Bluetooth connection issues on iPhone 16 Pro

My new 16 pro max would not connect to my echo until I 1)reset network settings (so annoying to lose all network passwords, apple) 2)restart both devices 3)connect the echo and iPhone through a third device (my iPad) I do not know for sure if I had to reset the network settings because I tried each thing in the order of the comments in this thread. But, thank you, Broadcast Teacher. Your comment is what helped me!

I was having the same issue with a JBL6 and BOSE mini link. So I tried plugging them too each other to see if it would and it did not work thru the usb, BUT after plugging the usb-c into both the JBL to the iPhone the device recognized it on Bluetooth.

I retrieved the Bose and when the device told me it would require too much battery I unplugged it and it now can connect to them both. Hope this helps!!

I had some of the same issues with Iphone 16 pro. It wouldn’t connect to any of my Alexa speakers. If you say “Alexa Pair” it will list it in your bluetooth devices and then you should be able to connect, at least this worked for me.

Just transferred my XR to 16+. My Bluetooth items were all gone except car and TV. I could get some headphones to work but not others. Worst was my $2000.00 hearing aids wouldn’t connect.

With most other headsets, I had to reset them to pair as new.

Dug around and found a reset format for the aids:

Go to settings

Accessibility

Hearing Devices

Set up Hearing Aids …I had them reconnect. Then switched to “live listen “and the sound came through my Hearing aids again.

Nrickers8888 wrote:

I have a new iPhone 16 pro max and none of my Bluetooth devices will work! I spent 3 hours with Apple trying to sort me out to no avail. What unearth is going on Apple.

Just because you may be having an issue, doesn't mean everyone else does. Case in point? I have iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, none of which have ANY issues with Bluetooth devices. I have at least 8 devices successfully paired to my iPhone. There are millions upon millions upon millions of people who own iPhone 16 models. If this was a significant issue, this forum would be flooded with people complaining. Yet it's not. So warning others to avoid buying an iPhone 16 is not going to help you at all.

What you really need to figure out is why you're having an issue. The most common issue is a Bluetooth device wasn't put in pairing mode in order for it to connect with your phone. Instead of resorting to hysteria, perhaps tell us what steps you've taken and we might be able to help you.

Have you at least read this --> Pair a third-party Bluetooth accessory with your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Do you use a VPN on your iPhone? If you do, don't just turn it off, completely REMOVE the VPN profile from your phone.

[Edited by Moderator]

It's impossible to help you from my sofa. I'm a user just like you're a user. You said earlier you spent 3 hours with Apple. Did you go to the Genius Bar at your Apple Store or was this over the phone? I'd suggest you go to your closest Apple Store Genius Bar for in-person help.

I am one of the lucky ones. I brought my second, replacement iPhone 16 pro max to our local Apple Store. The tech person did a variety of tests and was able to completely fix the issue. After having two phones with the same issue, one of which could not be fixed at all, it is my personal belief that this is a Quality Control issue. There are probably a number of phones that are simply defective. So what I am thinking is that once you get a new iPhone 16, start working with it as soon as you can. If the Bluetooth problem occurs, visit an Apple Store right away. If it can’t be fixed, get another phone and try again. Good luck, everyone.

I’d definitely leave a bug report at apple.com/feedback. If you’re still having the problem, tell them what you’ve tried so far; if you had this problem and think you’ve fixed it, let them know what you think did the trick.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

I'd say it's more an issue with your "car kit." My iPhone pairs automatically every time I enter my car. If it was an iPhone specific issue, it would be happening to everyone, but it's not. You should reach out to the car manufacturer and see if an update may be required for your cars infotainment system.

I can’t recall whether I mentioned in this thread that my 16 Pro Max is the only iPhone of the three in my household that has this issue — but I know the post you quoted mentioned that the car kit pairs and reconnects as expected with a current-model iPad mini.

If that, plus the many other 16 Pro Plus owners posting in this thread, doesn’t eliminate the car kit as the source of the problem, it certainly seems to make it a less likely source of the issue than the iPhone hardware.

(And obviously, the fact that you personally aren’t experiencing this issue — or even that many/most iPhone 16 Pro Max owners aren’t, assuming that’s the case — has little utility to the fraction of us who are experiencing this issue and are trying to troubleshoot it.)

This worked for me on a BMW X5. Start connecting iphone 16 to car's BT, when asking for pin, type either 0000 or 1234 and click OK (don't wait to any more messages on car's dash) as soons as you see the option to input those number on your phone, go ahead and do it. Should work. Good luck!

They updated the app two weeks ago, and seem to release bug fixes at least once a month. I can appreciate the frustration when they don’t reply. I’d give support another try and in the meantime contact Apple Support and see what they suggest.

support articles below.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Official Apple Support

Live Chat with an Apple Advisor in Messages. 

I've been having this problem since I bought an iPhone in October.

Apple Genius bar, support chat/call can't solved this problem.

There are a lot of things in this thread's response who are just saying "REBOOT" or "RESET". 

I've already done it, and even though it's not a fundamental solution, they repeat something parrot-fashion.

I know it's an extreme expression, but they are not really having this problem, and they don't know the inconvenience of people who do.

Also, I have already submitted feedback on this issue, but I can't get any response.

The feedback only shows that more than 10 of the same issues have been reported.

Below is a part of my feedback.

My devices/ver

- [A2992] MacBook Pro M3 14" (MacOS 15.3 Sequoia)

- [A3297] iPhone 16 Pro Max (iOS 18.3)*

- [A2084] Airpods Pro 1 (6F21)

- [A3003]Apple Watch Series 10 (WatchOS 11.3/22S555)

- [A2220] iPhone 11 Pro Max (iOS 18.3, Using another account for work)

First Problem Occurred

October 6, 2024 (1 day after purchase)

Occurred iOS version at

- 18.0

- 18.0.1

Main issue: Bluetooth not connected and paired

Issue Details

- This issue only happens with iPhone 16 Pro Max I have.

- Bluetooth status is ON

- Already paired devices are not connected (Connection Unsuccessful Message)

- New device is not visible in the list (Continuing searching devices)

- Pairing pop-up not coming up near new AirPods/Apple Watches

- Fail to connect Mirroring feature on MacBook(Sequoia 15.3)

- When opened Airpods between iPhone 11 Pro Max and 16 Pro Max after remove Airpods Pro from iPhone and Find My, Pairing pop-up only appears in 11 Pro Max.

- Even issue occurred on iPhone 16PM, Pairing remains normal and works perfectly on My MacBook, Watch and AirPods.

I've tried 

- Bluetooth Off/On (at Setting-Bluetooth toggle)

- Reboot device

- Reset Network Setting

- Reset All Setting

- Remove all VPN profiles

- Remove all Bluetooth devices

- Remove all Wi-Fi

- Reset Airpods Pro

- Cleaning Airpods Pro

- Reset Apple Watch

Notes

- The cause of this problem is unclear how, why, and when it occurs. I can't figure out which is triggering this issue.

As a result, It is difficult to reproduce this problem intentionally.

- The "diagnosis" I ran with an Apple support counselor said all the hardware was perfectly normal.

- This issue has occurred about 30 times since the purchase on October 5 and has occurred in all iOS versions of iPhone 16 Pro Max.

- It is a Bluetooth problem of iPhone 16 Pro Max that appears from third-party products to Apple products (include GoPro, Ricoh, Apple watch, Airpods, Boss speaker etc)

- Reset or rebooting the device seems to have resolved the problem, but the problem occurs again at terms of as short as 40 minutes and as long as 6 days.

- I didn't see any abnormal operation of any other function other than Bluetooth connection issues.

- When I turned Bluetooth on and off about 100 times on iOS public 18.1, it took about 5 seconds for Bluetooth to turn on and back on normally. (3 times)

since 18.2, the problem was not resolved this way.

- It's hard to say that it's a Bluetooth compatibility problem.

My AirPods is Bluetooth 5.0, and it connect well to 3GS using Bluetooth 2.1.

And problem also occurs between iPhone and watch that use same Bluetooth 5.3.

- Also it's hard to say it's a VPN profile issue.

There was nothing wrong with the 11 Pro Max using VPN due to company security, and the Bluetooth is working perfectly.

[Edited by Moderator]

The connectivity issue was resolved by doing a Master Reset on Sync in your vehicle. Of course you will need to reprogram your radio and any other custom settings.

Problem solved!

I put my Headphones in Discovery mode instead of pairing and IPhone Bluetooth found them immediately and they work fine! I’m so happy now!

My 13 Pro Max worked perfectly! My Apple watch 8, Airpod Pro 2nd gen, my Sony Xm5's, and all car's bluetooth would just connect pretty much instantly! There was never any drop in/out, having to reboot to connect, or delayed connecting. It just worked.

I've since had a 14 and currently 15 pro, and they've both had horrible bluetooth and wifi issues. I'll have to put my airpods back in the case 2 or 3 times before they finally connect. Heck it'll even say my devices are connected in the settings then start blasting music from the external speaker when I press play. I'll have to reboot my phone up to twice a day to get my Xm5's to connect. AND my Apple watch 8 will be "connected" but not actually connected causing massive battery drain on it while it's constantly searching for signal. One of the only way's I can tell is when the weather widget stops showing the temp, then if I try to use the watch app I can't see any of my watch's info like how much free space it has, nor can I search for updates cause it's "Not connected."

Still have my 13 Pro Max that's fully updated, after testing it, bluetooth still works flawlessly on the same devices.

This has been an issue since the 14 release sadly and it still doesn't seem to be fixed.