skierrob2

Q: 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

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Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

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  • by MotleyDiver,

    MotleyDiver MotleyDiver Apr 11, 2016 2:50 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 11, 2016 2:50 AM in response to skierrob2

    Add 2013 Infiniti G37 to your list of cars the iPhone SE Bluetooth is scratchy and distorted. Multiple re-pairing and restore did not fix it.

  • by Steve9881,

    Steve9881 Steve9881 Apr 11, 2016 2:54 AM in response to MotleyDiver
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 2:54 AM in response to MotleyDiver

    Well, i swapped mine on saturday, the replacent came with ios 9.3 on it, so i left it alone, hoping it would make a difference. Sadly though, it hasnt. The new phone has the same issues, totally uselless trying to hold a conversation over bluetooth. I'll be returning this one as well tommorrow while under the 14 day period, and seeking an alternative device.

  • by dfellon,

    dfellon dfellon Apr 11, 2016 3:48 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 3:48 AM in response to skierrob2

    Good morning - just thought I'd relay my response from Apple.  I talked to a tech who was very helpful, and upgraded the problem to a Sr. iOS Advisor within about 10 minutes.  In speaking to him, we swapped a couple messages, he asked me to do a restore through iTunes, not through the phone itself, and try sync'ing the bluetooth with my vehicles before loading anything else or restoring from a backup, just to rule that out.  Most of you indicated it did nothing for you, and I had the same experience - no improvement.

     

    I got a follow-up message from him last night that he found some more details on another internal note and some of the details we collected is what they were after.  He did note that the quick answer is this is likely going to take more than the return period to resolve from the looks of the issue at the moment.  So, it seems they are certainly aware of the problem, and I would echo what others said that the more people that can report the issue, the better.  Apple was very acknowledging of the fact that we shouldn't have to deal with this issue and understand people wanting to return these while still in the 14-day period.

     

    Just my experience, so hopefully it's of use.  I downgraded back to my 5S in the meantime.  Maybe once this is resolved, I'll re-upgrade to the SE.

  • by tecoservice,

    tecoservice tecoservice Apr 11, 2016 8:00 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 8:00 AM in response to skierrob2

    I have the same issue with 2015 Chevy Tahoe and 2010 Silverado p/u and I have tried 3 iPhone SE and all do the same thing

  • by grace4u,

    grace4u grace4u Apr 11, 2016 8:29 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 8:29 AM in response to skierrob2

    I saw in one post about turning off LTE. That did clear up ALOT of my static but my call kept dropping so not a functional solution. Broken hearted. Taking mine back today (I'm on day 11 of 14) and will be stuck getting the 6S as I gave my perfectly good IPhone 5 away.    

  • by palmas69,

    palmas69 palmas69 Apr 11, 2016 10:59 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 10:59 AM in response to skierrob2

    My unlucky experience with new iPhone SE (and its BT bug) ended this morning with return, refund and purchase of a new iPhone 6S..  Good luck to all, dear friends!

  • by Tunnezza,

    Tunnezza Tunnezza Apr 11, 2016 11:00 AM in response to grace4u
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 11:00 AM in response to grace4u

    I owned iPhone 5, 5S, 6 Plus and 6S, and all worked fine with my VW Golf bluetooth. My SE has issues: whoever talks to me apparently seems to hear me well, on the contrary I experience glitches, and other audio malfunctions. Music streaming via bluetooth on the contrary works as usual. I called Apple Support, and they kept me 20 minutes trying to convince me to upgrade my car's bluetooth firmware, or to re-pair the phone. I sincerely hope this is a software issue, and I'm glad I'm not alone.

  • by giacomofromcatania,

    giacomofromcatania giacomofromcatania Apr 11, 2016 11:45 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 11:45 AM in response to skierrob2

    I Have the same issue with my SE + Peugeot 208 (year 2012) updated to last Smeg firmware.

    Apple, please fix this bug very soo!

  • by avbbva58,

    avbbva58 avbbva58 Apr 11, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Allisonm67
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Allisonm67

    Same issue here, brand new 2016 Bmw m235 and the Bluetooth connection with the phone is terrible, no issues with music over Bluetooth.

  • by Holweger23,

    Holweger23 Holweger23 Apr 11, 2016 1:00 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 1:00 PM in response to skierrob2

    well after trying the troubleshooting tips. I contacted apple support.  It only took a few messages and he knew what issue i was talking about.  Here is What i have gotten out of him so far.

    Thanks for contacting AppleCare chat support. My name is Matthew. How can I help you?

    Me:Matthew i just got the iphone se last week. i have noticed now in 2 different cars that my bluetooth calls are very scratchy and distorted.

    Me:09 chevy silverado and a 15 ford f350 i had a 5s before and the call quality was much better.

    MatthewI am so sorry that you are experiencing this issue with the phone calls over bluetooth being scratchy like that.

    MatthewI know that we want the class to be clear all the time.

    MatthewWould you mind me asking some questions to get a better idea about whats happening here?

    I can assure you that I will do all I can through chat to get this resolved today, or get you on the right path to resolution.

    MatthewAre you still there?

    Me:sounds good. i have read about the issue on apple support communities. that there is a number of people having the same issue.

    Me:but yes i can answer any questions you would like

    MatthewCan you tell me if you’ve tried any troubleshooting steps on your own?

    It’s okay if you have not; I just want to make sure that I’m on the same page as you, and not repeat anything you have tried.

    Me:deleted all learned BT devices on my phone and also on the 2 pickups and relearned them both. not seeing any change

    MatthewGive me a fee moments to look into this for you and see what we can figure out here.

    Me:also i tried it with os9.3 and also 9.3.1

    MatthewAfter speaking with my team here it looks like this is something that we are aware of and are working to resolve as quickly as possible.

    MatthewI am so sorry for the inconvenience and we would ask to watch for any updates and releases that will correct this temporary issue.

    Me:so its sounds like a software issue and not a hardware issue?

    MatthewYes that is correct.

    MatthewIf it was hardware we would be seeing the same issue with bluetooth streaming of music

    MatthewI can tell you with something like this is will be looked at hard and fast to get resolved.

    Me:sounds good so currently its a waiting game for an update to come out.

    MatthewYeah thats whats unofficially being looked at here.

    MatthewJay, you have been great!

    Your satisfaction here today is very important to me, so may I ask if you feel very satisfied with the steps we have taken or the plan of resolution here to get this worked out?

    Me:as of now i guess theres not much i can do until an update comes out. But we did get to the fact it was an issue quickly.

    MatthewYes and I do apologize for that, as these types of situations are frustrating and we don’t want to have you trying all sorts of restores to verify its hardware when its a situation we are working on.


    so i guess its a waiting game now

  • by BrizziTurin,

    BrizziTurin BrizziTurin Apr 11, 2016 1:07 PM in response to avbbva58
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 1:07 PM in response to avbbva58

    I have the same issue with my blue&me Alfa Romeo Giulietta and also My portable JBL Speaker

    Apple I think this is awful for your quality standard and your brand this 2000's generation issue

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion Apr 11, 2016 1:13 PM in response to Holweger23
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 11, 2016 1:13 PM in response to Holweger23

    We as users pretty much have 2 options:

     

    1) Return the device, then re-buy it once the issue is cleared

    2) Wait for it to get fixed via Software update(as mentioned that is shouldn't be hardware issue)

     

    I am opting for #2 and just hope that Apple will have a quick turnaround in rectifying this issue.

  • by BrizziTurin,

    BrizziTurin BrizziTurin Apr 11, 2016 1:25 PM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 1:25 PM in response to akordion

    I Really hope that it is only software issue, i switched from samsung to have the best assistance and the best product in the market....

  • by Senna67,

    Senna67 Senna67 Apr 11, 2016 1:37 PM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 11, 2016 1:37 PM in response to akordion

    akordion wrote:

     

    We as users pretty much have 2 options:

     

    1) Return the device, then re-buy it once the issue is cleared

    2) Wait for it to get fixed via Software update(as mentioned that is shouldn't be hardware issue)

     

    I am opting for #2 and just hope that Apple will have a quick turnaround in rectifying this issue.

    I Agree

  • by ianrm57,

    ianrm57 ianrm57 Apr 11, 2016 2:05 PM in response to BrizziTurin
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 11, 2016 2:05 PM in response to BrizziTurin

    I Really hope that it is only software issue, i switched from samsung to have the best assistance and the best product in the market....

     

    Hi, BrizziTurin

     

    Was wondering what you opinion is regarding the Difference between the Samsung and IPhone, if you ignore the Bluetooth issues.? I've never tried the Android, tho I would probably have bought one if I wasn't given an iPhone as a gift first. Also did you have a top of the range Samsung?

     

    A friend has a Sony Xperia that cost about $100 which is crap, but I'm obviously not comparing apples with apples.

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