Since iOS 17.5.1 update, Bluetooth no longer works and iPhone 11 Pro overheats. 😠

I am happy to be able to report that I have been able to regain control of Bluetooth on my iPhone SE3 and successfully connect and use my AirPod 2 earbuds.

A colleague on another forum suggested that one of my paired Bluetooth devices may be the cause of the problem. He advised me to delete all of the paired devices using Settings/Bluetooth. Unfortunately, I could not access the device list because it was not visible there. In fact, when I tried to turn-on Bluetooth to see if I could access the list, Bluetooth began cycling again. But instead of On/Off it was simply trying to turn-on continuously without actually doing so. It also appeared that the battery-drain issue was back. . .

As I was preparing to perform a wipe and restore of the iPhone (without using my data backup), I stumbled upon something that reminded me of the Bluetooth toggle available via Control Panel. I continued reading some of the related online search hits when I found an article that said that the Bluetooth toggle does not actually turn-off Bluetooth, it disconnects all of the devices that are attempting to use the feature. That was news to me.

So I used the toggle and then went to Settings/Bluetooth. The device list was visible for the first time since the problem began and I deleted the AirPods and 3 Bluetooth speakers. I was also able to turn Bluetooth Off/On. I then re-paired the Airpods and for the last couple of hours, Bluetooth has been working normally.

I think that the AirPods was the only device trying to use Bluetooth since the speakers were either unused or out of range since the problem began. The AirPods are usually my computer desk when not in use.

I doubt that this actually fixes the bug that causes the symptoms that I've experienced. But at least it gives me some control should it occur again. At least I can (hopefully) stop the accelerated battery-drain problem that added insult to injury when combined with being unable to use any Bluetooth devices.

I am happy to be able to report that I have been able to regain control of Bluetooth on my iPhone SE3 and successfully connect and use my AirPod 2 earbuds.

A colleague on another forum suggested that one of my paired Bluetooth devices may be the cause of the problem. He advised me to delete all of the paired devices using Settings/Bluetooth. Unfortunately, I could not access the device list because it was not visible there. In fact, when I tried to turn-on Bluetooth to see if I could access the list, Bluetooth began cycling again. But instead of On/Off it was simply trying to turn-on continuously without actually doing so. It also appeared that the battery-drain issue was back. . .

As I was preparing to perform a wipe and restore of the iPhone (without using my data backup), I stumbled upon something that reminded me of the Bluetooth toggle available via Control Panel. I continued reading some of the related online search hits when I found an article that said that the Bluetooth toggle does not actually turn-off Bluetooth, it disconnects all of the devices that are attempting to use the feature. That was news to me.

So I used the toggle and then went to Settings/Bluetooth. The device list was visible for the first time since the problem began and I deleted the AirPods and 3 Bluetooth speakers. I was also able to turn Bluetooth Off/On. I then re-paired the Airpods and for the last couple of hours, Bluetooth has been working normally.

I think that the AirPods was the only device trying to use Bluetooth since the speakers were either powered-off/unused or out of range since the problem began. The AirPods are usually my computer desk when not in use.

I doubt that this actually fixes the bug that causes the symptoms that I've experienced. But at least it gives me some control should it occur again. At least I can stop the accelerated battery-drain problem that added insult to injury when combined with being unable to use any Bluetooth devices.

I hope that this info helps others who have been stymied so far in their attempts to mitigate similar Bluetooth woes.

Hey I have an iPhone 13 mini too! I was talking to the support team and they told me, that this is a issue ios 17.5.1 has! They’re trying to fix this asap ! So don’t do anything with your phone !

What car do you drive? My car is a 2015 VW and I've been having these exact same issues with bluetooth since 17.5.1. I know quite a few things about cars, so I was pretty confident I could fix my car's bluetooth myself, but after multiple hours of work and fully rewiring parts of the electrical harness, it still wasn't working. Took it to a VW dealership and they told me I had already tried everything they could have thought of and the only option to fix it would be to replace the whole entertainment system. Then I saw people saying they've been having the same issue after updating to 17.5.1.

I'm a computer scientist by trade so looking at the technical side of things, I suspect the iOS update impacted the phone's backwards compatibility with older bluetooth versions. In 2015, the most recent bluetooth version was 4.2. Currently it's 5.3, and while bluetooth is supposed to be compatible with all prior versions, I'm suspicious that the iOS update is interfering.

So, if you don't mind me asking, what year is your car? If it's 2020 or prior, my theory could be correct.

Try and force restart the iPhone to see if the issues persist

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Having same problem with iOS 17.5.1 on iPhone 15 Pro. Even got an express replacement (a whole new phone!) because I thought the device was defective. Brand new iPhone 15 Pro (manufacture date April 2024) having the exact same problems. Embarrassing for Apple. Not upset I have a fresh battery and screen, though :-)

definitely a software bug

Hello~ Click on below…

Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

I’m having similar problems with my iPhone 15 Pro Max after updating to 17.5.1 yesterday. Bluetooth is no longer able to play audio using my car as output device.

The connection is made but no audio is transmitted. When using Apple Music it seems that it tries to switch audio device several times (pausing and playing), but stops completely after a few tries.

This looks like a regression impacting several users.

Same issue, after being forced update to iOS 17.5.1 (automatic update was switched off!), my iPhone 13 encounters very unstable connection via Bluetooth with my car's audio system.

I can trigger a connect, but the bluetooth get disconnected in the next second.

The issue was not there in iOS 17.4.2.

apple please fix the issue.

I find that when my headset or some other bluetooth device wont connect, I turn bluetooth off/on on the iPhone then it connects.

Wont connect to my 2019 Ford truck on its own but have not fiddled with it much.

With all due respect, your response (which is stating the obvious while ignoring all of the evidence) is not very helpful. If restoring an iPhone from a backup reverted it to its previous iOS version, then it would probably prove to be useful in this situation. And we know that restoring an iPhone as "new" installs the current iOS version, so again it is not helpful. If restoring from a backup fixed the issues, then we have would have seen multiple posts to that effect.

When so many people report the same issue immediately after an iOS upgrade, it is logical to assume that the upgrade is the likely culprit. Since there are so many hardware, software and configuration variations represented in the affected user base, it is unlikely that it is caused by iPhone settings that were working fine prior to the iOS upgrade.

Yes, downgrading to the previous iOS version would be a great option if Apple would make it possible to do so. . .

Yesterday I spent the better part of an hour on the phone with two different Apple lowest-tier tech support reps. My first call was disconnected after 40 minutes with the first tech named "Jasmine" who ran through several trouble-shooting checklists and finally ran a remote hardware test. She had told me that she would call me back if we were disconnected but she never did. Could it have something to do with it turning 5pm in Atlanta? (I'm on the west coast.)

The second tech said that the hardware test found something wrong with Bluetooth on my iPhone SE3. Since the closest Apple Store is 300 miles away, my options are to ship the phone to Apple or take it to Best Buy or a local Apple reseller. And since my 2 year old phone is not warrantied and she assumed that the issue is hardware-related, it probably means having to purchase a replacement SE or "upgrading."

She offered to transfer my call to a local repair option to schedule an appointment. I asked for a specific Apple reseller which was on her list and she agreed to do that. The phone rang and then I was instantly on hold (with no greeting but there was terrible music) for around 5 minutes.

Then a woman came on the line and said "First thing, what is your name?" There was a pause and I started talking but there was more silence. . . Suddenly she was back asking me "What is your name again?" She hadn't heard anything I said because I had been on hold again while she checked their records for my name.

I told her my name again and she said she couldn't find it, which was odd because I have done repair business with the Apple reseller I had requested. Then she asked "Have you never been to this Best Buy store?" Not as a Geek Squad repair customer, no. . . I then thanked her for her time and hung-up.

I am currently considering my options, such as they are. . . LOL

Have problem with bluetooth too after 17.5.1 update. 13 Pro Max.

Bluetooth works with everything except macbook Sonoma 14.5 (23F79).

Switching on and of , and reboot of both devices didn't help.

Same issue Ios 17.5.1 broke Bluetooth driver

iPhone 14 max disconnection every 10 seconds. Congrats apple.