iPhone 5 bad bluetooth connection with headsets

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Level 10

148,236 points

iPhone 5 bad bluetooth connection with headsets

I have an iPhone 5 and the following symptoms happen when connected to a bluetooth headset (I have tried several bluetooth headsets with at least 3 new iPhone 5 with same results):

1. Bluetooth earpiece works fine when inside a car

2. Bluetooth earpiece works fine when phone is stationary and I am within 3 - 5 feet of it

3. Sound in bluetooth earpiece crackles badly when i am moving and phone in my shirt pocket

4. Sound in bluetooth earpiece crackles when outdoors and phone is more than 2 feet away from earpiece

Question is whether anyone has experienced this? I have exchanged my iPhone 5 three times and demonstrated this issue at the Apple store as well. I have purchased new bluetooth earpieces and paired them with the same results. Apple store told me that I should see an update and that should resolve it. If someone happens to have a solution then please share.

Axel F.

iPhone 5, iOS 6

Posted on Oct 20, 2012 7:06 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 25, 2012 9:46 AM in response to Axel Foley

Same problem here....two iphone5's and three bluetooth headsets...same exact problems you were having.

I returned my iphone 5 and went back to my iphone 3gs...now I have perfect bluetooth and perfect A2dp streaming.

How many millions of people will eventually have this problem...Apple is not recognizing it.

Iphone 5 = bad bluetooth, spread the word...save someone the time and cost of getting this inferior Apple product.

Maybe Apple should stop releasing something new every week and develop and test products that work, you know.

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Answer 2

Axel Foley Author

Level 10

148,236 points

Oct 31, 2012 9:46 AM in response to Axel Foley

No one else has any iPhone 5 bluetooth connection issues?

Axel F.

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Answer 3

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Oct 31, 2012 10:15 AM in response to Axel Foley

Nope, not at all.

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Answer 4

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,639 points

Nov 1, 2012 5:28 AM in response to Axel Foley

I wonder if it could be your BT devices and not the phone. The iPhone 5 has BT v4 (iPhone 3 BT v2.0, iPhones 3G , 4 BT v2.1 and iPhone 4S BT v4) perhaps they can't handle the more sophistcated BT. My iPhone is a week old. I tested with my BT device which is a year old and has BT v2.0 with HFP, A2DP and AVRCP. It functions perfectly with the iPhone 5. None of the issues that are mentioned here effect it. Because of the complaints here I put it through all of the paces.

This is my device, which lets me use my favorite headphones, including the new Apple earpods.

http://www.cellularinnovations.com/product/12

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Answer 5

Axel Foley Author

Level 10

148,236 points

Nov 3, 2012 11:55 AM in response to Dah•veed

I took my iPhone 5 (3rd replacement as mentioned in the original post) to the nearest Best Buy Stores and with the help of the salesperson began trying out the Blue tooth devices they had on display. I went through 5 different types. Bought one tested, same results, returned and on to the next one until I did this 5 times. I then gave up as in every case the results were the same as outlined in my original post.

Now, I am certain that it just isn't me but I also think it may not be widespread. I will need to keep my eyes open on this forum and look for Apple updates for the bluetooth portion of the iPhone 5.

Axel F.

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Answer 6

Dec 20, 2012 12:58 AM in response to Axel Foley

I have the exact same problem with my iPhone 5, with all 4 Bluetooth headsets (two different Jabras - BT530 and Jabra Extreme). IOS 6.0.1 the other day did nothing to fix the problem. I wish I had not given my wife my old iPhone 4S. The Bluetooth connectivity is unbearable. TO not be able to have your phone in your pocket, or turn and walk away more than 3 feet, is ridiculous!

Does anyone know if IOS 6.1 fixes the problems?

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Answer 7

Dec 20, 2012 4:36 AM in response to Axel Foley

Its the iphone 5 the bluetooth on mine doesnt work and is not recognizable on my HP computer. You would think apple would be all over this to fix it but I dont see much on here. Poor support so far.

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Answer 8

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,639 points

Dec 20, 2012 5:01 AM in response to andygottlieb

Does anyone know if IOS 6.1 fixes the problems?

iOS for the iPhone 5 is at 6.0.2, there is no iOS 6.1, so no one could answer that.

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Answer 9

Dubanov

Level 1

0 points

Dec 29, 2012 4:59 PM in response to Axel Foley

Hello,

I did my little experiment and found out that if the back of the phone is in close proximity with your skin(in your pockets, etc.) it greatly affects the signal or connection while moving around. I think the culprit is the aluminum back cover because I tried the having the front part of the phone facing me while in my pockets. No issues and no skipping. I know that this is a ridiculous work around. Anyone can confirm and try it out?

Cheers!

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Answer 10

Axel Foley Author

Level 10

148,236 points

Dec 30, 2012 7:20 PM in response to Dubanov

Dubanov:

You got me all excited on the success of your experiment however it didn't work for me. Still the same pops and breaking/skipping during bluetooth headset conversations while I was moving and the phone was in my pocket facing either way. I have version iOS version 6.02 on my iPhone 5 as well.

I would say double check your experiment and confirm back just for the heck of it.

Axel F.

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Answer 11

Dubanov

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2012 6:11 AM in response to Axel Foley

Hello Alex,

I am not getting any skips or breaks in my headset(using Beats Wireless) since my little experiment. I dont have any case for my phone, just a cheap screen protector for the front and back. I guess a replacement would be necessary. I think this is the "antennagate" of the new iPhone.

Hoping your phone issue will be fixed soon!

Dubanov

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Answer 12

Axel Foley Author

Level 10

148,236 points

Dec 31, 2012 7:47 AM in response to Dubanov

Dubanov:

LOL @ Antennagate!!

I hope its just not you and I with this issue. Well now, only me!

Axel F.

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Answer 13

Jan 7, 2013 3:31 AM in response to Axel Foley

Same here. I've got Motorola's Motorokr S9-HD headset and it was a nightmare using it outdoors with my old iPhone 4. I've hoped they'd fix this by now but it's even worse with my new iPhone 5. **** 😟

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Answer 14

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,639 points

Jan 7, 2013 6:16 AM in response to Evaldas L.

Motorola has always told me that to use this headset with iOS devices you must use the available 30 pin dongle. That tells me that Motorola knows that their device doesn't work properly with the iOS devices and they made this instead. That would be on Motorola, not Apple.

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Answer 15

Jan 7, 2013 6:48 AM in response to Dah•veed

Well, the problem is.. iPhone 5 has no 30 pin connector 🙂 And I still think iPhone is the problem because it's acting weird with BT handsfree in my car too: I keep getting complaints about noises from the people I call while driving.

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