Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

Still having issues with my iPhone 15 pro in the car Feb 2024. It connects most of the time with the car but cannot use buttons in steering wheel yet works fine with my iPhone XS so it’s not the car.

Update: After turning off the Wi-Fi for a two of days, it worked perfectly, but then it started again with the same issue. Now I'll try resetting the network settings and see how it goes... If the issue persists, I'll contact support to know how to proceed, since they suggested trying the Wi-Fi deactivation test and then resetting the network settings.

Updated to 17.3.1 recently and was having issues with the bluetooth in my car (2016 Ford Fiesta - iPhone 15 Pro Max). Deleted both from each other and now it won’t even discover the car over Bluetooth.

Tried with my girlfriend’s phone (15 Pro Max but not on 17.3.1) and it connected straight away, so as most assume it seems to be a software issue.

I have exactly the same issue with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. Connectivity to my 2014 BMW 3-series (F30) with CIC-based iDrive system disconnects constantly. Purchased the iPhone on release day, and the problem has persisted through every version of iOS (currently at 17.3.1).

Problem doesn't exist on my old iPhone 12 Pro Max (also on iOS17.3.1). I have a case registered with Apple about this issue (Case ID 102101835139) and have had a support call from Apple where the technician remotely controlled my phone and ran a lot of tests but still no solution.

I have visited the Apple Store multiple times to talk with a genius and they want me to wipe my device and set up a clean profile and try again, but I require my device for work and have an MDM profile installed that will require a lot of work to remove, so I'm reluctant to do that only to discover by this thread that it won't fix it anyway. If I do wipe my device and it's still problematic, the Apple Store have offered me a replacement device - which won't fix the issue anyway (according to this thread).

I guess I'll just have to wait for Apple to fix it, or for the iPhone 16... whichever comes sooner.

Been following this thread for a while now. Initially found this forum after noticing that my 2012 Infinity QX56 and my launch date, iPhone 15 Pro Max was just unusable. Over these many months, I've been able to test this on the following Year/Make/Model vehicle's:

2012 Infinity QX56

2019 Honda Pilot Touring

2015 Honda Accord EX-L

2024 Kia Seltos EX

2018 Honda Civic Touring

From my small sample size of automobiles, this would appear to be related to the year of manufacture?

The only 2 I have problems with, are the 2012 Infinity and the 2015 Accord. Both exhibit Bluetooth connection and playback issues. No problems with later models.

I am and Electrical Engineer and RF is my specialty, but have zero (okay, not zero) knowledge of Bluetooth. That's about to change. There is a reason for what we're all experiencing and I'm going to find it.

Probably going to get pretty technical, so I'll start a new thread. I'll post a link, when I do.

@michalski17

PM me those 2 VIN's, of your late model Toyota and Chevy, if that's even possible on this site? Let's see who made those head-units. If not, see if you can figure it out for me. We're going to find something in common, without question.

Thanks for the post @TheBelcherMan, look forward to hearing more.

I'm also an Electrical Engineer with a background in telecoms/defence, but did spend some time working on RF and more recently IoT devices, which require BT connectivity. So know something, but not a lot.

From my experience, and what I've read here and online, I suspect a backwards compatibility issue at initial connection to older bluetooth chipsets (e.g designed to run BT specs 2 to 4) such as those found in older cars and most likely recent consumer electronic devices (older chips are probably abundant in supply chains and cheap to procure). I haven't yet managed to find a tear down comparing the BT/WiFi chipsets in the 15Pro/ProMax with older models i.e. XR through 14 Pro Max but the specifications across the 15 range does say BT Core Spec 5.3 which should be backward compatible.

In my use case, more often or not my iPhone15Pro gets kicked out in my 2013 Audi AMI at or around 40 seconds which correlates back to a specific timing point in the Bluetooth Core Specifications re loss of connections. I have no issues in a 2015 Mini or a 2018 VW Polo.

What I can't reconcile is why, after reconnection, the bluetooth connection remains stable. Its almost like the phone recognises that there is a compatibility issue and reverts to an older protocol. I can invoke the connection failure by asking siri a question, thereafter fully able to make calls.

Final point from me, it would appear to affect more devices that would use a lower data rate e.g. handsfree rather than streaming data rates e.g. A2DP. Which makes me wonder if the newer phones are trying to invoke data streaming protocols via bluetooth (i.e. CarPlay) only to default to low data rate BT on failure - ref back to previous paragraph.

Speaking of Mini Cooper's, I've not tested it on my R52. Long replaced that head-unit, but I still have it. I'll get it on the bench and see how it behaves. Be the perfect test environment, if it give me problems.

I'll start a new thread. We need a place of our own to work this out.

Let's see if this works,

Bluetooth Technical Thread

I am also noticing all my bluetooth devices randomly lose connection and can’t reconnect. This is getting very annoying.

I can assure you as of right now, 17.1 will not fix the issue and this is from actual experience.

BT Audio fixed on automobile. Re-enabled Car-media in car itself, then paired up. Working but sound is low. Will try undoing hearing aids first.

Yes, I installed 17.1 to see if the Bluetooth would work, but nope.

im returning it to the shop and keep my iPhone 12

I re-enabled my BT Audio through the automobile and not the phone. Works great now.

I think a 2-year iOS is a good idea. A year is too short. Macs go 2 or 3 years (or more) easily with regular updates for security, etc. More mistakes can be avoided with better testing ‘in the wild.’