iPhone 6 won't auto connect to Bluetooth in my Subaru Forrester

Question

Level 1

13 points

iPhone 6 won't auto connect to Bluetooth in my Subaru Forrester

Unlike a lot of people who are having iPhone 6 issues with Bluetooth, mine connects, but only if I go in and manually connect it each time I turn the car on. I've tried deleting the device from the phone, deleting the phone from the car, resetting the network settings. I don't want to reset to factory settings, because it is able to connect, but it would be really nice if it would connect on it's own like my iPhone 5 did......

Any other suggestions would be appreciated...

iPhone 6, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Jan 4, 2015 9:20 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 10, 2017 11:59 AM in response to lauram77

Did you figure out how to solve this? I just switched over to the iPhone7 (previously had Samsung Galaxy) and my iPhone will not automatically connect to the Bluetooth in my Subaru Impreza. My samsung phone automatically connected every time I got into the car.

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Answer 2

Brett L

Community Specialist

Jan 6, 2015 8:27 AM in response to lauram77

Hey lauram77,

If you are having an issue with having to connect your iPhone to your car stereo manually each time you use it, I would suggest that you troubleshoot using the steps in this article -

Get help using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your car stereo - Apple Support

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Be well,

Brett L

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Answer 3

Jan 31, 2015 4:11 PM in response to lauram77

I am having the exact same issue - iPhone 6 with Subaru forester needing manual connect every time. Were you able to resolve it?

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2015 4:19 PM in response to lauram77

I would also make sure that the make of the car allows the use of Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology which is the standard bluetooth tech for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plu,

most old makes of car bluetooth can only handel Bluetooth 3.0 and 2.5 tech you can find that out by going to your makers website or your drivers manual.

There are car adapters that are bluetooth 4.0 capable that you can find online ex. amazon.com

Hope this helps.

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Answer 5

lauram77 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 31, 2015 5:43 PM in response to gdrobins0

Yes! The answer was pretty simple, but in my opinion not obvious. The problem was that I had done the pairing through the stereo. Apparently, you have to do it through the steering wheel by setting up the handsfree. The handsfree set up will take of the blue tooth too, so you don't even need to do the bluetooth pairing! Wish the car's manual had mentioned that detail! I didn't even think of hands-free as only ever use that function to answer a call!

Do delete it from the blue tooth before re-setting up the handsfree. Hope that makes it work for you!

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Answer 6

Feb 5, 2015 8:59 PM in response to lauram77

That did it. Thanks!

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Answer 7

Feb 11, 2015 10:40 PM in response to gdrobins0

Holy crap I've been trying to figure this out for months. So thankful for stumbling across your post. It worked when I set it up through the steering wheel. I applaud you. Thanks!

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Answer 8

bdge104

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2015 5:30 AM in response to lauram77

Our 2012 Subaru Forester Bluetooth wouldn't connect to IPhone 6 (plus), this method of going through the phone set up on the voice commands on steering wheel worked! Thanks!!

I first deleted the phone through the radio head unit prior to voice setup.

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Answer 9

k46

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2015 9:28 AM in response to lauram77

Thanks so much for this post. It solved my problem!!!

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Answer 10

wrapper

Level 1

4 points

Mar 16, 2015 10:13 AM in response to lauram77

I updated to iOS 8.2 this weekend and the Bluetooth is working just fine.... cross your fingers.

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Answer 11

Mar 18, 2015 12:01 PM in response to lauram77

What level of Forester do you have? My steering wheel doesn't have setup controls...?

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Answer 12

wrapper

Level 1

4 points

Mar 18, 2015 12:22 PM in response to claymonster

I have a 2011 Outback Sport. I have a panel on the console, no phone controls on the steering wheel.

iOS 8.2 bought back my BlueConnect.

I lost my ability to connect reliably about a year ago with a previous update around iOS 7.1

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Answer 13

sirbones

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2015 12:55 PM in response to lauram77

Yes, that worked! How did you ever figure that one out? I might have gone until both my phone and car were long gone without figuring that one out. Amazing; really glad I came across your answer. Thanks so much.

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Answer 14

May 7, 2015 6:44 PM in response to lauram77

I have been racking my brain trying to figure this out... THANK YOU! That's silly that you can't set it up on the stereo...

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Answer 15

May 28, 2015 11:53 AM in response to lauram77

Can you tell me how to do this? I have to pair my phone every time I get in my car. 😟

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