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Level 1

17 points

Problem with iphone/Honda Handsfreelink

I have had an iPhone for years, and driven Hondas--for years. Until a few months ago, I used both my iPhone and my newer model Honda's Bluetooth system (Handsfreelink) just fine, we we're in a lovely "relationship", communicating wonderfully on a daily basis... And then all heck broke loose!

First, FYI: I dial calls via Siri (pushing the home button on my phone) and talking through the car's system to place outgoing calls. Much easier to place calls this way vs using Honda's myriad of button and/or voice command screens to get an outgoing call placed.

So, a few months ago, the first problem that starting occurring on a regular basis was the calls would switch to "private mode" and I would then have to hit "transfer" to get the calls to go back to the audio system in the vehicle. A pain but I had gotten used to that. Now, the same problem occurs but the calls either: A) won't "transfer" until after the other party answers (which I can't hear because the call has automatically gone to "private mode") or B) they won't "transfer" at all or. In addition, I'm also getting echo feedback now in the last couple of days.

The initial problems that started a few months ago, occurred right after an Apple update; the latest set of additional problems also seems to be in conjunction with another recent Apple update. I have done basic Google research on this issue, and paired/repaired my phone with the car, etc, etc. All to no avail... I suppose Honda is going to blame Apple and Apple is going to blame Honda which does me no good whatsoever...

All I know is this: A) I believe I drive the most popular car (Honda Accord) and use the most popular phone (iPhone 7) in America and someone, somehow should be able to figure out how to get these two things to work together again! B) Currently, it would be safer to duct tape my iPhone to my forehead, over my eyes and dial out with my nose than to use my Apple iphone and Honda's handsfreelink system.

If you're still with me: A) Thanks for reading/listening, B) Please provide any help/suggestions you may have.

iPhone 7, iOS 10.3.1

Posted on Apr 12, 2017 5:53 PM

Best reply

Hana Road Author

Level 1

17 points

Posted on Apr 13, 2017 6:38 AM

Update: I called Honda Handsfreelink support this morning and they advise: "The whole 'private mode' issue is due to an Apple IOS issue. It's a feature they have put in their latest IOS systems. There's nothing we can do about it."

So there you go, Honda says, definitely, it's an Apple issue. And for the record, I find that entirely believable as the issues I have been having, started to occur after Apple updates.

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23 replies

SMS45

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2017 4:36 AM in response to Hana Road

It is an ios 11/handsfreelink problem that affects hundreds of thousands of vehicles. My dealer's service manager finally admitted that they are getting 10-20 calls a day about the problem. According to him, Apple will have a fix in a month. If not, there is a Galaxy Note 8 in my future.

sww963

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2017 5:30 AM in response to SMS45

I'm due for a new phone myself and considering something other then Apple but my fear is that other companies will follow in Apple's footsteps. As for it being ios11 issue...I tried my husbands iPhone 6 running 10.3 and my mothers 4s which is still on iOS 8 or 9 and it does the exact same thing. We have a 2016 Camry and a 2007 Honda Ridgeline and all of our phones work just fine (no private mode) in either of these cars. Which is why I think the Honda rep was correct. It's been there of awhile and we're only starting to see this now on certain new models running a particular version of Bluetooth. I did get the bluetooth version running in my Pilot (Honda tech gave it to me when he checked for software updates) and Apple asked me to send it to them.

SMS45

Level 1

4 points

Jan 3, 2018 5:25 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

It is Apple. I had my iphone 6 Plus paired to my 2017 MDX Advanced and it worked perfectly until I upgraded to ios 11. Before that, the phone worked perfectly on my 2014 MDX Advanced. The point is, that the car was out before ios 11. Apple should have made sure it was compatible with the equipment in the vehicles. This affects over 1 million Honda drivers.

Jan 19, 2018 7:21 PM in response to Hana Road

I just upgraded my iPhone 6 iOS last weekend and I suddenly have this exact problem. Phone worked perfectly ever since I bought my 2016 Honda Pilot, but hasn't worked correctly since I upgraded to iOS 11.2.2. This is an Apple problem.