Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

VW Iphone 4s bluetooth connection drop problem, is there a solution or do apple not care

Many people are finding their Iphone 4S drops connection with their VW (Passat etc) integrated bluetooth hands free system after working fine for 5, 10, 20 minutes. The only way to reconnect is to switch the car off or turn the Iphone bluetooth off & back on.

This is a dangerous fault and it appears that both Apple & VW have no solution (or are ignoring as they have already sold you a phone & a car).

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1, VW bluetooth

Posted on Jun 15, 2012 2:48 PM

Reply
51 replies

Jul 17, 2012 4:29 AM in response to Mister Jones

VW UK (unofficial information) have admitted that their bluetooth system in cars produced prior to 2012 has a

compatibility problem with the Iphone 4S.

This is due to that bluetooth system being developed prior to the launch of the Iphone 4S.

VW cars produced in 2012 have a different bluetooth system that works OK with the Iphone 4S.

As the bluetooth systems are different we are told there is no update software for pre 2012 cars & it is unlikely that

there will be any update in the future.

We have checked this theory as we have 2011 & 2012 VW Passats in our fleet & the drivers of the 2012 cars

have no problems with their 4S bluetooth, the drivers of the 2011 cars all have drop out problems.

The best we can hope for is that Apple acknowledge the problem that they have created (as it is not a VW only issue)

& bring out an update for the 4S that makes its bluetooth as reliable as the Iphone 4.😠

Sep 5, 2012 12:43 PM in response to browndogs10

I had a different problem which could eventually bring some suggestion.

To VW group belongs Audi-VW-Skoda-Porsche. Most brand have exactly the same Radio and Navigation system, the company just give them different names. Due to different price and Marketing rules some of the cars and optionals are developed before or better than others.

I had in 2011 no chanche connecting my iPhone 4 to a Skoda Octavia (Amundsen navi) with its original Skoda connection cable. The cable was probably limited to iPhone3.

The Skoda service just went round the corner of the garage and gave me an Audi cable (In Italy often VW-Audi-Skoda share the same repair shops evenif the try to play divided).

Worked perfec. I still have the same car and cable and it works now with 4s.


Long story to suggest that you can try with parent brand for a Software upgrade or even to change the full block of Radio-Telephone-Navigation system.

Sep 20, 2012 10:46 AM in response to browndogs10

Same here, updated to ios 6 and still the (vw golf 2010) bluetooth does not answer calls all the time. iphone 3gs works perectly. Doesnt the iphone 4s use bluetooth 4 and the 3gs / 4 use ver 2.0. I suspect only the latest vws will work perfectly as stated above.


Also what annoys me, is that using turn by turn navigation, when connected to car, Siris voice doenst not speak the directions. However ask siri a question then I can hear him through the cars bluetooth / speakers???

Oct 19, 2012 1:00 AM in response to Mister Jones

Same issue, iPhone 4S with iOS 6, Passat 2011 with 315 Radio set. Even a new radio set replaced in July 2012 with these exact symptoms before and after, also with the older phone firmware.


Practically impossible to use the phone together with the car. As I'm driving daily for over two hours, I'm planning to get a different phone due to this issue.


Apple really needs to get this fixed, as this is clearly an issue by them.

Oct 20, 2012 8:31 PM in response to seweriz

What seems to have worked for me as a workaround is to fully delete the iPhone from the MFD while it's connected. Then, repair the phone, but disable the "sync contacts" quickly while pairing. (In the Bluetooth menu, tap the blue arrow next to VW PHONE. Do this prior to confirming name of phone on MFD)


Although I don't have access to the contacts on the MFD, my phone seems to ring all the time now through the car, while previously it would only ring here and there. I just have to initiate calls from siri by holding the button on the phone. Can't guarantee it will work for everyone, but it's worth a try!

Nov 7, 2012 11:02 PM in response to Frank ZZ

I found an interesting work around. I have a Bluetooth Headset that I use often on client sites. I have found that if the Bluetooth headset is on and connected to the Phone when I enter the car, the VW system also connects and becomes the master, and calls then continue to come MOST of the time, with little of the issue as described.


If the secondary Bluetooth Headset is not connected, I get all the problems as described.


Thankfully any calls go to the VW system rather than the Bluetooth and it SEEMS to work fine.....


I am not sure about the issue being an Apple issue though. We also have a LandRover Discovery 4 with Bluetooth (September 2011 build) and it links all the time with both my and my wife's iPhone 4S. Given this started happening with 5.1 of iOS and above, I reckon it is a compatiability issue with some manufacturers cuts of the bluetooth system

VW Iphone 4s bluetooth connection drop problem, is there a solution or do apple not care

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.