Newsroom Update

Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Abailey152 Author

Level 1

14 points

iOS 12 Bluetooth problems

I've just installed iOS 12 on my iPhone 7, and since I cannot get my car handsfree (a Citroen C3 - 2012) to work properly with the phone.

I can pair okay, and all seems correct but less than a minute later, the car loses communication with the phone. That is, it can see the phone as a bluetooth device but does not recognise the phone capabilities. No calls can be made, the battery level cannot be viewed and no media can be accessed. On the iPhone, the car is shown as BT RADIO, and is shown as "Connected".

If I tell the car to connect Telephone or Telephone + Media, it will connect again, but a few seconds later the same occurs.

I have tried the following,

1. Turn Bluetooth on and off on the phone.

2. Forget the connections on the car and the phone, and re-pair.

3. Reboot phone.

4. Hard reboot of phone.

5. Forget the connection on the phone and car, rename the phone and pair again.

6. Reset Network Settings.

Nothing has worked.

This all worked fine and various versions of iOS 11, so my only conclusion is that something has changed in the Bluetooth system in iOS 12.

I don't want to try to wipe my iPhone and downgrade, so I am hoping all the complaints will prompt Apple into looking at what has gone wrong and release a fix

Just as a follow-up, I also have my iPhone connected to my home DECT phones using bluetooth and this seems okay. Perhaps it is a standards issue affecting older Bluetooth systems?

If anyone has had this issue and has managed to find a work-around or fix, please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

iPhone 7, iOS 12

Posted on Oct 2, 2018 8:37 AM

33 replies

Mar 11, 2019 1:54 PM in response to jen_ki_ya

Hi!

Finally I found you people with the same iOS 12 Bluetooth problems! I have iPhone 7 with 12.1.4 and my car is Peugeot 508 2011. Worked ok before upgrade but now the handsfree function is useless. Stays connected fine for half a minute, then the phone disconnects while the media player is still connected.

I have tried everything! Thinking of buying a separate handsfree speaker for the phone part. But ok, first I may try the suggested voice assistance trick even though I don't use Google maps app, use Apples Maps.

So see you later...

Mar 22, 2019 5:59 AM in response to DaveNo23

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.

DaveNo23

Level 1

4 points

Apr 2, 2019 8:54 PM in response to Abailey152

After the Bluetooth connection working for years, my Peugeot 508GT year 2011 then had the same problem to my iphone 6 on the previous Apple s/w version.

Version 12.0 arrived and filled with hope I download it - but same problem - Apple STILl have not fixed it.

DaveNo23

Level 1

4 points

Apr 2, 2019 9:24 PM in response to DaveNo23

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

May 17, 2019 10:10 AM in response to bart25

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.

May 28, 2019 6:37 AM in response to Abailey152

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.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,239 points

May 28, 2019 5:10 PM in response to Frank_1973

It doesn't explain why Bluetooth works perfectly with most devices on the market.

There has to be something unique going on with the devices that experience a disconnect, but I can't imagine what it would be.

Oct 16, 2018 7:09 AM in response to Abailey152

I also have the same problem on iPhone 8 with a Citroen C4. thank you for correcting

Nov 4, 2018 1:04 AM in response to Abailey152

Hi Abailey152,

do you have new results. I have the same problems with an C4. Even with iOS12.1. I hope you have good news.

Thank you.

Dec 4, 2018 11:10 PM in response to thehoge

Thanks!

So i'll consider changing to Android if Apple doesnt soon enough - solve the problem.

As one driving 100-200 km / average day, handsfree is pretty important.

Dec 29, 2018 9:44 AM in response to jen_ki_ya

I have exact same problem with my citroen c4 2012 and my iPhone xs max. Had the same problem with my iPhone 7 after updating to ios 12. Hope for a fix...

Jwc133

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2019 2:23 PM in response to Abailey152

I know this is an old thread, did anyone know if there is a fix for this? As I have a DS4 and Bluetooth disconnects after about 10 Seconds media plays fine.