How do I fix Bluetooth connection issue on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 18?

For the Tesla keycard problem, someone somewhere posted the suggestion to do a soft reset on the iPhone (click up volume button, release, click down volume button, release, press main on button and hold until the Apple logo appears). They reported that doing this once a day cleared the problem. It works for me. Whether it solves other Bluetooth disconnect problems I don't know but worth a try.

this worked for me

 Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings. 

This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

Everyone who is having the issue of Wifi/Bluetooth not turning on. I believe its an issue with 18.1.

please try removing your simcard and then resetting network settings it should work.

i had same issue with my 12promax but after removing sim and resetting network settings it worked.

Ok, I have installed 18.3 and was able to drive for a while without a single drop.

But...one thing I noticed, I wasn't with my Apple Watch during this last test.

The I have realized my Apple Watch was acting a little weird for a while asking me the unlock password all the time even if I just unlock it and move my arm, it asks again (I end up turning pass key off because I couldn't find any fixes for my watch and was also considering maybe the wrist detection sensor was buggy).

That said, here is a new theory:

Anyone experiencing these Bluetooth connection drops were using their Apple Watch at the same time?

If so, did you try to turn your watch off?

I still need to repeat my test...get a situation when it drops almost evert 2-5 seconds and try to turn off my watch to check what happens.

It could be a faulty bluetooth in my Apple watch making the bluetooth connection between my iPhone and car sound to drop. Who knows...

I run my iPhone hardware diagnostics and no issue were found on its bluetooth.

I also tried to find a Apple Watch hardware diagnostic procedure but it seems it doesn't exist.

Any other insights?

Thanks!

Same problem as everyone else. Bluetooth disconnects reconnect disconnect. Deleted apps reinstalled the apps, same problem, disconnect. What worked for me was to close the tabs for settings and all apps i was having trouble with. Boom everything reconnected, all is working now.

After 3 different phone calls to support for 40+ minutes, Apple is finally sending me a replacement phone. I tried everything to get my Bluetooth working but it still kept disconnecting from all my Bluetooth devices.

After I saw this I realized I started having my problems right after I set up some vocal shortcuts! I just turned it off and hopefully my problems will finally go away!! Thank you so much!

This is also happening to me, I'm in iOS 18 Public Beta. I'd say if you rewlly want this to stop at once, make a back-up and then factory reset your phone. Reply to me if you still have problems.

Hi,

I have this issue since ios 17 and before ios 18 it wasn’t solved till I turn off the option in privacy->location services->networking and wireless and boom the problem solved.

Unfortunately, after ios 18 update the problem returns back even that option is turned off.

To describe the problem, it is a Bluetooth connectivity issue with random connect and disconnect procedure which becomes worse when the wifi is turned off and the phone is on cellular. For instance, you are listening to music and the phone rings, the Bluetooth goes off and the apple watch doesn’t ring after 5 second or the phone is connected to car player and after couple of seconds it connects automatically to the airpods.

I have reported this issue since ios 17 to apple but nothing changed. Hope to see an update to resolve this issue.

Best, Shayan

So, I spent over two hours trying to troubleshoot this issue today with Apple Tech Support. Completely wiped my phone and reloaded from backup with iOS 18. Nothing worked and the same issue with Bluetooth dropping out whenever I do or touch anything with the iPhone still exists. This will have to be a software correction via an update. As I am traveling I am not at home but I can only imagine that this will be screwed up on CarPlay as well. I am pretty disappointed that none of this worked and am hoping they correct this soon.

This method clears all network settings, including Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections, potentially fixing deeper issues. Here are the steps to reset network settings:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
• Tap "Reset"
• Choose "Reset Network Settings"
• Enter your passcode if prompted
• Confirm the reset

i did this and my music works in my car again

SUCCESS! Try this 2 step process: Recycle "Airplane Mode" and then recycle "Bluetooth" on your phone. Then try pairing your SONY Wireless Headphones... It worked for me after trying all types of things....

[Edited by Moderator]

same same here

iPhone 12 on IOS18.2 / iPhone 15 Pro max on IOS 18.2 different hardware same problem

seems like wireless Wifi CarPlay can only last about 90sec after bluetooth connected , exiting / re-enter CarPlay screen over and over again , before iOS 18 was totally worked fine

tried deleted my phone and connection and re-pair with each other , seems solved the problem for a while , but the next day I power on my car same problem happened again, exiting / re-enter CarPlay screen over and over

now I have to power on my car delete paired device .....every time before I drive my car ...gosh

I have the same problem. My device is an iPhone 16 with iOS 18.3.

Recently, after I changed my phone, I found that there were frequent disconnections. The situation is that although the device is connected, the audio is not output to the device. I wondered if the receiver was broken, so I replaced it with a Filo one, but the result was the same. Then I used my previous 13 Pro Max and it worked fine, which indicates that it should be a problem with iOS 18. I also tried it with my home soundbar (Samsung N950) that day and the same problem occurred. Please fix this problem as soon as possible.

Fiboman wrote:

I'm having the same problem with ios18, CarPlay and my car. Won't connect. Tried rebooting phone and rebooting the system on my BMW but the car is looking for a bluetooth connection with the phone and cannot find it. Also, when I pair an external speaker to my phone via bluetooth to listen to music, the connection cuts out after several minutes. Have to manually stop the song from playing and start it again and the connection reappears, only to do the same thing several minutes later. Seems there is a problem in ios18 that needs resolving.