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skierrob2 Author

Level 1

38 points

iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

I have a new iPhone SE and have so far paired it to a 2014 BMW 328i and a 2011 Kia Optima and a 2015 Kia Santa Fe. In all cases, I have terrible quality bluetooth call reception... the audio while on a phone call is extremely scratchy and distorted.

If I pair an iPhone 6S to each of these vehicles (same iOS version - 9.3.1), I do NOT experience these issues and calls are clear.

When I use the iPhone SE to make phone calls outside of Bluetooth, I have no issues and calls are clear.

This bluetooth issue on my iPhone SE does NOT impact Bluetooth music streaming. Only sounds scratchy / distorted with phone calls.

Apple, so far, is blaming the vehicle manufacturers despite there being multiple vehicle models and brands involved.

BMW and Kia state this must be an Apple problem.

Apple Genius bar is absolutely no help -- they state they can't report "software issues" to Apple and are only able to replace bad iPhones.

I'm at a complete loss as to how to get this to Apple's attention so they can fix the issue.

For now, I don't know what to do. All I know is that Bluetooth audio is very important to me in California since it is illegal to use your phone except in a hands free manner.

Anyone know how we can get this information to someone at Apple that can actually do something about it?

Robert

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 5:27 PM

934 replies

joym126

Level 1

4 points

Apr 18, 2016 10:45 AM in response to joym126

Also, in reference to the rattle. Both the SEs I had rattled and when I asked the guy at the Apple Store about it, he said there is a cylinder in there connected to the switch on the side that changes the phone to vibrate and that's what it is. Don't know if that's really true or not. My 5S did not rattle and neither do the other 2 in my household (a 5S and a 5C). I really don't understand it, since it's the same case as the 5S.

cccjr

Level 1

4 points

Apr 18, 2016 11:26 AM in response to skierrob2

2014 Dodge Durango Uconnect horrible bluetooth calls as well. 😟

lappat

Level 1

4 points

Apr 18, 2016 11:59 AM in response to skierrob2

I would like to add that this problem does NOT only occur when using bluetooth. yes, it seems to be worsened by bluetooth, but it occurs just as frequently when used the old fashioned way by holding the actual phone to one's ear. No headphones; no bluetooth. Terrible sound quality. Still gets static, feedback and cutting out of sound all together for several seconds. I'm already on a second SE as Apple told me I was the only person to report these issues the day after I purchased it.

Apr 18, 2016 2:48 PM in response to sunilwankhede

I have the same problem with a 2015 Chevy Cruze with MyLink and I just concluded a chat session. My specialist IOS advisor also confirms Apple engineering is working the Bluetooth SE audio problems. I plan to suffer through using the speaker for a while because the phone is ideal for my uses.

Apr 18, 2016 3:55 PM in response to skierrob2

I have the same issue with distorted sound only on phone SE calls when connected to a hand's free arrangement. I have paired it with several cars and have had the same distorted results. One interesting item to add is that is also just as distorted if you turn off bluetooth and connect the phone directly to the radio with the lightning cable. I hope Apple figures this one out soon The Iphone SE is currently unusable in hand's free mode in a car.

Apr 18, 2016 3:59 PM in response to MCextreme

I thought mine was fixed with a reset but it isn't, i am out of my 14 day return now.

Apple need to get their act together, its a safety issue for drivers, they can't just leave people hanging, if they can't fix it with a software update they need to start the re call. Its a month now. This threads now up to 21 pages.

Maybe they will wait till someone out of frustration of not hearing the caller picks up their phone and kills themselves or someone else.

This is why we need/use bluetooth APPLE.

Apr 18, 2016 4:10 PM in response to MCextreme

If its like that when not using BT then this has to be a hardware issue.

Apr 18, 2016 4:15 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

"Apple need to get their act together"

Sounds like you need to get your act together, you decided to keep a broke phone after the 14 day period, that's crazy. You couldve returned the phone and repurchased it at a later date

Senna67

Level 1

8 points

Apr 18, 2016 4:13 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

So at this moment nobody has a working SE.

Apr 18, 2016 4:17 PM in response to Senna67

idk about that

akordion

Level 1

15 points

Apr 18, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Senna67

Did any one try to replace the sim card as a troubleshooting step?

Apr 18, 2016 4:20 PM in response to akordion

i did, no help

akordion

Level 1

15 points

Apr 18, 2016 4:32 PM in response to grantfromhickory

I was going to replace sim, but if you already tried, then there is no need for that. Thanks! May I ask, what is your carrier?

Apr 18, 2016 4:35 PM in response to akordion

Verizon. The phone came with a new one installed but I took it out and used the one out of my 5s before the first boot. After having problems mentioned throughout this thread I activated the new one that came with the phone, no help at all.

Apr 18, 2016 4:53 PM in response to akordion

My carrier is ATT

Sent from Mike's Phone

iPhone SE Bluetooth issues