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Bose Sound Docks are no longer compatible with Apple iPhones or iPods?

When plugging my iPhone 4S or 5, or my iPod 3rd Gen or 7th Gen into my Bose Sound Dock, I recieve a message that reads, "This iPhone/iPod is not compatible with this accessory" and will not play stored music.

Background Info:

- The Bose Sound Dock was designed to support Apple products.

- All software/OS on the Apple products is current as of Dec 2013.

- The Bose product doesn't have update-able software associated with it.

- Clearly, something has changed with the Apple products.

What can be done to fix this so that iPhones and iPods will play again on Bose products?


I've unplugged/replugged the Bose Sound Dock, and I've powered down and powered up the Apple products expecting that something would reset, but these steps have proved to be ineffective and nothing has changed.

iPhone 4S, iOS 7.0.4, Also applies to iPhone 5, iPod 3rd

Posted on Dec 2, 2013 9:55 AM

Reply
63 replies

Mar 13, 2014 5:13 PM in response to bluehydrangea

I have the same problem with Ipod Nano. It has always both played and charged on my Bose dock. I haven'd had the ipod connected to a computer for at least a year and maybe it was 2 years. During this time I have had several Apple Itunes updates on my computers, but they never "touched" the ipod. With a recent computer purchase, I updated all Itunes and plugged the ipod in to change some playlists. Since that moment my ipod no longer charges on the Bose dock, but it will still play. It is obviously an Apple problem!

Mar 14, 2014 6:40 PM in response to JAG2014

Up to two days ago I was able to play both my iPhone 5 and ipod nano 5th on my BOSE

SoundDock® 10 Bluetooth® digital music

and now none is working giving me the same message as others posting above....Can someone please let me know what is the lastest on this issue...since I live outside de USA and in an island away from any reliable stores or repair shops...!

Apr 13, 2014 8:00 AM in response to JAG2014

Same with me. My iPhone4 used to work with the Sound Dock, but not any more (unsupported device). Same thing happened with the sound system in my car (via USB-to-30 pin connection). 30 pin connector on the phone is OK, as it communicates with iTunes on the computer just fine. I suspect the upgrade to iOS 7.1, but of course only Apple would know for sure.


This is about the unforgiveable sin in my book. Software updates should never cause loss of function -- especially with sole purpose accessories like the Sound Dock. Never. Not to mention that the silence from Apple on this topic is telling, with this issue having been raised for months now, both for this device and for the car systems.


I'd hope that these support forums are actually places for Apple to lend solutions, and not just places to vent. If it turns out to be the latter, that might just send me to the Google-verse.


P.S. Sound Dock works fine with my wife's iPhone 3GS.

Apr 14, 2014 8:39 AM in response to JAG2014

My ipod nano (small one with the clip) worked just fine with my Bose dock and I even recently purchased a second dock. After a recent ipod update on iTunes they stopped working. The docks don't even recognize that there is an ipod on them any longer. I love Apple products but there are some things that just make me sick. 1. Not being able to update Flash on all products. Why not when I have paid for these devices? 2. My ipod no longer working on my Bose speakers. Why? Because Apple doesn't make money from Bose? I sure hope Apple fixes this with my ipod.


I tried the restore and resync and that did not work! BTW my iPod still works on an old speaker that I have but that company must have paid money to Apple since it says stuff about ipod right on it. It is at my cottage and I can't recall the make at the moment.

Apr 15, 2014 10:14 AM in response to JAG2014

I just purchased one of these Bose sound docks first gen. I have the same one at home, bought this used one for work. one charges my ipod and the used one I just bought does not. is there a fix for this? sounds is good but I have to stop listening in order to charge my ipod now when my other one works perfectly fine.

May 11, 2014 1:16 AM in response to JAG2014

It's not just BOSE !! We have a BOSE Sound dock and a Phillips one. My wife and I have identical iPhone 4's. I update first before she does. From Mid-late March when I updated my phone it can no longer plays music through either dock. They do charge it though. Message = 'Accessory Not Compatible ......." when plug into either. This message has not appeared for the previous 2 yeras.


My wife's phone is working just fine. Very annoying.


Might be time to take up that offer from the Telco to switch to an Android phone.

Jun 25, 2014 2:27 PM in response to natnol

I was told by "the Samsung marketing lady" in a Best Buy store that Apple had recently fixed the I-pod/Bose sound dock problem. She said to allow I-tunes to update to the newest version. I have not had the nerve to try it yet. I have been trying to revert back to an older version of I-tunes, but have not found one that will fix the problem yet.

Bose Sound Docks are no longer compatible with Apple iPhones or iPods?

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