Our readers have been suffering with in-car Bluetooth connectivity issues with iPhone updates to from iOS 8 to 8.2. iOS 8.2 seems to have fixed some Bluetooth issues with Siri and in-car infotainment systems. However, it appears to have created even more complex issues, especially with music streaming and USB music playing.
The reasons for Bluetooth connection problems seem to be related to either the car’s software needing to be updated, clearing settings and multiple Bluetooth profiles. The latest round of Bluetooth problems appear to occur with streamed music skipping when there are multiple Bluetooth devices and profiles that the iPhone connects to.
Here are some of the new Bluetooth issues reported with iOS 8.2 and in-car infotainment systems:
- In both iOS 8.1.2 and 8.2, the iPhone’s Bluetooth drops connection with the car periodically, then immediately reconnects again, resulting in several seconds of audio silence on both ends of the call.
- There are more dropped incoming calls with iOS 8.2.
- Problems with audio buffering in Pandora, iTunes Radio and Rhapsody. It suddenly stops working.
- After upgrading to iOS 8.2, the in-car connections and the two connections on a Pebble watch caused audio skipping like a CD skips.
- Problems with hands-free and Mazda 6.
- iPhone with iOS 8.2 will pair with built-in Bluetooth. It says it is connected, will make phone calls etc, but there is no audio.
- When making or receiving a phone call the call audio won’t come through the car speakers.
- In a 2013 Prius C, Bluetooth worked great until iPhone 6 Plus was updated to 8.2. It still works with calling, but no longer works for playing music and podcasts.
- 2008 Lexus won’t pair even though it says paired and connected to my IPhone 6 Plus.
- When the phone is connected via Bluetooth to a Honda Pilot the sound cuts out randomly but consistently (every 10 – 30 seconds).
- After 8.2 upgrade, the Bluetooth connection in an Acura RDX 2013 switched back and forth between playing audio through the car speakers and the iPhone. The same thing happened with a brand new iPhone 6 with iOS 8.2.
- iPhone 5 with iOS 6 worked terrific in a 2013 Toyota 4Runner. After the owner purchased a new iPhone 6 with IOS 8.2, the Bluetooth works fine for music but absolutely will not pair with the phone.
- A Mazda 6 hands-free kit no longer rings on an incoming calls and the calling tone can not be heard.
- 2015 Acura TLX (AWD Tech) will not send predefined text messages and navigate/scroll through text messages.
- Bluetooth connection problems with 2013 Honda Pilot EX. There were no problems with iPhone 5 (pre IOS 8) and was absolutely perfect for 2+ years, prior to the iPhone 6 and 8.2.
- Low audio coming from speakers.
- USB connection no longer works on Mercedes-Benz.
- Bluetooth connection problems with Ford SYNC, GM, Toyota and Audi.
- Ford SYNC USB play lists won’t play and other problems playing music through the USB port.
- OS 8.2 tries to pair with 2011 Audi A4 and the iPhone is not found.
- “We immediately noticed that IOS 8.2 ADDED A NEW BLUETOOTH PROBLEM to the mix! With iOS 8.1.3, we could stream audio (I.e. Pandora) at higher quality perfectly. Right after the iOS 8.2 update, everyone suddenly noticed that the audio from Pandora or other streaming music app would briefly pause or skipped and stuttered every few seconds.”
Some New Fixes:
Reset the Bluetooth settings in the car through the infotainment system. If that doesn’t work, access the setup Bluetooth paring procedure from the steering wheel controls, and follow the prompts to remove the current phone and re-pair the iPhone.
For inability to pair Bluetooth, power the iPhone off and on then it may work fine until the next day when the problem repeats itself.
Readers have reported that disconnecting the battery to reset the car’s infotainment system has helped clear settings out to restart again.
For low volume audio coming through the car speakers, try increasing the audio volume on the iPhone.
The problem with audio/music skipping seems to associated with multiple Bluetooth connections for various devices. A temporary “fix” for multiple Bluetooth connections and skipping is if you leave the iPhone on the Bluetooth Settings screen, there won’t be any skipping – but the catch is, you have to leave it on this screen in order for the audio to not cut in and out.
For BMW cars make sure that your Connected Drive software is up to date.
For For SYNC make sure that your SYNC software is up to date. Download the latest SYNC software update to a USB drive for free. You can then install the update in your vehicle.
Previously, we suggested the nuke-it fix that sometimes help re-pair Bluetooth connections and in-car systems
Apple keeps Bluetooth on during updates, which may be the a cause of some problems.
The iOS 8.3 update is expected to arrive with the Apple Watch launch on April 24. In iOS 8.3 there will be changes to the “Hey Siri” function to allow it to take and make the call through the iPhone speakerphone.
If you have updated to iOS 8.2 for iPhone 5/5S/5c 6-6+ and it fixed or fried your Bluetooth issues with your in-car infotainment system, please let us know in the comments below, be sure to note your make, model and year of your vehicle. We also welcome any solutions you have found worked with your car.
One commenter noted that you should delete all devices off your iPhone before connecting to the car infotainment system.
We have comments from readers that there are still Bluetooth problems reported with BMW, Audi, Acura, MINI, GM(Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Buick), Honda, Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Lexus, Fiat, Hyundai, Chrysler, Acura, Mazda and more.
Previously, after talking to many automakers we asked Why Bluetooth iOS 8-8.1 & iPhone 6-6+ issues persist in cars? It seemed like the 8.1 update helped with a few new model cars. Here is a summary of Bluetooth issues and fixes and checkout the most popular nuke-it fixes.
We received good and bad news about iOS 8.2 when it was first launched.
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iPhone 5 no longer plays music through bluetooth or USB in 2016 Ford Focus.
USB and Bluetooth issues and .voice comand
HI. I have a 2013 Hyundai Sana Fe and an iphone 6 with ios 9.0.2. Upgraded a week ago. Just TODAY, when I try to play music, it makes a phone call, and the music plays through the car speakers like it is a phone call. Every app I opened, the Bluetooth came on like I was trying to make a call. I connected through USB instead, same issue. It calls MY phone number, then plays the music through the speakers. I am not sure if this is a very clear explanation. I unpaired and re-paired. I disconnected and then re-connected the Bluetooth. Same thing. When I go to play music, it makes a phone call. ???
This is an iOS 8 issue. I upgraded all my car software.. tried everything but still had all the problems. Everything was fine under iOS7.
I installed iOS 9.1 Beta on my iPhone 5S and it appears that all the problems have been resolved. I connected via BlueTooth and my address book now fully loads. I did search of address book and that works. I placed phone calls. I played music. I then connected USB and for full music interface. All issues have been resolved.
I have a BMW 535.
I have a Peugeot 207 59 plate – this is so frustrating as my bluetooth worked for 5 years and now it either connects and when I turn the engine off it does not find my phone and I can not even re-connect through my cars controls. Sometimes it just does not connect at all. I have an iphone 5S software IOS 8.4. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
After the latest iPhone 5s upgrade (8.4), I’m no longer able to connected to my 2015 Toyota RAV4 through Bluetooth. Uninstalling it and reinstalling it worked once, but now my car won’t even recognize I have a phone. Needless to say, I’m disgusted. Is there a fix for this?
Carol, I feel your pain – also just posted a similar issue and thought it was my car playing up until I started reading into this on various forums. I have also tried to unistall and reinstall and my car sometimes wont even allow me to do that through the controls. If there is any solutions I am very interested as I relied on this functionality daily for work commitments.
I have a 2014 Hyundai Tuscon which worked fine with the hand free bluetooth until I upgraded my iPhone 6 in January. Since then I haven’t been able to use it. When it does link, and I try to make a call it just makes a warbling ring thru the speakers and never connects. I have not been able to link it since. The people at the Hyundai dealership just said it must be an Apple issue since they were able to pair an HTC phone and it worked fine.
I have just updated to iOS 8.3, and my USB connection to my 2013 mini no longer works.
This was fixed when I had iOS 8.2, but only by deleting the phone from the cars connection log, then re-pairing.
Now I again have no music, this whole ‘It just works’ no longer applies to apple it would seem.
This problem also occurred recently with a 2014 BMW 4 series too.
The phone is a 128GB iPhone 6.
Hi Mike,
BMW/Benz cars have switching features for an iPhone in Bluetooth and USB.(For more details you can see the user manual)
When you have any updates in phone software and you have problems in connecting your iPhone to car after a software update, you can perform the below steps.
1] Go to the connected device list and delete the iPhone from the list in your car.
2] Now in your phone go to Settings -> Bluetooth, and in the list of devices paired in the phone find the ID of the car, tap on the “i” on the right of the ID(Name) of the car. And forget the device.
3] Perform a complete ignition OFF of the car. If needed restart the iPhone.
4] Now connect the phone via USB/Bluetooth.
If this solves the Bluetooth issue and not the USB issue. I think you better have your USB port checked in the BMW service stations.
Also check if the USB connection works after disabling Bluetooth in the car.
I have an iPhone 6 plus driving a 2014 Honda accord everything works fine Bluetooth wise except I’m suppose to be able to see incoming text messages on the screen in the car as well as send them it hasn’t worked honda says it is a problem with Apple something inside the phone not allowing the text messaging to work .. Will this ever be fixed ? Jomansdad@icloud.com any advise or help fixing this problem ? Daniel D’Angelo