Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

I’m on a 15PM running 17.2.1 and I still have BT issues. I’ve had the phone since launch and ever since then, it connects to my cars Bluetooth but it doesn’t play through the stereo until I go to the connections tab and select it in there

Just got back from the Apple Store, where they confirmed that diagnostics show the iPhone to be fine on their end. Called Support back as asked, and sent in enhanced logs - case has been escalated to engineering. Have a callback on Wednesday midday EST to discuss their findings. This was all while running iOS 17.2.1. Just got a prompt for 17.3, and we’ll see if that fixes the issue…

I called Support (Canada) earlier and the agent went through some trouble-shooting with me (15 Pro 17. iOS 17.2.1). Unsurprisingly, it made no difference. The phone still does not connect with the Ford 2014 Ford Escape SE.

It is curious, though, that I can connect to AirPods, Amazon Echo (old one), and BT speakers around the house (again, old) without any problems.

I've sent a message to Ford about it to try and learn if they have other reports.

Looks like the original Q7’s nav system (Audi MMI) uses a bluetooth module with FCC certification Q24FSE355X.

That module was certified in 2004 and is probably using Handsfree Protocol 1.0 (as HFP 1.0 was widthdrawn in 2006). If someone else could figure out who made the actual Bluetooth chip in that module, that would be great.

To the poster with the 2013 320d coupe: that’s an E92, using the same bluetooth module as my cars. So no wonder we’re having the same issue…

To all others: keep the car make/models/year coming!!

This is not the first time we have this kind of issue with IPhones. Every second iOS release or new IPhone releases we have exactly the same issue and they fix it after 3-4 months. Now seems they have bigger priorities.

iOS 17.3 now. Almost crashed when a call dropped and tried to reconnect but the the iPhone blocked the car head unit and could not hang and struggled to force the speaker in the iPhone but since it was still connected to the car it was stubburn to switch to speaker.

1/3 rd of the iOS lifecycle has passed almost and no improvement and no more noise in the forums, I lost my hope. Need to buy a new car in order to keep my iPhone usable?!. Hahaha. Does nobody at Apple uses their own devices?

My iPhone 11 automatically updated to 17.2.1 a few days ago and ever since my 2017 Jeep Wrangler's UConnect bluetooth connection won't work for my phone. UConnect still works for my kid's older phones that have not been updated. I spent an hour troubleshooting the issue with UConnect customer support today, only to be told it's due to the iPhone update.

I forgot the UConnect network on my phone and factory reset my navigation unit (with UConnect) to unpair all previously paired phones. I repaired my phone with UConnect and still have the same problem: my iPhone will connect to bluetooth for a few seconds, then it disconnects and boots me back to the radio. I also went to the UConnect download site to type in my vehicle VIN and search for updates, but there are no updates...the vehicle software is current.

PLEASE FIX THIS APPLE!!!

Today 24/01/2024 I spoke with Apple support and was told that Apple will not adapt to older Bluetooth technologies and to literally throw away the Audi Q7 2015 for 100,000 Euros and buy a new one with Apple CarPaly :-) really excellent approach by Apple...! !!

iOS 17.3. Now. Re-paired car/phone: call was fine for all the duration of the call (over 10 minutes).

Then I got a call and the audio disconnected as usual from the car, the car showed a call ongoing but I had to fumble the phone to switch to speaker.

So, problem still present in iOS 17.3.

I just lost hopes.

Received an update from engineering. Their response was that unless it was reproducible (on my end) with other bluetooth devices, such as speakers, AirPods, that “no further action” was needed from them. I used back on this. First, because my AirPods do work fine, because, well, duh, they’re using a different bluetooth chip and a different bluetooth standard, and second, because the same bluetooth stuff worked just fine with my 14 Pro, and it’s using the same software.

The advisor is reaching out to engineering for an answer to my question - does this mean Apple basically is saying that anyone with a slightly older car (keep in mind in my particular case the same bluetooth system was used until 2016) will not be able to use bluetooth? Because if so what is their solution, to buy a new car? Unless they would like to cut a nice check for 2 new cars, I’d say no. I will keep pushing back for as long as it takes…

Will update the thread with a response.

The Apple senior advisor told me exactly this last night: well, if you have an older system in your car it sounds as if you'll need to update the radio software. I said, "I called the dealership and there is no update". She said, well, I guess you won't have functionality unless you get a new unit or car. I could not believe my ears. She also tried to tell me that since my battery was only 75% efficient, I should change it because that could affect bluetooth connectivity. I told her my battery is FINE and usually almost fully charged because I always plug it in when driving. SOOOO frustrating.

15 pro, peugeot 508, 2014

I have noticed when I make regular calls in car, 90% there no connection interruption. when i make calls on viber, WhatsApp or use google maps navigation, every time the phone disconnect from car play and I need to connect manually.

also when I use airpods 1-th gen, after 15-20 min, they disconnect from phone.

I have huawei smart watch 2 pro, sometimes also have issue with connection.

Previously I had iphone xr, worked PERFECTLY.

Here’s the response from engineering: It’s a compatibility issue between the iPhone and the bluetooth system (checks out). Due to the “advanced testing techniques” not being available when the car was new (not sure what that means?). The advisor was unable to answer why my 14 Pro works fine, but my 15 Pro doesn’t, beyond it being some sport of cutoff in terms of time (?). I also asked my advisor to clarify Apple’s position - what is the age of cars they support? What bluetooth standards are supported? I pushed for a more technical response.

They had me call BMW again/reach out to them for logs / guidance. BMW confirmed there was nothing further they could provide, that all logs/diagnostics had been run, and that everything checks out. Emailed my advisor with a response, we shall see what they say. Have a call scheduled tomorrow.

Guys, please remember, this is happening on 15 Pro, not just 15 Pro Max.

So please ensure that Apple gets told that.

And I’m dubious about this being limited to older cars.

there are a lot of reports about vehicles, especially German ones, 2010 - 2016 below.

there are NON CARPLAY, vehicles as a rule.

Later vehicles will likely be connecting via Apple Car Play. If you tried to connect as normal hands free, and it failed, you’d just switch to car play if available and no issues. Nothing to report.

So this could be a factor or it simply might explain why Apples techs haven’t detected this due to a car play focus.

Car Play 2 is on the way soon, isn’t it?

I wonder if that’s where the resources are going.

For mine, I increasingly think this is a chip issue which would lead to a massive embarrassment and product recall.

How long will it take for an alternative chip to make its way into phones?

iphone 16?

Agreed - please scan through my previous posts if you haven’t already done so.

I’ve tried to replicate problems on various devices (AirPods, speakers etc) but I only have issues with my 2013 car - I logged what I have tried last night.

I believe my AirPod Pro Gen 1’s are running BT 5.0 with later generations (2 & 3) are on 5.3.

Be helpful if folks having problems on other devices could start supplying details on their devices.

Bear in mind that devices are often designed years jn advance and may well be using older versions of Bluetooth.

If my AirPods bought jn 2021 are indeed BT 5.0, this is a spec devised in 2016. My 15 Pro works fine with them.

Cars will be the same … designed years before release with hardware older than that.

2010-2013 vintage cars will most likely on Bluetooth 2 variants. 2014-2020 cars might be on BT 4 variants. highly likely that the most recent cars will be on BT5.

Bluetooth 1: 1999-2003

Bluetooth 2: 2004 - 2009

Bluerooth 3: 2010

Bluetooth 4: 2010-2014

Bluetooth 5.0: 2016

Bluetooth 5.1: 2019

Bluetooth 5.2: 2020

Bluetooth 5.3: 2021