Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

I have an iPhone XS with IOS 17.2.1 on it, and I’ve been having Bluetooth instability issues as of late. I’m not sure if it’s exclusive to this most recent update. My connection to Bluetooth devices just drops out for a split second multiple times every couple of minutes and it’s really bothersome. Moreover, I wasn’t able to control Spotify with a UE speaker via the buttons and the connection was actually terminated for no apparent reason. Please fix this Apple!

iPhone 15 Pro

iOS 17.2.1

I have a similar problem on my iPhone 15 Pro.

Bluetooth voice call quality is poor and the connection drops nine times out of ten at around 40 seconds before reconnecting and being completely stable.

Spoken to numerous advisors and reset network settings, all settings, changed my phone name etc: STILL DOESN'T WORK.

After remotely checking my phone’s hardware and none of the resets having worked, their conclusion is that it’s the car manufacturers problem as the software in the car must need updated to support newer phones.

Key Points:

1) Connection is stable once it reconnects during a call after 40 seconds.

2) My partners iPhone 14 running 17.2.1 connects.

3) My old XR running 17 connects.

4) Calls via AirPods completely fine.

4) Support recommendations don’t make any difference bar needing me to redo FaceID, redo wifi and Bluetooth connections and restore all of my phone preferences one at a time.

Not happy.

Obviously, this is an Apple software problem! Many and most of us have brand new Bluetooth Apple devices (beside the Android or other 3rd party Brands, that Apple might refuse to consider as legit) and the same BT Connection-SICKNESS manifests, indiscriminately, on all of them.

i have transfer from iphone xr to iphone 15 pro. i didn't have any problem with xr, and since bluetooth issue on 15 pro is present, i don't have feeling that i bought new phone. instead, i got problems and bad image of apple.

Hi Andy

It disconnects from the car within a minute and keeps reconnecting and disconnecting . It’s gotten to the point where I just turn off phone Bluetooth and use the phone speaker to chat hands free on the phone holder.

Come on Apple please fix this issue 🥴

in my case it is random. I can be using Apple car play via wire and within a minute it can disconnect from my phone call. Sometimes it can take 10 minutes.

if I am using wireless Apple car play, same thing.

while using the car Bluetooth it goes into privacy few times while in a phone call.

I’ve been doing that. While in BT, goes to privacy then back again. Back to privacy then back again. I turnoff BT and use the speaker.

on Apple car play I have to disconnect the cable, connect again and can continue on the call.

this sucks.

Thanks AlexRiveraPR, specifically thinking about Bluetooth connections here, but that’s interesting on wired CarPlay.

I too have been having problems with wired CarPlay randomly dropping in my other car but I actually thought it was a cable connection issue using an older USB-C cable.

Come to think of it, the wired connection issue only started happening with the arrival of the 15 Pro as well!!!!!

Good morning everyone.

Just an update from my previous visit to the Genius Bar, so one of the staff told me that “HE NEVER HEARD THIS ISSUES” they did DIAGNOSTIC TEST on my iPhone 15P but BT no problem. They advised me to reset all settings but same no changes. Next step they advised me to bring it back to the Store so they can do FACTORY RESET. I’m thinking it’s only small BT issues they want to do FACTORY RESET!!! imagine if we do get any other issues - atm I’m waiting for the next IOS UPDATEs but seems still BT issues not fix yet.

I purchased my phone from Costco and have tried everything suggested to fix it, latest firmware, removing Bluetooth devices restarting and establishing connections, and even a factory reset but the issue persists. I can be connected to my BMW 3 series coupe (2013) listening to music through Bluetooth absolutely fine, as soon as a call comes through connection just drops. When this happens it leaves me with 2 options; (1) leave the caller suspended and unable to hear them, or (b) break the law (UK based) and touch the phone to put the phone in speaker mode. This is really not good enough.

Costco have a 90 day guarantee on phones, so I’ve contacted them today to arrange a return, refund and I will reorder another to see if it has the same issue… not holding my breath.

Ipods pro Same random cutting in and out with iPhone 14 Pro Max. (i don't use in the car though). Immediately began when i updated my 12 pro to 14 mid year. I had presumed my 1st Gen Airpods pro were just dying after 3 years. Bought the new Pro's. Still kept happening.

Tried all the work arounds. Exchanged the pods no difference. So 3 airpods and same issue.

2 trips to Apple and the guy said no issue with phone or pods hardware and that perhaps there is some kind of software corruption that occurred when i transferred my phone. It sounded like the solution! Reset phone and lost everything not in my icloud. Still not working properly. I have had it. Returning the airpods and i'll just use the old ones until something happens. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Where is Apple in this conversation? I have had nothing but Bluetooth connection issues with all iOS versions on my iPhone 15 Pro Max SINCE DAY 1 - consistent audio dropouts on phone calls and with Pandora, Apple Music, streaming to AirPod Pros, other bluetooth speakers, in car (including using Carplay in rental cars)... I am on 17.2.1 as of this writing. Is this a hardware issue? Just go get a replacement device?

Just thinking about if this is a software issue why is it only affecting a small percentage of owners. This has led me to start thinking what is semi unique about my setup, and the only thing that comes to mind is that I have 2 lines (physical SIM and eSIM).

Just wondering if that could have anything to do with it… do others experiencing this issue have dual SIMs installed, or are people experiencing the same issue with a single SIM?

Other things running through my mind are is this only affecting people in a particular country or on a specific network? I’m based in the UK with connections to Three and Lyca.

It would also be good to know if someone who thinks they don’t have these issues try connecting to a devices where someone is having known issues.

There is something odd here, but in the absence of Apple investigating (like they should) it’s left to the people paying £1200 to try and work out the issue for themselves 🙄

Good Qs.

I'm in Australia. I only have a physical SIM.

So it's not that.

I am seeing some recent posts that each mention vehicles around 2012/13 vintage, and there is commonality of Porsche/Audi/VW, but the sample size is too small to be meaningful.

The Apple technician felt there would be a conflicting setting, if in fact there is anything to be done prior to a miraculous software update.

I've found some people suggesting that wiping and restoring Network Settings specifically on the phone may do help.

See stage 3 here: https://www.tenorshare.com/ios-11/how-to-fix-iphone-bluetooth-issues-on-ios-11.html

I am yet to do that, but have done full phone erases and then restored on a new iPhone 15 Pro on iOS 17.2.1 and it did not assist.

But the disconnection pattern has altered somewhat. But it's still crap.

Bottom line; it's not eSIM's or UK network dependent.

Hi Beaulechien,

Apple support asked me to reset my network settings and all device settings.

Didn't resolve the problem and having to redo all the app setups is a pain (cookie tracking, location etc) not least redoing FaceID and having to update banking apps.

Wouldn’t recommend trying any resets - aftermath is frustrating.

Like you, I noticed the commonality of 2010-2013 ish Porsche/Audi/VAG comments. So suspect that’s a clue.

Some recent threads on X/Threads aka Twitter as well eluding to broader Bluetooth issues.