Bluetooth connection issues on iPhone 16 Pro

Actually, I turned off the Bluetooth, forgot device then restart the device.

problem solved. If not, try reset the network

Same problem. Did a reset for no improvement. Checked car software which was up to date. Deleted car from phone Bluetooth and phone from car Bluetooth and then re established connections after another phone reset. Appears to be working now although I haven’t driven anywhere and only time will tell.

Yes, Apple support told me it’s not a network issue. It doesn’t make sense for it to be since you’re not using the network. You’re using Bluetooth (which is its own small independent network) .

The solution that finally worked for me was to read each manual very carefully and pair each of my five Bluetooth items exactly the way the manual said (the Apple tech supervisor actually looked them up & told me what to do). It was a tiny bit different for each one (click twice for this one; click and hold for that one, etc.

I never had to do that with my iPhone 15 (just turned each one on and they immediately saw each other), but I sure did with this delicate flower 16.

Everyone out there in the US does know it’s free to call Apple Support for the first 90 days (and I’ve heard longer) to get help with these things, right? Just call 800.MYAPPLE (692.7793).

Hint: Be sure to ask for a case number before you hang up. It will save you a ton of time if you ever have to call back on this same stupid issue. .

I just updated the iPhone 16 I got yesterday to iOS 18.2, and the Bluetooth issues documented here (which I experienced with a Denon soundbar) were solved—to my relief.

Resetting network settings worked like a charm for me! Migrated from 13 mini to 16.

Would have never guessed to try this solution on my own.

And a good moment to get rid of all those outdated wifi passwords ;)

I only connect to 2 or 3 wifi networks automatically anyway - and for those I can easily remember or acquire the passwords.

Thanks!

I've just been through the same issue. turning of bluetooth (in the settings not the toggle) worked for me eventually. but There was one crucial element. I had the phone connected to a Windows 11 computer via PhoneLink. I disengaged that connection and forgot the related devices. After that I rebooted my bluetooth. that did the trick. Now devices are connecting again.

There seems to be an issue with managing multiple connections and third party connections in general. that or apple inteligence decided that I should not be connecting to windows. (lol little joke but I wouldn't know)

In the end I am not saying that this is the issue or that this will work for me, but it might help to see if there ARE any active connections on the blutooth issues not withstanding. Hope this was of some help good luck with the issues.

Only way I can play music on iPhone 16 is to disconnect my watch. Then everything works fine. Not great as want to use to control music in group fitness class from my watch

I was having the exact same issues with my car until I went to the car’s Bluetooth and deleted every other phone that had ever been paired with it. Once I did that and restarted the car and the iPhone 16, the 16 finally paired, finally, after 3 weeks of trying. Before this the car and phone recognized each other but would not pair.

As soon as I read a good portion of your post, I was waiting to see if you have a VPN on the phone. Get RID of it. Don't just turn it off. GET RID OF IT. VPNs are completely not needed on an iPhone and often cause connectivity issues like you're seeing. Others in this thread have solved their issues by dumping their VPN. I wouldn't use one on my iPhone 16 Pro Max if it was free or you paid me to use it.

For me the problem is solved with the below steps, but I don't know for how long.

Apple support told me to do this first before resetting the settings.

Follow the steps quickly

> push volume up

> push volume down

> Hold side button(power button) till its turning off

They also told there are coming some fixes.

Regards,

Upgrading to iOS 18.2 finally seems to have resolved the issue for me

The only thing that worked for me was initiating the pairing from the Bluetooth device - not the phone. The phone was useless, it would just spin and spin and spin. I tried resetting network settings, rebooting, turning on and off various things, renaming my device (yep that was one idea I found on YouTube).

I found a post here that said do the pairing from the device, and that did it. So thanks for that one!

From what I'm seeing (meaning in at least my case), it's not really an Apple issue per se, but rather how Bluetooth is structured. For my hearing aids and my car, I had to "Forget Devices", and then pair like I had to originally, and then it all worked just fine.

This was my situation (I set-up new iPhone from old one) and this worked (reset network settings) for me. Bluetooth connection is much more stable. Thanks!

I’ve spent hours with the techs on the Bluetooth issue - 16e skippiing and stuttering - the only solution is to disconnect my garmin watch - which I figured out myself. Not ideal