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iOS 4.2.1 & Bluetooth Problems?

Have any of you experienced problems with iOS 4.2.1 recognizing your bluetooth device? I have 2 bluetooth headsets, and my iPhone 4 will not find the connection. It says it is searching, but continues to "search" without finding the devices and I have made sure they are turned on as well.

iPhone 4, iOS 4, updated to 4.2.1

Posted on Nov 27, 2010 7:37 PM

Reply
87 replies

Jan 6, 2011 7:46 PM in response to GlenIris

I have the same problem with my Audi Q7, I can talk via bluetooth, but thats it.. and every time I get back into the car I have to re-establish the bluetooth.. I had a new A4 loaner the other day and everything worked fine.. and yes, I'm using an IPhone4 with the most recent software.. What do I do??

Jan 18, 2011 6:28 PM in response to TennisGuy007

I am on my second ipod, running 4.2.1. I too am trying to pair Soundid 510 blue tooth headset to my ipod. I went with the 'recommended" brand for Apple. Spent money and the ipod doesn't even discover the headset. Non existent. My ipod won't even connect to my main computer Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon. None of the items are cheap. All Apple brands. ***. All bluetooth devices are turned on. ipod touch recognizes my main computer, but canNOT connect. How much money does a person have to spend to plug and play? I have been a loyal Mac user for 20 years and I am getting upset with things that once worked, then you update the OS, and things don't work. Or you buy a new item promising bluetooth and that doesn't work. Can Apple PLEASE give us a step by step procedure on HOW TO CONNECT BLUETOOTH, please, I would like to use the features I bought and paid for - bluetooth included on the NEW ipod touch 4.2.1, my SoundiD 510 Bluetooth headset, and my Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon.

Jan 18, 2011 7:46 PM in response to TennisGuy007

Here is what is happening. The Bluetooth software on iPhones operating under OS 4.2.1 has a corruption (either software or antenna hardware-related) with regard to WiFi environments. Whenever the phone enters a WiFi network, it interrupts the iPhone's ability to establish a connection with any headset or device it has already paired with. The only workaround I have found is to temporarily shut off Bluetooth (in Settings>General>Bluetooth) until all paired devices disappear, and then turn Bluetooth on again. The Bluetooth connectivity to previously paired headsets is restored until the phone senses a WiFi environment. (Shutting off WiFi under Settings has no effect on improving Bluetooth pairing.) I am hoping the next OS upgrade to 4.2.2 or 4.3 will correct this very annoying problem.

Jan 21, 2011 4:46 AM in response to r2d2_uk

Absolutely the same problem with my Bmw. Very frustrating problem. I too wish apple would sort this issue out and perhaps even revert back to the older programming that worked fine. I had the bluetooth computer replaced in my car assuming it may have been a problem there but no. Just had the Iphone replaced thinking that this may have helped but no again. Lets just hope the next software update for the phone fixes the problem..

Jan 24, 2011 12:48 PM in response to RayDon

As you can see from my profile I am on 4.2.1 and have been since it was released. I have never had a problem with BlueTooth, which I use almost continually, while connected to any WiFi network, including my home, office, volunteer sites, Starbucks, my MiFi, etc.

If you have a problem it is most likely your phone that has a problem, not the OS version.

Jan 24, 2011 1:15 PM in response to TennisGuy007

I'm not having pariring issues. My issue comes when I try to listen to music.

I have an iPhone 3G. Prior to the update to 4.2.1, I was able to listen to music through my bluetooth headset. This worked well, as I could listen to music while driving and not bother others in the car.

Now, after installing 4.2.1, I still don't have problems pairing new devices... I DO have a problem listening to music. I get a new icon at the bottom of the music display, where the volume control normally resides... it looks like a box with an arrow (or something) coming out of it. The phone apparently thinks its sending music to the headset, but nothing comes through. It disconnects the device I have plugged into the dock connector, so no music comes through that connection either. I have to manually force the phone to re-establish music through the dock connector, or turn off the bluetooth device, before music flows through the dock connector again.

It seems that everyone is having PAIRING issues. Mine is not a pairing issue, rather a bluetooth functionality problem. I assume it's the same as everyone else, I'm just afraid the terminology may be wrong.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jan 26, 2011 1:58 PM in response to sandiegomomoftwo

No fix yet. My workaround involves toggling off and restarting the Bluetooth function on the phone (not the headset device). That will work for me until the phone encounters another Wifi environment, when the Bluetooth will usually fail to reacquire the signal with my headset (or your car). My January 18th post outlines the process in a little more detail. I am hoping the next version of OS4x will correct the problem.

Feb 3, 2011 3:56 AM in response to RayDon

Lawrence Finch - I think the problem is only with certain (maybe older) bluetooth devices/cars. 4.2.1 seems to have removed compatibility with certain BT profiles. That's why many people (like you) might have no issues at all.

But there are a good many (probably a minority) that are stuck with 4.2.1 which won't pair or work correctly with their car/device, which worked perfectly before.

In my case, I don't seem to have an issue with the phone itself. I say this because I took my phone to an Apple store and the "Genius" there ran diagnostics on it and said no issues with the phone. He admitted that apple has had complaints and are working on the issue. He couldn't do anything about it and gave me back my phone saying that even a hardware change might not help in my case. Please wait for the next OS was my only option!

RayDon - Will try test your wi-fi theory. Will have to get to a wi-fi free area I presume!

iOS 4.2.1 & Bluetooth Problems?

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