bluetooth music issues after iOS6 update

OK I have installed the Firmware Update and I can confirm that all the Bluetooth functions that were missing after the iOS6 update is now restored.

I have a Pioneer DEH-8400BT which since upgrading to iOS 6 now no longer allows any AVRCP controls and music does not begin playing automatically. Manually starting the music still works, but steering wheel controls now no longer function.

Bluetooth in other words for me is completely broken unless you manually start the audio from the Apple Music app. 5.1.1 was perfect...

@proH03 - Are you serious? Parrot didn't just change their software on your unit, apple changed their software on your phone. "Maybe that is the link to all this"? There will either be a iOS6.0.1 or every Bluetooth chip manufacturer is going to have to rewrite software to work with apple's new version of protocol. I hope for everyone's sake it is not the latter.

I think along the same line as proH03.

Apple introduced version 4.0 of Bluetooth with iOS6. That means new funcionallity for sharing over Bluetooth. Unfortunatley it also seems to mean that "old" BT instructions were removed or that those functions are now triggerd in another way. In my opinion it's not a fault that can be blamed on Apple but something that must be changed by Parrot. They have to somehow "adjust" their BT module to "understand" BT 4.0 standard. Hopefully all radio/stereo manufactures than quickly release new BT firmware for their devices to regain proper working.

I also have a AVH-4400BH and I'm having the same issue. Plugging the iPhone in works for me but the bluetooth, which I used constantly to avoid having my phone always plugged in and killing the battery life, is not longer working. I can stream but no album info comes up and I cannot skip or go back. Play/pause does work. I don't see why apple did not make this backwards compatible. Or if by some weird reason it has to deal with the Bluetooth Sharing feature in iOS 6.

KingOfLimbs12 wrote:

If this requires updates on the stereo/headset side of things, I am NOT spending another 6 months fighting with Volkswagen to get another firmware update. It's just not happening. This is 100% fixable by Apple, if they choose to do so. Backwards compatibility is nothing new. It worked on iOS 5.

That all depends; if the standards changed and were updated, Apple has to change to ensure future compatibility as well.

Or, to put it another way, device manufacturers don't update their firmware to address Apple bugs, they update them because the standard changed.

If it will be fixed by a firmware update by the device manufacturers, it's not Apple's issue, as frustrating as it is.

Start emailing the support and sales for your stereos, go to the shop where you bought it and tell them they dont work on ios6 . Put the presure on from all sides. When the manufactures hear they dont work and iphone users wont buy they decks then we might get somewhere.

Just to add my issue (in layman's terms) to the list of grievances:

I updated to iOS6 this morning.

I have a Bluetooth-enabled Toyota factory stereo that worked perfectly with my iPhone4 yesterday. I could switch between radio, CD and my audiobooks or iTunes playlist at will AND, yes, even talk on the phone. Today I hopped in my car for my long commute and I had no volume on my car stereo. I flipped around, turned it off and on and couldn't figure out what was happening. I turned on my Audible audiobook app from my phone and it worked fine. Hmm. I didn't have time to mess with it, so I just used that. But I tried hitting the phone icon to see if I'd get a dial tone and got nothing. I was in traffic, so didn't attempt a test call.

When I got into car to return home, I had same problem – no volume on stereo at all. I tried turning Bluetooth off from Settings and lo and behold, the volume on the stereo started working again. Well, great. Basically I have my choice of having the Bluetooth phone/iPod feature I paid extra for in my car or, having a stereo that has actual volume (usually a prerequisite with most audio equipment ...) It HAS to be an Apple problem. Everything worked perfectly yesterday.

I really hope they fix this SOON!! I don't know what to do, to be honest. I am due for a contract renewal next month and was getting a 5, but this is a potential deal breaker for me and I don't say that lightly. I LOVE my Apple products. But how can I have a completely useless Bluetooth system?

I have a Kenwood KDC-BT852HD that after updated to IOS 6 I no longer have any control when using bluetooth. I had it before updating the IOS. It worked really good, Now, no forward or reverse song selection, and no Tagging information displayed. Although Music does play, it ***** having to grab the phone to change the song, let alone.... in California, its illegal to have a phone in your hand. Apple PLEASE RETURN CONTROLS USING BLUETOOTH.

I am having the same issue with the Uconnect in my Chrysler 200. The Apple 'ipad' music displays correctly, but the Pandora music info is now missing. SOunds like a blutooth permissions issue. Apple clamped down on bluetooth security and didnt tell any of teir developers!

From Pioneer support this afternoon,

Thank you for contacting Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

I am sorry to hear you are having problems with the iOS 6 update.

Our engineers are currently working with Apple to see if there is something we can do to restore the metadata from the Bluetooth Audio streaming.

Sincerely,

Rocky

Customer Service Representative

I have the same issue, Pioneer AVH-P3400BH. I have the apple Iphone 4s, and Ipad 2, both worked before the IOS6 update, and now neither have the full functionality they once did. This must be software related, since the only thing that changed was my Iphone/Ipad os update. I am disappointed, and hope Apple can fix this quickly. I'm sure Apple tested, and not sure how an issue this big could've slipped through testing without being noticed.

This is completely an Apple thing.

Why remove the data transfer elements from the Base OS? (This is the bit that allows the passing of information from Parrot base Bluetooth devices)

here are my thoughts

1. Licensing - Perhaps using this code cost apple money (doubt it)

2. They want a new Bluetooth standard (Stupid)

3. They are trying to protect copywrite material by preventing information being transfered over that protocol (perhaps but doubt it)

4. They want to sell you a new adapter (mmm maybe but then it won't be exclusive)

5. The new iPhone 5 uses a cheaper chipset that is not compatible with Parrot and rather than have this as an issue with the new iPhone 5 they remove the functionatily from all iphones and leveling the field. (MOST LIKELY ANSWER)

Either way it's either a bug or a feature. It's clear that this a punch in the face for all prior iOS users and those who use Parrot based technology. (There is alot out there eg: B&O Beoplay, Dr Dre Beats, BMW car head units, Mercedes car head units, variety of Bluetooth based speakers and headphones!!! i recon at least 70 percent of Bluetooth products.... this is an unconfirmed stat) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrot_(company)

Parrot have been around since 1999 (longer than the iphone) so apple should show some respect for a technology pioneer. Either way Apple need to set expectations and tell those who have a device what is what. Me... well i will be going to apple to have them exchange my device for another iPhone 4s as there is no downgrade path untill this is sorted out. If you have this problem i would advice you all do the same.

No, I didn't actually.

To be fair, I didn't experience any of the issues other people have had with iOS 6 (bad wifi, for example). Honestly I don't think resetting all the settings will do any good. There's too many people with way too many different models of car radios (stock and aftermarket) experiencing the exact same issues. I doubt that the missing piece of the Bluetooth puzzle will somehow get into place by doing a reset of everything.

whitewater2 wrote:

I have had the same problem with the iPhone 5 only. All other devices with IOS6 work, it is because of the BT 4.0 introduction.

I contacted Ford Sync and are aware of the issue, but its not on their end, especially since all other devices works. I can take calls through the system but BlueTooth Audio with iPhone5 does not work.

First, Bluetooth 4.0 and, for that matter, AVRCP 1.4, were introduced in iOS 5 (October 12, 2011.)

Second, did Ford actually tell you it's not their issue, or are you just drawing that conclusion?

Seriously, it should take about ten minutes with a protocol analyzer for a vendor to know exactly what's happening here and who's at fault, and the fact that none of the affected manufacturers are yet officially pointing fingers at Apple almost a week after iOS 6 was released is, IMHO, telling.

(For that matter, so is the fact that, iOS 6 development seeds have been available to manufacturers for in-house testing for several months.)