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iPhone 7 Bluetooth connectivity with Ford SYNC malfunctions

I'm using my iPhone 7 with my 2016 Ford Fusion with SYNC. The Bluetooth connection worked flawlessly with my iPhone 6S. Today, the iPhone 7 experienced significant connectivity issues, including regular dropouts, dropping the connection entirely, and music just stopping playing. Not a cellular data issue as the songs were on the iPhone. Resetting network settings, turning bluetooth on/off, and dropping/re-connecting to the car did not fix the issue. No equipment or other things have changed except the switch to the new iPhone.


I fully don't expect there to be a "solution" other than a software update or returning this phone, but has it happened to anyone else?

Posted on Sep 17, 2016 1:19 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 25, 2017 10:52 PM

I ended up returning my iPhone 7 Plus (model A1784) and repurchased an iPhone 7 Plus (model A1661). So far the music skipping and random disconnects while on calls is gone. I did a lot more research on these Apple forums before going into the Apple Store and ultimately deciding to return and repurchase. There is another forum that has 43 pages of responses about the same issue. I posted a very long response there and am including a link if you'd like to go there and get more information. It's worth a read as it may help and will explain my logic for doing the return and change in models.


Re: iPhone7 Bluetooth issue in the car

253 replies

Jun 9, 2017 2:34 PM in response to JLB3

I have same issue. Took car to ford and they wiped all software and reinstalled in my edge titanium. Still did not work.

Genius Bar at apple wiped entire phone and installed software all over again then of course I had to reinstall all my stuff.

Guess what it worked for 4 days and then once again quit

Genius Bar said may be some phones out there with bad Bluetooth antennas

Jun 9, 2017 3:35 PM in response to JLB3

2016 Explorer Sport with My Ford Touch Sync2 version 3.7 and iPhone 7 at iOS 10.3.2 and I have this problem. Sync reports the it has lost bluetooth connection during a call.


To test I called a number that plays BBC radio over the line so I could have a continuous call going 712.432.5535. The first drop occurred around the 2:50 mark. I hung up and redialed and it dropped again around the 5:00 minute mark of the call. Both times it reconnects and sync starts the call timer over like it's a new call.


Quite annoying.

Jun 12, 2017 5:32 AM in response to BrianMcD3

I am having the same issue since I upgraded to the IPhone7. I have a 2011 MKX and the phone looses connection consistently. It's so frustrating. Mine also won't sync my Fitbit One tracker without turning Bluetooth Off and On. Wish I would have kept my 6. I also think the phone is slower and battery runs down faster.

Jun 21, 2017 7:44 PM in response to JLB3

I may have discovered a (duct tape) fix! If you have bluetooth headphones connected to your phone, while still utilizing Sync for the call it doesn't disconnect!


I was having this same problem with a 2017 Ford Fusion and a brand new iPhone 7. My music/audio connection was fine, but phone calls would drop and reconnect ever 1-5 minutes.


I was traveling in my car talking on the phone for over 15 minutes yesterday and had my bluetooth headphones (Beats) connected to my phone, as well as Sync. I was utilizing Sync to talk on the phone and it DIDN'T DISCONNECT ONCE! The following day, I started a phone call via Sync, without my bluetooth headphones on, and it disconnected within the first 2 minutes of the call. I then turned on and connected my bluetooth headphones to my iPhone, but continued to utilize Sync, and it didn't disconnect at all for the remainder of the 10 minute call. Again, EVERY OTHER TIME I've done would've disconnected multiple times during a 10 minute phone conversation.


While some might say if you have to have your bluetooth headphones connected, why not just use those? Personally, it's much less comfortable to have the headphones in when you're driving. Also, I am much more satisfied with the mere burden of turning on the headphones, then having to deal with the stupid disconnect every 2 minutes! And for those that have this issue, you know that when it disconnects and you then select "Speaker" or "iPhone" from the bottom menu, shortly thereafter it will automatically connect back to Sync! So you have to then turn your bluetooth radio button off.


I will continue to test this out and update if it doesn't hold true.

Jun 22, 2017 7:52 AM in response to JLB3

I have a 2015 Ford Explore Sport and have been having the same issue since Dec 2016 when I upgraded my iPhone 5 to the iPhone 7. Ford and Apple blame each other and offer no resolution. I upgraded my iPhone to iOS 10.3.2 and it still disconnects Bluetooth. This is a safety hazard and extremely annoying. I am looking at getting an android a different car all because of the ongoing Bluetooth issues...it's been 7 months! That is way too long.

Jul 12, 2017 7:24 AM in response to Bambamsdeli

I have had many problems with the Sync 3 system on my 2016 Ford Expedition. They stemmed from an eventual failure of the APIM computer module for the sync system. Leading up to the total failure of the computer was poor BT connection problems, dropped connections, and eventually even wired connections were not working. Then the system would lockup and reboot. After the APIM replacement, all of these problems went away. When I first bought my Expy, I was using the system with an iPhone 6S+, but soon after I upgraded to an iPhone 7+. The system is also now running version 2.2 of Sync and my connectivity issues are a thing of the past. I have CarPlay too. But I don't use it since it is a disappointment, and so is Ford's integration of CarPlay.


Bottom line, now my iPhone 7+ now works fine with Ford Sync 3, specifically with BT connection, however there is an annoying problem when you disable CarPlay and use your phone via a wired connection. As long as you plug your phone in after the system has booted it seems to work, but if you plug it in before, then it may not see your phone. That's a Ford issue.

Jul 23, 2017 5:18 AM in response to JLB3

I have an iPhone 7 Plus A1784 running ios10.3.3 and the problem persists. Phone cuts off from Bluetooth while on a call and then reconnects. This happens several times during a call. I have tried everything. The car is a Ford Focus 2015. My sister bought an iPhone 7 Plus and I tried a few calls with it in the car without any disconnect. That would suggest it’s not a software issue. Can anyone confirm this and advise if Apple are replacing phones with this issue. I bought the phone late last year in the apple store Belfast. Has anyone tried the beta of iOS 11 to see if the problem still exists with it?

Jul 23, 2017 8:57 AM in response to Bambamsdeli

My iphone 7 Plus has never worked without disconnecting during calls In the car. Otherwise Bluetooth works without issues. I tried connecting to a 2nd Bluetooth device in the car and it’s early days but for some strange reason it appears to work. The Bluetooth connection to the car maintained during calls. Did you try approaching Apple for replacement phones?

iPhone 7 Bluetooth connectivity with Ford SYNC malfunctions

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