Chandy911

Q: iPhone 7 Plus bluetooth audio issue with BMW ConnectedDrive

Hi,

 

I just upgraded to an iPhone 7 Plus running iOS 10.0.1 and am having issues playing music through Bluetooth on BMW ConnectedDrive.  I've upgraded the BMW software on my car to the latest version from BMW's website, but i still get disconnected on bluetooth after about 5-10 secs after playing music.  I've tried to restore the phone and set It up as a new phone.  I've deleted the connection both on the device and car, but the issue persists.  Is anybody else encountering this problem?

 

Thanks!

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 16, 2016 11:59 PM

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Q: iPhone 7 Plus bluetooth audio issue with BMW ConnectedDrive

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  • by vansbutsneakers,

    vansbutsneakers vansbutsneakers Sep 28, 2016 1:16 PM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 28, 2016 1:16 PM in response to Chandy911

    Im scheduled for a log call today at about 1 PM PST. This means they're aware of the issue and critically working on it.

     

    From my hardware/software experience as a developer, it seems that the bluetooth protocol (basically the way the bluetooth chip is programmed to communicate) is too new for most car systems which usually come with bluetooth chips that don't really focus on higher-rate higher-quality audio connections; which is what the iPhone 7/7+ is transmitting. In other words, the iPhone is sending bluetooth frequencies that are way too dense for the Bluetooth receiver in your cars to understand, causing a freeze (speaking on behalf of BMW) because of an overload of data.

     

    If my research is correct, the iPhone 7/7+ comes with Bluetooth 4.2, which is backwards compatible all the way back to Bluetooth 4.0 if the iPhone is transmitting in Low Energy (since 4.0 is when the Low energy tech was introduced); and backwards compatible all the way to Bluetooth 1.1 if it's transmitting in Basic/Enhanced data rate.

     

    The question now is, does the iPhone 7 transfer audio data through Low Energy? 

    • If Yes, then our BMW's need to have at least Bluetooth 4.0.

     

    • If No, then our BMW's can have any version of Bluetooth starting from 1.1 (Which is almost guaranteed).

     

    Another question is, Which bluetooth protocol does BMW use?

    This seems to be an issue with cars (BMW only) dating all the way back from 2014, and Bluetooth 4.0 was first implemented around 2010-2011. Therefore, your BMW is probably using Bluetooth 4.0 (I may be wrong). That being said:


    iPhone 7/7+ (whether transmitting in Low Energy or Basic/Enhanced Data rate) should be compatible (hardware wise) with your BMW.


    So what may be the issue? The iPhone software may not be properly recognizing the BMW's Bluetooth 4.0, and therefor sending data (audio) at the Bluetooth 4.2 rate (250% faster than Bluetooth 4.0); which is much higher than what Bluetooth 4.0 can handle (10 times the data capacity).



    Just my two cents. Thoughts?

  • by davidsignal,

    davidsignal davidsignal Sep 28, 2016 1:25 PM in response to vansbutsneakers
    Level 3 (549 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 28, 2016 1:25 PM in response to vansbutsneakers

    This issue is directly related to the cellular signals used by the iPhone 7.   I think it might only be a problem for GSM signals (AT&T).  It will go away if only using BT and wifi.  ie: airplane mode.  Submit a bug report to Apple.

  • by Nierne,

    Nierne Nierne Sep 28, 2016 2:05 PM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 28, 2016 2:05 PM in response to Chandy911

    BMW have to fix this. Every iPhone 7 user will encounter problem. Only iPhone 7's... as i had Beta 10.0 on my 6s before with no issue. It's driving me crazy, and have to use the workaround mentioned in this space of first connecting to Bluetooth then right away cable up with USB... But for a luxury car and luxury phone, come on.. really poor.

  • by peakaye,

    peakaye peakaye Sep 29, 2016 12:37 AM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 29, 2016 12:37 AM in response to Chandy911

    Sorry I don't have any solution but just to add my vote to this - other apple phones work fine in my 2013 4 series but not the new iPhone 7 - connects and then drops around 20 seconds later and then can't reconnect. Tried all the forget/delete, reconnect, change audio switch to "Bluetooth Headset" in Accessibility - no difference.  #frustrating you upgrade anmd lose the very basic features.

  • by vansbutsneakers,

    vansbutsneakers vansbutsneakers Sep 29, 2016 11:03 AM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 11:03 AM in response to Chandy911

    i sent my log files to Apple yesterday. The engineering team asked for them

  • by MDaytona,

    MDaytona MDaytona Sep 29, 2016 7:41 PM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 7:41 PM in response to Chandy911

    I had the same problem too, exactly. I think it has something to do with not allowing access to Siri while the phone is locked, and the audio chip turning off. What fixed it for me was to just allow Siri access while the phone is locked ( until the issue is fixed) ,  and Bluetooth music playback and using Siri over Bluetooth works perfectly. I hope this helps some folks.

  • by murumoto,

    murumoto murumoto Sep 29, 2016 7:49 PM in response to MDaytona
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 7:49 PM in response to MDaytona

    GGood for you. siri has been enabled at lock screen for me all along so this is not gonna do it for me.

  • by MDaytona,

    MDaytona MDaytona Sep 29, 2016 8:22 PM in response to murumoto
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 8:22 PM in response to murumoto

    If it helps, both "Hey Siri" and Siri "access on lock screen" had to be turned on for the problem to go away for me.  After enabling both features, I then removed and re-paired the phone to the car before it started working normally.   Other things which may or may not matter--my pairing code is a real code, not all zeros.  I've seen that trip up devices before.

  • by King of Pumkins,

    King of Pumkins King of Pumkins Sep 30, 2016 11:41 AM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 30, 2016 11:41 AM in response to Chandy911

    Me too.

  • by King of Pumkins,

    King of Pumkins King of Pumkins Sep 30, 2016 11:49 AM in response to bedh8
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 30, 2016 11:49 AM in response to bedh8

    Me too.

  • by FinFin888,

    FinFin888 FinFin888 Sep 30, 2016 1:34 PM in response to Chandy911
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 30, 2016 1:34 PM in response to Chandy911

    Same here.. I have the iphone 7, my car bluetooth keeps kicking the phone out after connected to my phone... I even brought my 2016 x5 to the dealer, they had my car for two days, but they said nothing they can do... Please help me if anyone has the solution, its so not convenient cannot connect your phone to your car...

  • by jgazerro,

    jgazerro jgazerro Sep 30, 2016 1:40 PM in response to MDaytona
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 30, 2016 1:40 PM in response to MDaytona

    I tried enabling Siri, Hey Siri, and Siri Access On Lock Screen. Problems persists.

     

    I pay more for Apple products because I don't want to deal with issues like this. It's time to step it up in Cupertino and get this fixed.

  • by King of Pumkins,

    King of Pumkins King of Pumkins Sep 30, 2016 8:56 PM in response to vansbutsneakers
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 30, 2016 8:56 PM in response to vansbutsneakers

    Thanks for this explanation. Wouldn this mean all autos with 4.0 Bluetooth would be having a problem? I have a case open but just might return the phone for a 6s.

     

    I Had to really push AppleCare to open a case and the tech sug that people on this Forum were making up issues. Disappointing.

  • by murumoto,

    murumoto murumoto Sep 30, 2016 9:04 PM in response to King of Pumkins
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Sep 30, 2016 9:04 PM in response to King of Pumkins

    sorry to hear that. sounds like you got a gatekeeper. I had that first as well, and once he agreed to escalate the case, Apple reps have been great.

     

    the tech I'm working with now has been extremely interested in this issue. Called several times to follow up. Installed logging profile and submitted to engineering for them to diagnose. I've been really impressed by their interest in fixing the issue.

     

    And let's face it, it may be BMW who needs to issue a software update as well (if you look at the history of drive updates, majority of issues have been related to bluetooth connectivity). Nonetheless, Apple is on this.

     

    Continue to make noise. We'll get somewhere eventually.

  • by King of Pumkins,

    King of Pumkins King of Pumkins Oct 1, 2016 4:34 PM in response to murumoto
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 1, 2016 4:34 PM in response to murumoto

    MY issue is with the time. It seems like when I get a case open the person is off work for the next three days. The person that is handling my case is off from Saturday to Wednesday. If I can't get a good answer before my first 10 days I will just return and get a 6s. My 6s had zero Bluetooth issues even on 10.0.02.

     

    TYping in this Forum gives me odd capitals on the second letter of the first paragraph.  

     

    TO be honest with you, I have not had great experiences with AppleCare. The advisor usually says the right things but it feels like he is generally reading from a script. My last experience I was having a hard time getting a response. I got one of those how are we doing surveys so I answered indicating I haven't heard back etc. I guess the manager passed this on and the advisor called to complain to me; letting me know he had been off the last 3 days.

     

    IN fact the last two advisors I have had have had odd work schedules; of course I was not told this but have learned to ask.

     

    Overall I would not pay for AppleCare. But then I only need help when things are fairly technical. One thing I find missing is a true concern that my issue gets fixed.

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