Bluetooth connection issues on iPhone 16 Pro

Just bought an iphone 16 Pro 256gb a week ago, and bluetooth was working fine up until yesterday. now it will only connect to handsfree devices and will not connect to the audio side? I've tried every "fix" suggestion and nothing works! I even connected it to a new vehicle and it would work for about 30 seconds and then disconnect?

WTH Apple?! When is this going to be resolved?!

Got me a brand new iPhone16 E. Couldn't do a Quick Start because it couldn't see my old iPhone 8. Not an encouraging start. Used iCloud instead. Bluetooth (5.3) connects to my beloved PS Audio Sprout 100. Sound quality is nice, if you don't count the near-constant dropouts. Tried everything I could think of short of a human sacrifice. No good. Most of the "tech support" people I spoke with didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Problem remains unresolved. Why keep buying Apple?

This post is all over the place because multiple people have hijacked the thread from the OP. I can’t change that sorry.

My post is directed at ChrisMacEachen as noted in my post. Just like posted to me. See the fine print in your post.

Jeff Donald wrote:

This post is all over the place because multiple people have hijacked the thread from the OP. I can’t change that sorry.

My post is directed at ChrisMacEachen as noted in my post. Just like posted to me. See the fine print in your post.

Yep! I was just offering a hopefully-helpful link to threads that might better address Chris’ post.

That sounds like a different issue than is discussed in this thread — but it looks like there are several other threads focused on exactly what you’re seeing.

(For what it’s worth, the good news for 16e owners experiencing this issue is it sounds like their issue is more widely reported than the connection issues discussed in this thread, which likely increases the chance it’ll be addressed in an upcoming software update.)

So if I buy a new iphone 16 and connect via bluetooth to a device, say my car, it will connect? And then I setup the phone using a backup? Will this work?

I bought an iphone 16 on Sat and returned it on Sun as it wouldn't connect to at least 8 devices. I wanted to use it with the satnav in the car, so bluetooth is essential for that, and to be able to read work emails when I'm away from my laptop. When I got home I set up using the backup and then tried the bluetooth.

And if you buy from John Lewis they refuse to accept a 'used' mobile and it was only after a lot of arguing they agreed to take it back but they charged me 10%. My argument was how could I know the bluetooth doesn't work if I don't use the phone.

MML1302UK wrote:

So if I buy a new iphone 16 and connect via bluetooth to a device, say my car, it will connect? And then I setup the phone using a backup? Will this work?

I bought an iphone 16 on Sat and returned it on Sun as it wouldn't connect to at least 8 devices. I wanted to use it with the satnav in the car, so bluetooth is essential for that, and to be able to read work emails when I'm away from my laptop. When I got home I set up using the backup and then tried the bluetooth.

And if you buy from John Lewis they refuse to accept a 'used' mobile and it was only after a lot of arguing they agreed to take it back but they charged me 10%. My argument was how could I know the bluetooth doesn't work if I don't use the phone.

You set up the phone first. Then you connect to Bluetooth devices per the pairing instructions of the Bluetooth devices. You don't connect Bluetooth, then set up the phone.

I did it that way and the iphone wouldn't discover any of the devices and couldn't be connected. I reset the phone to factory settings before returning it to the store and the tech was able to connect his headphone so seeing the thread I was wondering if I should have tried to connect the bluetooth first as that was my understanding of Vanik33's post.

MML1302UK wrote:

I did it that way and the iphone wouldn't discover any of the devices and couldn't be connected. I reset the phone to factory settings before returning it to the store and the tech was able to connect his headphone so seeing the thread I was wondering if I should have tried to connect the bluetooth first as that was my understanding of Vanik33's post.

I have never paired any Bluetooth devices to a new iPhone before setting up the phone first. In fact, pairing Bluetooth devices is the last item on my to do list when I get a new phone. I've never had a pairing issue with Bluetooth devices and in fact have an iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, both phones are paired with multiple Bluetooth devices and each phone to one car. No issues at all with any of the devices or cars.

I knew you would react like that.

If you really read my writing, you would have seen [I've tried - Remove all VPN profiles].

VPN does not affect this issue at all.

If you don't know, don't tell like that.

There is no problem with my iPhone 11 Pro Max with VPN at all.

I tested all six VPNs in the Apple App Store.

If the real bloody VPN is the cause, could you please let me know WHY there is no problem with my iPhone 11 Pro Max?

My iPhone 11 Pro Max is running VPN 24/7.

It doesn't matter if it's turned on or off, OK?

Berliquet wrote:

I knew you would react like that.

If you really read my writing, you would have seen [I've tried - Remove all VPN profiles].

VPN does not affect this issue at all.

If you don't know, don't tell like that.

There is no problem with my iPhone 11 Pro Max with VPN at all.

I tested all six VPNs in the Apple App Store.

If the real bloody VPN is the cause, could you please let me know WHY there is no problem with my iPhone 11 Pro Max?

My iPhone 11 Pro Max is running VPN 24/7.

It doesn't matter if it's turned on or off, OK?

Read Jeff Donald's answer. I don't have anything more to add than what he said.

Yes, the two devices may have different hardware components, such as modems.

But you overlook the fact that software optimization, network protocols, and basic firmware updates can still cause or resolve problems on multiple devices.

Ignoring these comparisons can completely override the likelihood that certain bugs, inefficiencies, or software behavior will appear similarly in different hardware configurations.

Drawing comparisons between devices running different modems or firmware can still provide meaningful insights.

Also, the argument against using beta software for "To Solve Problem" is reasonable to some extent, but using beta for feedback on these issues is inevitable. Many of the previous threads said to suggest use feedback, not Apple support. I used beta for "feedback".

Of course, there are still problems with non-beta iOS.

Don't forget that many users and developers actively test beta to identify and report problems that may persist in both beta and stable versions.

"VPNs are completely not needed on an iPhone"

Someone may have to use a VPN for the security required by the company, and in certain countries they may use it to avoid censorship.

That is a selfish idea that you don't respect user diversity.

As I mentioned below, I've had issues with both with and without VPNs.

What I'm saying is that THIS PROBLEM occurr both with and without VPNs on iPhone 16.

“If the real bloody VPN is the cause, could you please let me know WHY there is no problem with my iPhone 11 Pro Max? My iPhone 11 Pro Max is running VPN 24/7.”

I explained it. Are you a software engineer, developer, or what exactly? You’re talking 5 years of differences, advancements, changes in various standards that you choose to ignore. They are different. You can take wheels off a Ford and put on a Chevy.

So, where does the responsibility of the VPN provider enter your diatribe? What assistance is your VPN’s support team offering? Oh, wait do they even offer a support team or web site for their users to assist each other? There are hundreds, if not thousands of VPN services providers. It’s the responsibility of the provider to make their services compatible with the hardware, firmware, and OS. If VPN’s are mission critical for you, maybe pick one that supports their customers better. Or is it your employer you need to tell to do better?

That’s not correct, in my case. I was unable to activate my phone because my old iPhone had a physical sim and the new iPhone has an eSIM. Nothing transferred over from my old device, and most Bluetooths won’t connect. My biggest issue is the CarPlay.

porschea192 wrote:

That’s not correct, in my case. I was unable to activate my phone because my old iPhone had a physical sim and the new iPhone has an eSIM. Nothing transferred over from my old device, and most Bluetooths won’t connect.

Interesting. Whenn I transfered from an iPhone 11 Pro with a physical SIM to an iPhone 15 Pro with an eSIM, the transfer was seamless. The SIM information transferred as well.