Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

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?

I have a 15 Pro, so don’t worry, Apple is aware of that! I’m thinking it’s the way Apple has implemented Bluetooth 2.1 on the 15 Pro’s Bluetooth stack. Some low level firmware stuff going on. Tomorrow may very well be my last update with this iPhone, unfortunately.

I also tried in a 2016 BMW Z4 (went for a test drive). Same issue there.

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

Quick check online suggests that AirPods use the following Bluetooth versions.

What AirPods are folks having problems with?

(My Airpod Pro Gen 1 are fine with my 15 Pro)

AirPods Gen 1 : Bluetooth 4.2

Airpods Gen 2: Bluetooth 5.0

AirPods Gen 3: Bluetooth 5.0

AirPods Max: Bluetooth 5.0

AirPods Pro Gen 1: Bluetooth 5.0

AirPods Pro Gen 2: Bluetooth 5.3

I believe I still have my old set of 1st gen AirPods. I’ll see if they’re also having issues with my phone too.

We may be on to something regarding bluetooth versions…

@daveojr - you mention back in December that Apple was aware of the bluetooth bug. Any chance you still have an open ticket there or any additional info?

Yes, I have it in the support app still. I was told by another senior advisor whom I was speaking to a few weeks back about my son's Apple Watch battery drain that there is zero mention of a Bluetooth issue with the 15 Pros or Pro Max or any other iPhones so she said I was probably told a line to pacify me because there was no answer. The problem is I can't call back on it at the moment because I am a version ahead.

Interesting. I’ll bring it up in any event tomorrow.

Your Q5 Prestige should have MMI with nav - and that’s bluetooth 2 if I recall correctly (can you stream audio over bluetooth)?

I also wrote to Craig, as a last ditch effort. So we’ll see what happens…

Yes, mmi with nav and a B&O audio system. Not sure if that would make a difference. O cannot stream music via Bluetooth. 2012 is when that was available for Audi. I was using the Bluetooth adapter mentioned in a previous post in the past. Currently, I have an aftermarket Carplay module that is installed in the back of the MMI unit. Quite a nice unit as it makes it almost like it's factory-installed. That has hardwire and Bluetooth. And no, the same issues with that Bluetooth which I believe is Bluetooth 5. Even when I have the hardwire in and try to make a call it disconnects and then locks up the MMI until I disconnect the wire and have to wait a minute or so for everything to work again.

Hi- it's a pain but I can connect AirPods by putting them in my ears, hearing the gong, then go to settings and turn Bluetooth off for a few seconds and turn on - it works. I'm referring to the slider at the top. My 10-year-old BMW F30 is the same. If it will not connect - do the same as above. it takes a bit longer but connects. Every time I get In my car I have to do this. I don't expect Appele to own up to this as they won't want to admit defeat - they must quietly and surely fix this Bluetooth issue. This is the first time that I can remember Apple being in trouble globally. Ios 17.3 is the latest and I was expecting a fix - it didn't happen.

That is really concerning. I’ve been pondering installing a CarPlay unit in my BMW - a mr12volt unit which does audio over fiber optics and would tap in to the original microphone for a OE-level setup. But if you’re having issues with modern bluetooth codecs and CarPlay, then the issue must well and truly lie with the 15 Pro. There is simply no other explanation.

Ok. I’m really grasping at straws here.

I’m going to try turning on hearing aid compatibility (in accessibility settings), and flagging my car’s bluetooth system as a hearing aid. Ostensibly reduces interference, so we’ll see if that has any affect on staying connected…

Of course, they said they could not replicate the problem, and to take my hearing aids to the doctor's office. I had already done so. There was nothing wrong with my hearing aids, but he did say to me that he had seen many people who were having problems with their new Apple phones. Tech responded that he was wrong and that I had done something wrong. I went to see a "genius," who was anything but, and he said he thought it was a software problem and he was "sure" Apple was working on it. That was six weeks ago. Apple sold me a 1200 dollar paperweight

Ran across quite a few threads about hearing aids not working with the 15 Pro, especially when it first came out. allegedly these issues were fixed with 17.2 (but it sounds like they weren’t after all?). Sounds like an escalation to senior support is in order.

I was under the impression the issues had been fixed, which I why I thought forcing the car Bluetooth to be a hearing aid might change things. I’ll bring the hearing aid stuff up tomorrow too with support.

Well suddenly my Bluetooth to my 10 year old BMW F30 is working - connecting as it should - but my AirPods still require the procedure of placing on ears - hearing the connect gong - have to go to Bluetooth under setting and turn of Bluetooth with the green slider than back on I can live with that - however since my net Model 15 pro cost heaps I’m expecting it to work as promised and be fit for purpose

My Magsafe charges with iPhone 15 iOs17.3 work fine. While I'm here the Bluetooth to my BMWF30 has started working - it was a pain for a while but mysteriously it works now. Airpods still need the workaround of placing them in my ears - hearing the gong - open Bluetooth on my iPhone go to the slider at the top turn off Bluetooth and turn it on again to make it connect.