Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

My iphone 15 Pro running on iOS 17.0.3 lost bluetooth function completely around 3:40PM today while I entered a shopping mall. Went straight to the Apple store in this mall (Chadstone, VIC, AUS) and was advised this is a known issue pending on new bug fixing package all I can do is wait :(

If anyone’s down for a class action, lmk

Sorry, I’m having a different kind of issue.

I will lose connection for usually 3 to 5 seconds. During that time, it’s complete silence, then when it reconnects, the music that would have played during that 3 to 5 seconds kicks back in but plays at double time until it catches up to where it would be had the music been playing consistently the whole time. Then it returns to normal speed playing. Almost as if you’re forcing the song to play faster until it catches up to where it should be.

[Edited by Moderator]

I called Apple Support and demanded to talk to someone who knows something about anything. I finally was connected to someone who stated that Apple is aware of the Bluetooth connectivity issue. Granted, they had no immediate solution but assured me that Apple is working on the problem and that a fix will be coming via an downloadable Apple iPhone update. Of course they were short of saying when we can expect to receive that fix.

So, at least they recognize that there is a problem and a fix is in the works.

OK, Building on this, I logged a ticket with Apple support on the phone.

Very helpful and understanding.

The fact that the car headhunt had been replaced and validated was significant.

All the following refers to iOS 17.2.1 on iPhone Pro 256MB.

She made a Genius appointment for me at my (not so) local Apple Store.

So, full diagnostic on phone. Fine.

Full BlueTooth check. Fine.

Suspect software issue with the cause being in an unidentified setting. Ok.

Great.

What next?

Back up phone.

Full wipe.

Base restore WITHOUT loading my data. So I basically have a virgin phone.

I return to car to test. (There is no way known the Apple staff member will accompany me to the car park, 2 minutes away).

Groundhog day.

Issue identical.

They offer to replace ALL the inner workings of my phone within 1.5 hours.

I ask if we can cut to the chase and just replace the phone.

Back room conversations.

They replace the phone.

Other phone stuff happens.

They are supportive and helpful.

I try to connect with new virgin phone.

My own data not yet loaded.

The Groundhog says hello again.

I update all my data.

Try the car connection again.

It still fails.

FWIW - the immediate tell tale sign, is that when I dial out, the car stereo continues to play. The music doesn't stop. EVERYTIME.

I return to store.

This time the senior tech comes out.

She is very empathetic and helpful.

Offers to continue replacing my phone.

Suggests this is a software issue - which I now agree with, due to this experience and other comments here.

She says these forums are monitored.

Continue posting.

Tells me that Apple doesn't not acknowledge such issues.

They just issue the fix with a software update and release it.

Keep up to date.

Basically, continue to tolerate the situation and stay in touch.

I now consider that this is stuffed.

There is no current solution apart from praying to the great Apple Gods that a software release fixes this.

I am not holding my breath.

I am too deep i the ecosystem to go Android.

My old phone was traded in.

The car dealership is going to swap the phone module i my car under warranty, but I believe this will have no effect. (Porsche have been amazing). I intend to contact a couple of high end car stereo/technology upgrade specialists.

But suspect ROI would be poor.

The good news is that the September iOS and phone upgrade is only 8 months away.

That's my best chance.

Got IP 15 recently and as i experienced BT connection with my car and some Alexa speakers i decided to go yo the Apple store. Thy tested the bluetooth and sait it is working, but since it was under warranty they offered to replace all the internal hardware. I had doubts it will help, as i saw IOS 17 complained for other models. Still i went for it and after 2 hours i had to go to Verizon to reactivate the phone. It worked well for a few days and now i have the same problems again….

so it is quite certain a software problem

Waiting for Apple to fix it

I'm having this issue, I have the latest version of iOS (17.2.1) is installed on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. When connecting to my car's Bluetooth (BMW E92) the connection drops mid way through any calls normally within the first minute or so. I never had this issue with my iPhone 12 pro conncted to the same car. Are Apple actually doing anything about this hardware/software bug... I will be returning my phone to Costco if this does not get fixed soon. Not good when spending c.£1200 on a phone.

Thanks for all you are doing Hoody007, much appreciated.

I have a few frustrations with engineering's response to you:

1) Irrespective of whether it is reproducible across your devices, it is reproducible on other models of cars across the world as evidenced in this forum. So that should should raise a concern on their part.

2)Others in this forum (for example DaveOJr) have clearly stated they have reproducible problems on multiple devices beyond cars, so that is contrary to what they are telling you in (1). Perhaps engineering should contact some of the others on this forum.

3) The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are sold as having Bluetooth 5.3 functionality. In principle, Bluetooth is backwards compatible where to my understanding, 5.3 is compatible with devices back to 2.1, circa 2007.

4) Reflecting on Point (3), at no point during the sales process was I advised that if I was driving a 2013 Audi A4 that I should consider buying a new car in order to get access to the full functionality of the pro models as backwards compatibility of bluetooth was not guaranteed (or is it even tested?).

5) Why does an iPhone 6, XR, 14, 14 Pro and 15 all work in my car, but my 15 Pro doesn't. What's the difference between the 15 Pro and the other devices?

I am having the same problem with my iPhone 15 Pro (not Max) and my car's head unit (non CarPlay). The dealership has replaced the head unit with all firmware updates - under my car's OEM extended warranty. Bless it and the dealership.

The problem commenced with the new iPhone running all versions of the iOS from 17.0 > 17.2.1

It may be software.

But I am wondering if it is hardware - has there been a bad batch of Bluetooth modules included in manufacture?

I am wondering this because clearly, many of us are having this issue, but not everyone.

Has anyone had any success speaking to Apple about getting their phone swapped over?

I think this is my next trouble shooting step.

Exactly what everyone says about Bluetooth connectivity issues for iPhone 15PM, updates are all up to date, geniuses at Apple Store think that there is nothing wrong as usual they are useless people who never solve any issues with iPhones.

What is it going to take for Apple to begin solving Bluetooth issues along with other problems?

Same problem on Mazda CX-9 2015.

Bluetooth connection is stable for Audio diffusion (no CarPlay, just standard audio via Bluetooth) but as soon as I have a phone call, Bluetooth disconnects after 40s as well…

Bluetooth is not working. It is so bad that I am thinking of going to Android. Apple is ignoring the issue.

I followed steps 1-5. DID. NOT. WORK. Apple, please actually fix this. Your fancy & expensive new phone spontaneously disconnects from my car--and my APPLE TV device. Please create a post when you have some real fix to the problem. Don't bother with apologies or other noise. I'm currently a huge detractor of this device and I really want to be able to flip back to promoter.

'Been following this thread for weeks.

'Tried everything that's been suggested, including installing (not the Alpha, but...) the B*** iOS. I'd write out the full word, but when I do, my post gets deleted.

I'm now awating my 3rd replacement iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Do I think the BT in that 3rd phone will work? No!

I don't believe it's a software issue. I think it's a hardware issue.

...and they're sure moving mighty slowly to fix it.

I'd suggst everyone reading this should make noise on Social Media about it.

dc

It is. The only iPhone with WiFi 6E.

Talked with senior support today, where I gave them additional info. Their last point of triage from engineering was to make sure the software was updated on the car side (it is) and to call the manufacturer of the “accessory”. BMW phone support is practically useless with this stuff, so I’ve reached out to Harman/becker, the manufacturer of the module used for Bluetooth in my BMW (and many other cars too).

The Harman/becker data sheet for the Bluetooth system used by BMW in my car shows that the Bluetooth chip is a CSRBC06. This chip is probably used by all the other manufacturers’ Bluetooth systems which are affected, and very likely with other Bluetooth systems as well.

Engineering is engaged. I gave more info on my specific BMW model/bluetooth system, even sent over the engineering specs and data sheet I had from years ago. Have a call tomorrow with them as well.

Oh and this thread most definitely came up (from my end)!