Bose Bluetooth Speakers Don't Connect Automatically Outgoing Phone Call

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Level 1

21 points

Bose Bluetooth Speakers Don't Connect Automatically Outgoing Phone Call

I own many bose devices such as a QC-35, soundlink, etc. When I connect them with Bluetooth and start a phone call on my iPhone 7+ w 11.4, the audio switches automatically to the Bose device. When I make a phone call with the Revolve (w. up to date firmware and I have factory initialized it a few times during troubleshooting and it is only connected/defined with my iphone), the output audio switches automatically back to the internal iphone speaker. I have to manually click the third option to send the output back to the revolve and it will switch back to the internal speaker a second time and I have to once again manually select the revolve. Once I hear the output on the revolve, it works as expected and does not switch again. BTW - interestingly, when it switches back to the internal iPhone speaker, if I let it ring and then connect, I will hear the connection 'beep' on the revolve, but the audio continues on the iphone unless I manually switch it. Also incoming calls work fine - I hit a button on the Bose and it connects and works as the headphones.

I also own a Bose Soundlink Mini bluetooth speaker which exhibits the same behavior.

I have already brought this up on the Bose support site and they were unable to recreate the problem. They said their iPhone 7 with a Bose Revolve works fine. I called Apple and he said the changes to 11.4 actually cause this behavior and it is 'expected behavior'. This of course conflicts with the BOSE support people who said it works fine.

So what is the scoop? Is this expected behavior? Are other people here experiencing the issue?

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 7, 128 GB

Posted on Jun 22, 2018 10:54 AM

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Answer 1

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,220 points

Jun 22, 2018 2:27 PM in response to joelirwin

What do you have call routing set to? Settings>general>accesibility>call audio routing

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Answer 2

Jun 22, 2018 2:37 PM in response to joelirwin

Go to Settings/Bluetooth. How many devices do you have that show "connected"? There is a standard's defined limit of 7; if you have 5 or more you may be exceeding that limit with the last connections. This is a very common problem if you have the Tile app, but any app or device that brings you close to 7 can be responsible.

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Answer 3

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,220 points

Jun 22, 2018 5:20 PM in response to joelirwin

Sometimes when I have issues it is because the bose connect app is not up to date. I use the QC 35s and they are fantastic. At work we use the soundtouch 10's and a 20 and if there is an issue I update the app or the apps says it needs updating.

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Answer 4

joelirwin Author

Level 1

21 points

Jun 22, 2018 3:51 PM in response to askbarnabas

>What do you have call routing set to? Settings>general>accesibility>call audio routingu

It was set to "automatic". I tried "headset" which produced the same result. "Speaker" actually did exactly that an always switched to the iphones speaker.

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Answer 5

Jun 22, 2018 5:18 PM in response to joelirwin

joelirwin wrote:

I still wonder whether it is expected behavior for ios 11.4

I don't know why it should be expected. It may be a problem introduced in 11.4, but I haven't seen any other reports. As I don't have any Bose Bluetooth devices I can't test it myself.

Have you tried settings/general/reset - reset network settings? This will remove your Wi-Fi passwords, but won't have any other deleterious effects.

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Answer 6

joelirwin Author

Level 1

21 points

Jun 23, 2018 4:18 PM in response to askbarnabas

My QC35s work fine as do my soundsports - but both a considered 'headphones" and not speakers as my Revolve and Soundlink Mini are. I think Apple may have done something in 11.4 that impacted the way bluetooth speakers connect on outgoing calls

And yes - I keep up to date with everything - ios, bose connect, microcode in all the bose devices, etc.

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Answer 7

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,220 points

Jun 25, 2018 1:51 PM in response to joelirwin

If your wife's phone had the same result then it is possible that you need to go to the bose troubleshooting website. If it was only one device I would say its the phone.

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Answer 8

joelirwin Author

Level 1

21 points

Jun 22, 2018 3:55 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I thought of that since there were 7 connections (2 bose headsets, 2 bose speakers, 2 cars, and one square reader). I followed the Apple tech support guy of doing a reset of everything. Then I manually deleted all 7 bluetooth devices and added back just the Bose Revolve. No difference - same behavior.

Then I borrowed my wife's Iphone 6 which had the same IOS. Her phone had just her car. I added the Revolve (making 2 devices). Same behavior.

I still wonder whether it is expected behavior for ios 11.4

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Answer 9

Jun 22, 2018 5:16 PM in response to askbarnabas

welafever wrote:

It would be rude for me to continue to provide answers when Lawrence is helping too.

No, not really. Two heads are better than one. It's pretty common for 2 or more responders to work difficult issues. If you have any ideas, please don't let it stop you from responding in this or any other thread.

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Answer 10

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,220 points

Jun 24, 2018 7:47 PM in response to joelirwin

I can not remember where I was going with that at least we are getting somewhere. I will have to read this thread again to try and remember why I asked that. It had something to do with something I read maybe.

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