iOS 12 Bluetooth problems

Ah............I tried the trick mentioned by jen_ki_ya of getting the phone connected properly to the car ( phone, not just media) then immediately calling any number - even one I know is now disconnected. THAT WORKED ! - the phone stayed in Bluetooth contact with the car. I tried both with, and without, Siri turned on, still OK.

So sure, it is a little tedious, but at least a definite work-around - anyway useful for long car trips

I've previously posted on here... and my issue hasn't been resolved but I do have a workaround if anyone is interested. It's similar to methods others have posted.

Sequence of activities:

1. Place a call on my phone (e.g. to an information number) prior to it connnecting to the bluetooth system
2. Hit the ignition button. The call transfers to the bluetooth car's bluetooth system
3. End the call and it stays connected for both phonecall and media.

I generally leave the call going for about 20-30 seconds, and it keeps connected while the ignition is on. As soon as I restart the car it is disconnected, but at least I have an interim solution until I install and improved head unit.

FWIW I had an issue the other day where Spotify wouldn't play through the system. My phone, and the bluetooth system were telling me it was playing but nothing was coming through the speakers.

Hey! I just discovered a bug which is a feature I guess.

When I turn on the C4, I'm then activating the google maps app *with voice assistance*. Then I place a call and turn the voice assistance of the map off. The call remains connected for the whole ride!! I've already tried that twice, and both time it worked.

Let me know if this worked for you as well?

Good luck

As yen-ki-ya proposed I can stay connected if I place a call directly when my iPhone and car radio connects! I don't have to turn off any voice assistance, just place the call before I loose my phone connection (after 30 sec). The media player connects fine all the time. And I can cancel the call right away, don't have to wait for the signals to go through, the phone stays connected until I leave the car. Next time, same story...so it´s not a permanent solution of course. Still a problem, so I mostly use a handsfree speaker.

I have found a solution that works perfectly. When getting in the car and turning the ignition on. Wait until you see both media and phone connected (denoted by the display of number 2 next to the Bluetooth icon). When this happens activate Siri and say hello (you have to say something and have it respond) once Siri has responded press the power button on the phone to lock the screen or close Siri.

Done me you will have full phone and media until the next time you start your engine.

i do this every time I get into the car without thinking now.

Another workaround is to have a bluetooth headset turned on in the car.

A theory that @Apple should test, it seems like there is an "IsAlive" message send from iphone every now and then, but it is only send from the media connection, not from the phone connection, hence it disconnects after some time.

that would also explain why it works if other headsets are sending the message.

I had a simular problem a few years ago with my car and bluetooth.

My solution at the time with that phone/ios/car combination was to turn off Siri.

Never had a problem after that.

I have and Citroën C4 2012 e-hdiafter ios 11.x and now ios 12 i had the same problem. Worked Well with ios 10

so I do hope that @apple will have a serious look at the bluetooth mode, so we can enjoy handfree speaking again.

My media player connect fine, the Phone connects When i reconnect to the car. Then it disconnect from the telehone, but not the media connection.

hope anyone who has a solution post it here 😉😎

Just commenting on here to let Apple know this is definitely a problem on their side of the fence. Exactly the same issue with my iPhone 6S recently upgraded to iOS 12.1 and a 2011 Peugeot 508. I believe that Citroen and Peugeot use the same Bluetooth system. Bluetooth music works perfectly, but the phone initially connects then drops the connection approx 30secs later.

Edit: also FWIW, my households Android devices work perfectly with the system.

i will go back to ios 11 in the mean time i guess or move to android

You cannot go back to a previous version of iOS unless you purchase a device running that version of iOS and never upgrade it.

You can move to Android if you want, but Android follows the same Bluetooth specification Apple does, and odds are if the Citroen head end is at fault you will experience the exact same issue regardless of whether the phone is Apple or Android.

iPhone 6s on ios 12.1.3 works fine on 2013 DS3 but on C4 2011 initially connects both telephone and media but drops telephone connection after about 2 min and won’t stay connected.

So, same problem as everyone and useless hands free in the C4.

This issue has come and gone with different iOS versions but since iOS 12 this has been broken.

Same problem here with iPhone SE, recently upgraded to iOS 12 and Citroen C4 (2013). The bluetooth connection to the previous iOS versions was also so-so, but usually was working. This time, exactly like the topic owner - have I tried all of the above without success. The problem is definitely with iOS.

Which iPhone do you guys have?

Same problem for me on iPhone se, latest version of ios in c4 2012. Like others I drive a lot and it's a pain in the proverbial. I asked if there was a firmware update at the dealership today and was met with blank looks.

There are no issues with the vast majority of Bluetooth devices on the market, which seems to point more towards the device you are connecting to than your iPhone.

Note also there are two distinct Bluetooth devices that need to pair with the headend, one for audio and one for phone calls. For example, most auto head ends offer the ability to pair only with the phone, allowing you to use Bluetooth for phone calls but USB for (higher quality) audio.