iOS 9 lightening to USB audio clicks and pops

Same issue here:

2012 Chevy Volt

Bose Audio system

iOS 9.1

Iphone 6s Plus

cracking and pops via usb port connector. No problems running through aux input (analog 1/8th inch stereo input)

Hopefully 9.2 will solve this

Many people seem to think this is an iOS9 + GM issue, but it's been going longer than that.

I have a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L (with Bose audio) and have had the issue since purchase 18 months ago (was that iOS7?). At first everyone at Nissan and Apple denied that there even was an issue, so it's good that so many of you have reported the issue to Apple.

I have a mix of 320MP3 and ALAC lossless files, so I originally presumed that was the issue, but the popping is indiscriminate across files.

This has been a serious problem for a long time. Considering I've always used Apple for audio related work, this is potentially my biggest gripe with their software in over 10 years. I have actually considered moving away from iPhone purely to resolve this issue.

2011 GMC Terrain SLT2 just spent a week at the dealership for this issue. Replaced USB port in center console, replaced receiver, still pops and clicks. Sounds like I am playing a dirty, abused record! Changing cords, 6 Plus, iPad, Pandora or stored music, no change. Plug in my old 2nd gen iPod and beauty!

I think since the Beats acquisition, Apple may have tweaked the data stream out of their player software to enhance the sound.

I believe the USB out of our devices is a digital signal and converted to audio by a DAC in our radios. I suspect the pops and clicks are data in the stream that is outside the parameters of our DAC chips.

I hope Apple can fix this. Maybe by sensing the handshake between the DAC's and changing the audio profile?

Apple, HELP!

You're right: the problem is not in your car, it's in the iOS software. However, it's not just the music app, it's the whole iOS9 audio system that had this issue. Any audio you play under iOS9 will pop and click. Even stuff like Apple/Google Maps directions.

There is some good news however: iOS9.2 does seem to fix the issue. There still are some issues under 9.2 where long audio files have similair issues (see above). But if you wait out until iOS9.2 your audio nightmare should be over 🙂

Hello here ...

I've just been dropped here because I was looking for people who had the same problem than me and I'm happy not to be alone in this mess ...

I have an Audi A1 with AMI sound system and since I've done the iOS 9.1 update on my iPod Touch 5G (it was under iOS 8 before), it makes me cry but no way I can play music from my iPod ... this is quite ... embarrassing 😟

I've read few pages of this thread and I really hope that the 9.2 update will fix the problem. Before the iOS 9.1 update, everything just worked fine ...

On my side, I can't play any music from my iPod, neither with the lightning cable or with Bluetooth. I do usually use the cable.

Kind regards,

Cedric

Same problem.

I own a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2011, and this problem started just yesterday, out of nowhere.

I was listening to music with my iPhone 6s via factory usb port in my car, went to a family dinner, and when I turned the radio back again, the noise appeared.

I think I'm gonna try installing the Public Beta. I'll let you know.

Possible Solution?...

After reading that this is a software -iPhone related- problem, I restarted my iPhone and when connected to the usb port in my car, it didn't give me no problem whatsoever. I don't know if it's a permanent fix, but for now it's working just fine.

Same issue here with an iPhone 6s plus and iOS 9.1.

Not only car audio systems are affected.

When I connect the iPhone to a Sound Blaster E5 USB DAC / Headphone Amp with a Lightning - USB cable I get the same static clicks and pops as described ny many of you.

Connection via Bluetooth works flawless but I prefer a cable connection.

An Android Sony Xperia Z2 works without error with cable and Bluetooth connection.

Hi Everyone. An interesting development to this. It seems Apple are on their way to fixing this with iOS 9.2. I downloaded the latest iOS 9.2 Public Beta (currently at Beta 4) and the issue has almost gone away. The crackling and popping is definitely less often (every couple of songs, not every couple of seconds like before) but definitely a huge improvement.

You can sign up for the public beta here: https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/ and download the iOS 9.2 beta straight away, which will improve the issue. Or, I suppose iOS 9.2 will be out normally (non beta) soon, if you didn't want to install beta software on your iOS device.

I've got a 2011 Holden Cruze with the infotainment system. Very pleased that Apple are getting this resolved!

I Have the same problem after 9.1 update called support and told them no problem with other devices without update. They don't want to believe us that there is a software problem.

Yes I agree. Having this issue in a 2012 Cadillac SRX and took it into the dealer. We tested the iOS device on three other same year cars and did not have the problem. My radio looks the same as all the other cars but has a different build code. It's a premium system that they said was only sold in a small number of cars. I have a great relationship with the dealer and they took the time to escalate to the GM audio liaison who has contacted Apple. Waiting for feedback.

It seems this thread is now heavily moderated and most posts seem to get removed. I really have no idea why, but several of my replies and those of others who have contributed to get this issue resolved keep getting removed. The problem however is not fully gone, so don't get your hopes up too high.

Issue: stuttering and seek/skip like sounds will occur when playing long audio files over USB connection in Opel Ampera. The issue will arise anywhere between 3 and 30 minutes into a track or audio file. The issue will arise only when the phone is locked.

This only happens when the device is in LOCKED mode

It can be recreated easily:

1. - Play a long audio file and wait for the issue to occur.
2. - Once the issue occurs, UNLOCK the phone and the issue will be resolved.
3. - Once the phone is LOCKED again (either auto-lock or manual) the issue will come back immediately.
   

• PAUSING the playback and waiting around 5-10 seconds until playing again will also resolve the issue temporarily.
  
• It can be predominantly heard using spoken word media. The issue will happen with music, but due to high dynamics certain music types can have, the issue might be less noticeable.

My message got deleted too.. So they dont want us to talk about this major issue!

COME on APPLE! So give us some answers instead of denying and sensor the truth!!...

We have been polite, patient and seriously helpful for the engineers...

Give us something to feed on!

UPDATE: The clicking is fixed with today's iOS 9.2 release. But, as others had pointed out along the Public Beta path, a new issue has arisen. Mine is that after a few songs (between 2 and 5), the audio starts being garbled and skippy about 10 seconds in. Pause and play gives it a few seconds of clear audio again, but it returns. Unplugging the cable and connecting it again fixes it for another round. I'll do more testing another day.

iOS 9.2, iPhone 6s, Apple Music, 2011 Saab 9-5.