

Hi, I am not sure how the 15.3 availability is offered in areas or phone. Hopefully you have received the update by now. So, YES!!! I used my handsfree bluetooth on 3 very long calls today and none of them dropped!! I am so THANKFUL for this apparent fix. I drive a 2018 toyota forerunner and have the 13 pro max.