Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

Just upgraded to 17.3 and still have the same issue. My iPhone 15 Pro Max on iOS17.3 keeps dropping and reconnecting the bluetooth connection on my Audi Q5. You understand that with this bug you put the drivers on risk of an accident. Really disappointed that after so many months you still didn't fix the issue!!

I did. They said it was software. Their fix was telling me I HAD to pay for iCloud to back up instead of using my computer to back up/restore (it took weeks to finally back up the whole thing because my service while traveling and home WiFi aren't great). I went back the next day to get some basic instructions on how to erase and start all over again, not restoring from total back up. I couldn't get help doing that in the store because 1) it was still saving to iCloud, and 2) I needed to have my phone and also didn't have enough hours the store was open to stay while it transferred (had I had it fully backed up & ready to go). I have not taken the time to call Apple Care back yet. I keep putting it off because it's been such a long process just to get the phone up and running, because the transfer failed six times, and I haven't wanted to be without a phone. I live two hours from the closest Apple Store. If I weren't already so tangled up in their stupid system and it were economically feasible at this point, I'd just get a different phone. I traded in my 12 Pro for this junk! >:(

I updated my 15 pro to 17.3. and I can confirm now it’s even worse than the previous update 😃 My car is Peugeot 508, 2014. When I use for calls usually there is no problem with bluetooth connection. When I use at the same time navigation on phone, the connection brakes.

UPDATE: the network reset did NOT fix my bluetooth connectivity problem. The only thing that corrects it is repairing my phone every single time I get into my car. This is a huge inconvenience as it takes several minutes to do so via the voice prompts in UConnect. Oddly, my phone is still in UConnect and the system recognizes it's paired, but for some reason the only way I can actually play sustained audio via bluetooth is to repair. Trying to discern if this is an iOS 17+ version issue, or if my car radio needs an update (UConnect update center on the website says it does not).

Having same problems as most on here- senior adviser tried to say it’s car yesterday 🫨 - I stopped her short before she suggested that if you get a 15 pro max you also need to get a new car to make Bluetooth work 😜. Downloaded 17.3 to see if that works- will try tomorrow in car

"My partner's phone is running 17.2.1 and she had no issue connecting. Next step will be for me to see if I can reconnect her phone to the car."

I omitted a vital detail: her phone is a XR. (so, it follows that the issue is hardware related, no?)

I have a 15. It’s also become my favorite paperweight. Spotty reception been happening almost from the start. I own a 2015 Porsche Cayman and 2016 Macan. Same problem. Even cuts out on my JBL speaker.

@HOODY, that is a great point. I did not even think about that fact. But, it still leads me to believe it's a software issue that is related to the new chips. I just think Apple can't figure this out yet. ****

[Edited by Moderator]

This is happening to me also. Have paired and unpaired my phone to my car’s Bluetooth several times. Sometimes it says paired but then doesn’t connect . Or connects for a few seconds then drops again. Very frustrating . This is new iPhone Pro Max. Less than 4 weeks old. Seemed to work for a week. Not sure if the update happened after that. This shouldn’t be happening. Running iOS 17.2.1. Phone costs too much for me to be not able to make a call over my phone or use GPS . Neither Maps or Google Maps work. Very frustrating.

I figure something new out as far as my specific issue concerning bluetooth on the 15 Pro Max….. so my phone connects to play audio but for some reason it does not connect to allow handsfree features.

Meaning bluetooth “audio” connection works with my phone connected to my car but for some reason when i try and place a call through my car it states there is no “handsfree” Bluetooth linked….

Device: iPhone 15 Pro Max on 17.3

Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Venza with an OEM radio w/o Navigation

Hi, I have a 10-year-old F30 BMW Diesel 3 series. No carplay just a straight phone connection. Bluetooth to my car from iPhone 15 pro worked fine until the last ios update a few days ago Previously my air pods would not connect - now they do - however, this new issue is driving me crazy I have an ios17 .3 What are apple doing with the bluetooth? Fix one issue and cause another.

@HOODY, I have an AirPod Pro Gen 1, various Bluetooth speakers, and a couple of Levoit and Govee smart home products that require Bluetooth during setup...all have issues connecting or staying connected to my 15PM.

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?

It's quite concerning that after several months, there has been no public recognition of this issue from Apple. I'm located in the UK and would like to know how we can collectively address this. (My previous post just got removed, due to I mentioned "Lxgxl Axtixn")....wow seriously?

For context, my iPhone operates seamlessly with the Tune2Air in my 2012 AUDI Q5 (running iOS 17.2.1). However, the problem arises when I receive a phone call, at which point the connection to the car's Bluetooth is lost. It's been fine before with iOS 16 and my iPhone XS Max.

I’m a little disappointed in the way Apple (a) are not accepting there is an underlying issue with the phone hardware/software, and (b) the way they are instructing people to go and replace your car. This phone costs upwards of £1200, it’s simply not good enough being unable to use Bluetooth, what next… a phone that you can’t call certain numbers and advised to get new friends?!?!

I will sadly be leaving this conversation now, as my phone is going back to store for a full refund, I’ll think twice before even considering an Apple product going forward which is sad for someone who is so heavily invested in their ecosystem.

For those poor souls who don’t have the option of returning the product, I wish you luck in getting this sorted… hopefully Apple do the right thing and say “Houston we have a problem”!!

Come on Apple, this is not the right way to treat your customers.