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iPhone7 Bluetooth issue in the car

My brand new Iphone7 seems to have bluetooth problems in my car. Everything works but the sound drops sometimes (often) when I listen to music. I didnt have this issue wiyh my 6s and IOS10. I tried to reset everything but the problem persists. The iPhone is recognized by the radio inmy Toyota, but the sound drops just as it was a radio in a tunnel.

iPhone 7, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 4:03 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2017 9:18 AM

I provided this to the techs weeks ago, but it seems like there was no headway. So here are the results of my trials for everyone to read:


I work in an environment where I have access to soundproof rooms. The walls are steel with padding and are about 6" thick (solid). These are "dead spots" for wireless in my building, which I surveyed and had to plan around because of the walls. I also work with deploying a lot of iOS devices, so most of my colleagues have an iPhone.


Testing environment:

I tested the area with an OptiView XG using AirMagnet Spectrum XT software. This device and software is used to measure the amount of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation in a given area to troubleshoot issues with wireless, and to help design wireless networks for large corporations. This helped me to ensure that there were no stray 2.4GHz interferers while testing, meaning that the only devices emitting 2.4GHz band RF were the "Devices" listed below (Beats Pill, Plantronics Backbeats, Braven BRV-1) and the phones.


Additionally, I tested the cars listed below in several environments with and without interferers nearby. These were less controlled, however mirrored the exact same results.


Stuttering/Skipping:

To show an example of the skipping sound that I am referring to, please take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHFDRVA958


Bluetooth devices tested:

  • Cars: 2013 Ford Focus, 2011 Toyota Venza, 2007 BMW 335i, 2006 VW Jetta
  • Devices: Beats Pill, Plantronics Backbeats, Braven BRV-1


iPhones tested:

  • iPhone 6s - No problems
  • iPhone 6s Plus - No problems
  • iPhone 7 Plus (AT&T, A1784) - Stuttering
  • iPhone 7 Plus (AT&T, A1784) - Stuttering
  • iPhone 7 Plus (AT&T, A1784) - Stuttering
  • iPhone 7 Plus (T-Mobile, A1784) - Stuttering
  • iPhone 7 Plus (Sprint, A1661) - No problems
  • iPhone 7 (Verizon, A1660) - No problems
  • iPhone 7 Plus (Verizon, A1661) - No problems
  • iPhone 7 Plus (Verizon, A1661) - No problems
  • There were two other GSM iPhone 7 Pluses that I trialed, but I don't have the model numbers in front of me to list to provide exact details. Both had issues.


As you can see, the issues are localized to the GSM models using the new Intel modems. This further solidifies the belief that there is an existing hardware issue and not a problem with software, interference, or other manufacturer's devices. I'm not sure what else I can do to troubleshoot with the Apple reps, but after spending upwards of $5000 with Apple in 2016, I can't help but to feel neglected.

707 replies

Dec 29, 2016 2:50 PM in response to agent_zero1

Switching to Verizon solved my problem. Of course as I noted in my post that I didn't expect this would be resolved for everyone. Also I think that one person's version of stuttering is different than another's. A video posted to this thread showed it just cut out, mine on the other hand sound garbled as apposed to a cut out.


In the end I think there are two different issues with Bluetooth in this thread. It leads me to think this is why Apple is saying its the car. I am wondering if anyone on Verizon has turned off LTE and had the issue resolve itself. I don't think that is the case.


I am also drawing the conclusion that 10.2 stated it fixed Bluetooth issues as the AirPods were released right after 10.2 was made available. Again I am only speculating as to the issues at hand, but can say with 100% certainty switching to Verizon has solved my issue in my 2012 Ford Fusion with Basic Sync.


Thus you conclusion that this is 100% is false is misleading. I would almost say that if you have a Verizon phone that is stuttering Bluetooth to have it replaced as I think that could also be the hardware.

Dec 31, 2016 9:04 AM in response to brunowajskop

Happy New Year everyone. I have been involved in this thread since near it's beginning. Gone thru 2 major OS 10 updates. Nothing. Car mfg (Ford Fusion Energi) won't update the car… they've moved on (it's. Not that anyway). I've resorted to being without LTE for the last 3 months. it's been my only solution. Post after post of everyone trying their best to collaborate, share and offer up voodoo dance moves to "resolve" the issue. When in fact it's just a hardware issue.


My prediction is this: it's actually something that can't be fixed thru software. I lay the blame on The Intel chipset. And unless Apple changed that, I think we're stuck.


(Of course I am referring to the subset of problems involving the AT&T models)


It's sad I can't use LTE now. I'm paying for it. I have a crippled media device and work arounds galore!


Oh and I can't use my cars USB. Because it puts out less than 500ma and my phone drains.


I won't even begin to tell you how aweful Bluetooth headset profile conversations are. Have had to not use Bluetooth for calls because inevitably it turns into an argument with the caller snout how I can't understand their newly robotic persona.


Hang in there everyone. May the New Year be better and bring us resolution. A resolution that will stick!

Dec 31, 2016 11:23 AM in response to ColonelPanik

As have I!


Today marks the 101st day that my case has been open. An apple rep finally returned contact with me yesterday just to tell me that Apple is aware of a widespread issue and currently has no culprit or timeline for a fix.


They offered me free stuff (they called it a "good faith gesture") for my phone, but I declined stating that I only wanted the issue to be resolved - nothing more, nothing less. I did ask for one of my three phones which have the issue (in five different vehicles, "Beats" branded products, headsets, etc...) to be swapped for a simless or CDMA model, but that seems to be unavailable at the support or customer relations level, as each rep stated that they would need to escalate the request.


I agree that the issue lies with the Intel modem. I've worked with ten other people at my workplace, four of which have an A1661 (CDMA). All of the individuals using an A1778 (GSM 7) or A1784 (GSM 7 Plus) have the same issue that I do.


Again, toggling LTE is what remedies the situation for me (usually). I think a lot of the CDMA users who are complaining about the issue aren't having the same issue that the GSM users are. It seems that they are mistaking connectivity issues for the skipping issues, which is the real issue here.


I'm afraid that we will not have a resolution prior to my upgrade being available, which concerns me about buying another potentially defective phone in 2017. I have already decided to not buy the AirPods because of the potential for them not to work properly, which I wanted since the day that they were announced. Once users who have no bluetooth experience start using AirPods and have the skipping issue, there will be more complaints. Here's a recent thread on Reddit about just that.

Dec 31, 2016 1:41 PM in response to RobbStumpf

While I know the majority of the stuttering issues posted here have been from ATT users, my Verizon phone also had the same stuttering issue. It was horrible - no one could understand me or me them because the conversation keeps going in & out. Our voices all sounded garbled!


But yes, I also had the Bluetooth connection issue in that it would display names no matter how many "fixes" Apple told me to try.


They finally to me to return it for repair or replacement, which I did. I returned it and paid the $35 re-stocking fee. That annoyed me but I figured it was better than being stuck with a phone that didn't work like it was supposed to.


I went back to my 6s plus which doesn't display names on my car's Bluetooth either, but at least there's no stuttering!

Dec 31, 2016 1:48 PM in response to charlottefromorange

You're describing two different Bluetooth profiles; HFP and A2DP. The former is used for calls and the latter is used for audio streaming. The difference is the duplex of audio - HFP can transmit and receive whereas A2DP can only send. This is why Siri usage is identified as a phone call instead of streaming audio, a different profile must be used.


I think although your issue is similar, it is not the same as the GSM users.

iPhone7 Bluetooth issue in the car

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