Siri will not connect in 2015 Mini Cooper

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Level 1

21 points

Siri will not connect in 2015 Mini Cooper

Hi -- I'm experiencing an issue with the bluetooth connection between my iPhone 5s and my 2015 4-door Mini Cooper (F56) in regards to Siri. I have the base model audio system, so using the button on the steering wheel is not an option.

In my previous Mini Cooper (a 2010), I was able to hold down the home button on my iPhone to activate Siri (as usual) and she would come on over the bluetooth connection in the car.

In my new Mini, holding down the home button does activate Siri, but the microphone does not cut through the car audio and the soundwave on the phone doesn't register a thing. If I plug in the dock connector and change the bluetooth audio source to "Dock Connector", it can hear me through the phone's mic, but I have to do this audio input switch each time I get in the car -- a big step down from the way it used to function seamlessly.

I called Mini Cooper's tech support on this issue and they claim their people are aware of the issue and that it's with the iPhone software somehow and that "Apple they are well aware of this and they are working on a fix". SO, my actual question...

Is Apple actually working on this issue or is Mini just passing the buck? If Apple is working on it, is there an estimate of when this problem might be addressed?It's become a fairly important part of the way I drive so it would be a big help to have the functionality back.

Posted on May 28, 2015 7:48 PM

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Answer 1

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KatValentine

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2015 8:39 PM in response to John Waters1

This is just a me too (I wish I had an answer instead) . . . I just discovered the same problem. I had a 2012 Mini that worked perfectly with Siri but my new 2015 refuses to allow Siri to hear/talk to me. So if anyone does have a resolution, please, please help.

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Answer 2

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Jun 3, 2015 8:43 PM in response to KatValentine

If it worked on your car before but doesn't work on the new model you probably need to talk to your Mini dealer.

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Answer 3

Jun 3, 2015 8:48 PM in response to deggie

I plan on stopping by the dealership tomorrow and have emailed Mini's bluetooth people, but I figured I would try this side of things too.

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Answer 4

John Waters1 Author

Level 1

21 points

Jun 15, 2015 8:24 PM in response to deggie

I went to my Mini dealer -- they directed me to customer service, who eventually left a voice mail for me stating that it was an Apple issue that they are "well aware of".

Basically, I just want to know if Apple's working on fixing this. Who should I talk to about figuring that out?

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Answer 5

Jul 3, 2015 8:49 AM in response to John Waters1

Did you take the navigation system?? Which includes voice recognition?? I didn't take it because I don't need all the other options, I just needed the voice recognition which I found out AFTER I bought the car that It was no longer included… This is an accident waiting to happen because you have to scroll down your phone numbers while trying to watch the road…

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Answer 6

Aterzian

Level 1

4 points

Apr 10, 2016 3:16 AM in response to John Waters1

This isn't an apple issue. Mini has disabled this feature on basic radio. If you have Google Chrome use the voice search feature and you'll see that it hears you through the bt mic. Also your turn by turn plays through your speakers too using bt.

Mini denied that this was their problem.

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Answer 7

chachat

Level 1

20 points

Apr 24, 2016 9:30 PM in response to Aterzian

Any thoughts on solutions to this issue? Using Siri to be handsfree I find to be very helpful as I am frequently in places where I am unfamiliar with the local roads etc. I have been hoping for some basic update that would allow this but I suppose that will not happen anytime soon.

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Answer 8

Oct 3, 2016 10:53 PM in response to John Waters1

I have a 2016 F56 JCW, and I know if you hold down the voice command button on the steering wheel it will activate Siri. I have the system with the XL screen. So, I'm not sure if there will be a difference.

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Answer 9

Oct 27, 2016 6:16 PM in response to John Waters1

Similarly, Maps will not do navigation through the BT only through the phone speakers or when docked, unlike Google maps that has the option for "treat navigation like a phone connection" so it pauses music etc and provides navigation.

I have a 2013 with MINI Connected (no issue), 2013 MINI w/ basic radio (has Issue), and a 2016 MINI w/ basic radio (has issue)...yes, I like MINI's... I too do a lot of solo travel and hands free audio navigation is crucial and have gone so far as to use a 3rd party BT connected to my AUX ports (which works great but less flexible and not preffered since only works when radio is set to Aux input), it would be great if;

Maps and/or SIRI worked through the BT connection like it does with all my other BT devices,
Apple provided a setting option similar to what Google offers in their map app ("treat like a phone conversation") so when in the car I can maintain hands free / eyes free.

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