Bluetooth connection issues on iPhone 16 Pro

Adding to thread since I am experiencing the same connect/disconnect issues with Bluetooth in my car. I have a new iPhone 16 Plus running iOS 18.4 and a 2019 Rav4 Hybrid. I can use Bluetooth to pair my iPhone to the car and it works until I turn the car off. Next time I start the car, the Bluetooth connects for a second, then disconnects for a second or two, then reconnects for a second or two, and this goes on and on. I've tried all the troubleshooting steps of un-pairing and re-pairing the device, checking for software updates on both phone and car, resetting network connects on phone, deleting personal settings in car, etc. and the bad behavior persists. After I start the car, I have discovered that if I toggle the Bluetooth switch off and back on again on the iPhone, the Bluetooth connection will usually stick, until the car is shut off again. Having to toggle this switch each and every time I start the car is not a good long term solution, however. I should mention that my old iPhone 14 Plus connected and stayed connected to Bluetooth in the car reliably and without any issues.

Not for me, on iOS 18.5 and still having similar issues to others - bluetooth drop outs, unable to connect to AirPods, in car system. My remedy is to turn bluetooth on my iPhone on and off and then reconnect the device again. Doesn't always work, but it does most of the time. Awful experience, never had BT issues before on previous iPhones.

The culprit: Air Tags.

Does the Garmin pair with your iPhone via an app? If so, is the app updated? Have you reached out to Garmin’s support team? In the past they have been very responsive to issues.

ALL new iPhones have a one year warranty. Apple will replace a defective iPhone for either a new or refurbished iPhone, at their option.

I seen a comment that if you used the backup from cloud you will have this issue. I used that option and have had no problems at all with Bluetooth connection. However my husband wasn’t able to use the backup from cloud option and has had nothing but issues. So that is definitely not a 100% guaranteed issue.

I went from the iPhone14 Pro Max to the iphone16 Pro Max and had the same Bluetooth connectivity issues that everyone seems to be having. I came to this forum for the “fix”, which didn’t work. I was still within the 14 day return window, so I returned it and went back to the iPhone14. Never had an issue with that version. I’m going to wait until they get this figured out before investing a small fortune in a device that should have superior performance!

Same. The devices that worked fine on my iphone 12 can no longer keep connection with iphone 16. It seems to be a software issue as it connects once in a while but forgets how to connect again. A restart can fix it for one more time which shows the issue is on iphone's side

Bluetooth connectivity has not been optimum for my iPhone 16 Pro. I couldn't connect to my car's Bluetooth from the phone, BUT it can connect if I attempt connection from my car to the phone. Once, my Airpods Pro 2 suddenly stopped emitting sounds even though it showed it was still connected. When I restarted my phone, my Airpods made the "disconnected" sound, which means it wasn't the Airpods' problem.

My phone also regularly sends me notifications of my Airpods being "left behind" although it's right next to me, unused.

Somehow fixed the issue on my own, don’t ask me how. I guess I just got lucky. I kept tinkering with my 2950-20 Milwaukee pack out. On my truck I deleted every thing that was stored for Bluetooth and reconnected. My hearing aids, I got help from Starkey/Thrive.

Good afternoon. My case was. I've restored the network settings a few times without success. I did the restore without copying data and to no avail. However, today I tried it again after a while without pairing my iPhone with the car's Bluetooth and it worked. I can listen to music via Spotify and the music doesn't stop. I hope it stays that way.

I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max running iOS 18.2.1, and I’m still having issues with certain (but not all) of my devices — even after resetting network settings and forgetting/re-pairing them.

For the Bluetooth kit installed in my car:

• Bluetooth will not reconnect automatically.

• If I forget the device on the phone but not the car, I get an “XXXX wants to pair” modal to show on the phone when my car starts only if keep Bluetooth settings open on the phone.

For a Eufy smart scale:

• Bluetooth connection was spotty.

• Forgetting the device on my phone left me unable to re-add it via Bluetooth, so the smart scale is now a dumb one.

Apple devices like my watch and AirPods have experienced no issues. I’m also having no issues automatically reconnecting to a cheap Tribit Bluetooth speaker. This feels like a software bug that’s as yet unaddressed.

For your smart scale, you say bluetooth is spotty. I'm assuming this means it works sometimes, right? How far from your iPhone is your scale? Bluetooth has limited range. Depending on the Bluetooth version in the scale, it can be as short as 30 feet. For example a device with Bluetooth 5.3 has a range of 33 feet and if there are metal, brick or block walls between your phone and the scale, that can be significantly lower.

Even if you forget a device, all you have to do is put is in pairing mode per the manufacturers directions to pair it again. It simply won't connect unless it's in pairing mode first. Then you open bluetooth settings, look for the device and tap it to connect. Having a fatalistic view won't help you. Doing the right steps will.