Bluetooth audio stuttering issues on my iPhone 16e

Is anyone having issues with Bluetooth audio stuttering? I just upgraded to the 16e from the 13 mini and any Bluetooth device keeps hitching. The sound pauses for a second then picks back up. I’ve tried factory resetting without using an iCloud backup to see if that solved the issue but it still happening. I’m wondering if this is just early adopter troubles or an iOS 18 bug. It’s been driving me nuts!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16e, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 5, 2025 8:00 AM

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Frog_T

Level 1

63 points

Posted on Mar 6, 2025 1:15 PM

Over on reddit others have confirmed that it's related to having multiple bluetooth connections (e.g. fitness tracker + headphones) at the same time. Moderators, can you escalate this to Apple please?

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Skelmo

Level 1

8 points

Mar 16, 2025 1:39 PM in response to oarriaga08

This is my 16e connected to my watch and headphones. There is a spot on my patio where I'm guessing that the phone also tries to connect to my truck and the bluetooth shuts completely off for a second and makes all the devices reconnect. I've tried all the steps others and apple support have listed and nothing seems to fix it.

[Edited by Moderator]

oarriaga08 Author

Level 1

64 points

Mar 6, 2025 1:40 PM in response to Frog_T

To my knowledge it’s just the one connection. I don’t have any other smart devices so it’s just the Bluetooth Audio that’s running.

FANBOT

Level 1

14 points

Mar 6, 2025 2:59 PM in response to oarriaga08

Found the issue. If you're streaming music/ audio from Spotify, Bluetooth sputters. Crazy IOS bug.

Mar 7, 2025 11:04 AM in response to oarriaga08

Same here, stuttering on 4 separate devices. No issues on my SE which I’m still running. Really irritating

Mar 7, 2025 11:57 AM in response to FANBOT

No it’s through the music app too. With music on the system.

had a 2.5 hr long discussion with the apple tech. To isolate things still the same.

Mar 7, 2025 11:40 PM in response to Timeuhmeuh

so it doesn’t work properly then… other iPhones didn’t have this issue

Mar 8, 2025 9:27 AM in response to mogawine

i raised the issue in the UK. Got support directly from the US. They know the issue. Would change your phone right away. But you would need to ask for that

Bluehcc

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2025 7:49 PM in response to oarriaga08

I am having the same problem with this new 16e. I thought it was my headset so i paired with another headset, same problem.

Mar 9, 2025 1:32 AM in response to oarriaga08

Same problem here. Bluetooth only stops stuttering when I disconnect my Oura Ring.

Mar 9, 2025 10:42 AM in response to mogawine

You’re not alone. Same problem here, same continent. Different solution, tough. Apple technicians have asked me to record the stuttering and send it back to them to check. True story.

Mar 10, 2025 1:22 AM in response to oarriaga08

I have the same problem. When connected to earphones Bluetooth drops out after 10 to 20 minutes. Does Bluetooth and wifi share the same chip? Going to try defaulting phone wifi to 5gh on the router.