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
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:
iPhones tested:
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.
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:
iPhones tested:
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.
Happy 120 days (4 months) of an open case! My Apple support rep has not responded to me for about a week, so figured I'd get some traction again. I should also note that I finally had the chance to use my Airpods for an extended period of time and have experienced skipping; though it seems to be more of a quick disconnect rather than the speeding up like in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHFDRVA958
About a month ago I launched a Google Survey on Reddit and got quite a few responses. Below are the results which I finally had time to compile:
Percentage of people who report an issue: 71.4%
Workaround results
Here is a screen cap of the survey just in case anyone is wondering what questions I asked.
I am copying my posts and updates from another thread that is about the same problem.
iPhone 7 Bluetooth constantly disconnects and reconnects from my Ford SYNC system.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7670674?start=0&tstart=0
01-05-2017
I have the exact same problem with my iPhone 7 and my 2014 Ford F-150 with SYNC. It worked flawlessly for almost 2 years with an iPhone 5S. As soon as I upgraded to the iPhone7 it started randomly disconnecting and re-connecting the Bluetooth connection during every phone call and sometimes while playing music. I tried deleting and repairing, restarting the phone and using another iPhone7... nothing has fixed the problem. I contacted Apple And theye opened a case, but after troubleshooting they said I need to have the firmware in my vehicle updated. I just looked it up on MyFord site, and I have the latest firmware, there isn't an upgrade.
I think this is an iPhone7 issue as I can use any other version of iPhone (other than 7) and it works perfectly. I am disappointed in Apple's inability to recognize and solve this issue. I have loved every Apple product I have owned, until now...
Any feedback from others who have solved this issue would be greatly appreciated.
01-16-2017
Update to my previous post:
I checked the My Ford site again, and confirmed that the iPhone 7 is not listed on the SYNC compatible device list for SYNC version 3.7. I tech chatted with Ford SYNC tech support to advise them and they told me that there is actually an updated version of SYNC (v 3.8) for my vehicle, and it must be installed by the dealer. The My Ford site says that my vehicle has the most updated version and there isn't a version 3.8 listed, but the Ford SYNC tech support rep was confident that this upgrade will correct the problem. I have a service appointment this week and will update this post after I get the upgrade to let everyone know if it works or not.
01-24-2017
Latest Update: I had my Ford F-150 at the dealer all day today. They installed the latest version of Sync on my system (SYNC v 3.10), and did a hard system reset. Unfortunately, my iPhone 7 still does the same thing: while using the phone or voice texting through the SYNC system, the Bluetooth connection will disconnect and reconnect randomly. Sometimes it will go several minutes without disconnecting and sometimes it will do it every 20 seconds. It never drops the call, it just disconnects and reconnects the Bluetooth connection. This never happened with my last iPhone (5s), it worked flawlessly for almost two years. I am going to update my Apple service request, as it appears the ball is back in Apple's court.
01-24-2017
Second call with Apple support. They had me reset the phone to factory settings and set it up as new. I did, it didn't solve the Bluetooth connectivity problem.
01-25-2017
I had my third call with Apple support, my senior advisor scheduled an appointment for me to bring the phone to the Apple Store for further testing.
There are a whole bunch of topics about this bluetooth issue. Apple seems to be still trying (or not) to fix this problem. I don't know if software (iOS updates) can fix this. In the US there are 2 different types of iPhones and different modems. In The Netherlands we only have the Intel crap (model A1778)...!
Come on Apple!!! Please provide us with some info...!!!
Re: iPhone 7 Bluetooth connectivity with Ford SYNC malfunctions
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I have an iPhone 7, and everything was peachy before iOS 11. Upgraded the other day (current on 11.0.2), and since then I can't use voice commands to dial by name for most of my contacts. Looking at it just now, it looks like most of my contacts are NOT syncing over with the name. It appears only about 30 or so are there. When I initially set it to auto sync, it says my phone may ask for permission, but it never does. The names appear briefly, but the first time I try to dial by name for one of them using voice commands, it gives me an error beep and can't find the contact. I've restarted phone and car, and even forgot the devices on each and repaired. No joy. If anyone has had this problem and got it resolved please let me know how. I'm having a feeling I'm going to be waiting for a fix from Apple, but I might bite the bullet and roll back to iOS 10 before they take that option away. Between this and the battery draining so quickly, I think I'm going to wait for a later version.
send apple feedback here : Product Feedback - Apple
or submit a bug report here http://bugreport.apple.com/
Mine had a bad fit of stuttering yesterday, but I didn't have a way to record it. If it happens this weekend when my wife is in the car I'll have her record it.
I didn't fully describe it in my first post, so for there record, here's how it typically works for me in my 2014 Toyota:
I can sometimes get it back by going into airplane mode and back, and then reconnecting. Sometimes the radio can't find the phone until I restart the phone.
In my wife's 2014 VW it's similar, although I don't recall if it stops displaying track info. And it also does something similar with my UE Boom 2 speaker. It will also make sounds indicating the phone is frequently disconnecting and reconnecting.
My previous two iPhones (6+ and 6s+) worked perfectly in these same vehicles, and my wife's 6+ works perfectly in both of them now (and with the speaker). Compared to the 6+ and 6s+, this phone had three notable problems when I got it -- bluetooth connectivity, GPS, and running hot (and dimming the screen). Updates seem to have fixed the GPS problems at least.
My replacement phone arrives tomorrow . . . it probably won't fix the problem, but hopefully Apple will use that as a data point and figure out a real solution, whether it's firmware or hardware.
Unfortunately not. I'm not expecting the LTE band to be the culprit, but I guess that's not out of the question. Just for reference, here's that list again:
iPhones tested:
I think you mean the non-CDMA phones as opposed to GSM phones? All current models of the iPhone 7 and 7 plus are GSM phones. From the Apple spec pages:
Updating my own issue, it turns out they didn't really unlock the locked phone they sent me to replace the unlocked one. (Which so far does't appear to have fixed the stuttering issue anyway.) It takes about 6-8 hours for me to back it up, restore it to factory settings, then restore it from backup, just to check. Plus a few more hours to download data that does't get saved, set up passwords and permissions again, etc. I've done all that at least three times in about the last week now with all the troubleshooting, it's getting old. I wish Apple would come up with a real solution instead of making us pointlessly jump through hoops.
I purchased the A1784 model through AT&T Next at the end of Nov 2016. I only decided to contact Apple to solve this last month, so I way passed the 14-days AT&T Next return date or 30-day (?) Apple return date.
Long story short, some facts below:
Then I sold the 1784 on Ebay and got the new A1661 today. I did some math to see, from financial perspective, how much I've lost/gained from this.
A1784
A1661
So I didn’t lose money, but given all the hassles and time spent on this, it’s NOT worth it at all. However, in case any AT&T Next users feel stuck with this issue, you do have such an option to get out of this.
I have read some tips and this one might help you out.
Step 3 Reset iPhone network settings
If you are still not successful enough to get it running then you should reset your iPhone’s network settings. But this should be your last option. Resetting the network settings will erase all the saved settings and password of your network. you better keep the password handy.
To do so, please follow 4 simple steps.
My AT&T iPhone 7+ has had intermittent stuttering problems since it was new. It happens in every car I've tried (Toyota, VW, Ford) and with Bluetooth speakers, so it's absurd that Apple tries to blame it on the car. (If your product is incompatible with every major car manufacturer, you're doing it wrong.) I kept hoping a software update would fix it, but finally gave up and contacted Apple this week. They are sending me a replacement but after reading this thread I'm not very hopeful it will solve the problem.
What's amazing in talking to them -- the two times I've contacted them, mentioning a Bluetooth problem got me bumped to a "Senior Advisor" but that personality n really had no more idea what the problem was. At the Apple Support call center level they don't really seem aware of the problem, or what to do other than send out replacement phones.
Uploaded a video of how bad this skipping really is: https://youtu.be/kGHFDRVA958
Hopefully this can show everyone why I'm so disgruntled over the audio skipping. 104 day update: no progress from Apple regarding the issue.
same here... 2013 tacoma and an iphone 7s
I've tried clearing out all BT profiles on both devices, reset network settings on phone, shutting off, etc.. Havent done a clean wipe of phone yet, but as it works with other bluetooth headsets this does feel like a backwards compatibility issue.
Would love to see a fix for this Apple.
#BTGate
Interesting . . . in my case when it starts skipping like that, it also speeds up the audio. It's like it's trying to catch up with what it should have played during the pauses. I'll have to make a recording.
iPhone7 Bluetooth issue in the car
