Users report Bluetooth connectivity, quality issues with iOS 4
Users of iOS 4 on both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS say their handset has constantly dropped wireless Bluetooth connections with both headsets and in-car systems.
Numerous users contacted AppleInsider to say that they have experienced a number of problems specific to iOS 4 with Bluetooth connectivity. A number of people who upgraded their iPhone 3GS found that their phone's Bluetooth became problematic, even though it worked fine before the iOS 4 update. And others who bought a new iPhone 4 have encountered some of the same issues.
"Nearly every time I'm in my car the iPhone disconnects from the built-in Bluetooth system," one reader with an iPhone 4 wrote. "This never, ever happened with my 3G phone. I have a case number with AppleCare and they refuse to acknowledge the problem or replace the phone, even after having the problem persist after downloading a fresh copy of IOS 4, reinstalling the software and setting the phone up bare with no other apps. Could this be another antenna problem?"
In numerous threads on the official Apple Discussions forums, users have shared similar problems (1, 2, 3, 4). Those threads have only grown since iOS 4 and the iPhone 4 were released in late June.
Users have said that their Bluetooth connections will sporadically drop after the two devices are successfully paired. Others can connect, but are met with a message that says "no media found" when trying to play music. And some said they have experienced muffled voices when placing a call over Bluetooth.
Some users on the forums noted that the recent iOS 4.0.1 update did not fix the Bluetooth issues. The minor update featured a cosmetic fix that changed how the iPhone reports bars of signal strength.
The Bluetooth pairing issues are said to exist across a range of devices, including vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, car stereos from Pioneer and Alpine, and headsets from Motorola and Jawbone.
Some said they have fixed the problem by resetting the phone's settings. This can be done by launching the Settings application, choosing General, Reset, and Reset All Settings. Interestingly, the same fix was said to work for some who experienced issues with the proximity sensor on the iPhone 4. Apple has said it is working on a software fix for the proximity sensor problems with the iPhone 4, but has made no mention of the reported Bluetooth problems.
Numerous users contacted AppleInsider to say that they have experienced a number of problems specific to iOS 4 with Bluetooth connectivity. A number of people who upgraded their iPhone 3GS found that their phone's Bluetooth became problematic, even though it worked fine before the iOS 4 update. And others who bought a new iPhone 4 have encountered some of the same issues.
"Nearly every time I'm in my car the iPhone disconnects from the built-in Bluetooth system," one reader with an iPhone 4 wrote. "This never, ever happened with my 3G phone. I have a case number with AppleCare and they refuse to acknowledge the problem or replace the phone, even after having the problem persist after downloading a fresh copy of IOS 4, reinstalling the software and setting the phone up bare with no other apps. Could this be another antenna problem?"
In numerous threads on the official Apple Discussions forums, users have shared similar problems (1, 2, 3, 4). Those threads have only grown since iOS 4 and the iPhone 4 were released in late June.
Users have said that their Bluetooth connections will sporadically drop after the two devices are successfully paired. Others can connect, but are met with a message that says "no media found" when trying to play music. And some said they have experienced muffled voices when placing a call over Bluetooth.
Some users on the forums noted that the recent iOS 4.0.1 update did not fix the Bluetooth issues. The minor update featured a cosmetic fix that changed how the iPhone reports bars of signal strength.
The Bluetooth pairing issues are said to exist across a range of devices, including vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, car stereos from Pioneer and Alpine, and headsets from Motorola and Jawbone.
Some said they have fixed the problem by resetting the phone's settings. This can be done by launching the Settings application, choosing General, Reset, and Reset All Settings. Interestingly, the same fix was said to work for some who experienced issues with the proximity sensor on the iPhone 4. Apple has said it is working on a software fix for the proximity sensor problems with the iPhone 4, but has made no mention of the reported Bluetooth problems.
Comments
That being said, I just want a fix for this flippin' proximity sensor issue.
I did have to reboot my phone one time when no one was able to hear anyone when initiating a BT call and then all subsequent calls were also in the same state and I could not switch away from the BT connection.
That being said, I just want a fix for this flippin' proximity sensor issue.
I really only use my phone over BT, so I had no real feel for the proximity sensor business until recently. I've been driving a loaner without built in BT and have hung up on and/or muted almost every call. I doubt I did either in the 2 years I had my 3G.
Duane, Ford runs Microsoft software, not that it should cause any issues, but could that explain it a bit.
Maybe different car manufacturers' have different ways of finding a bluetooth device?
Probably just a software glitch that needs tweaking....
Today, Apple Inc. announced ToothTime, a new short range communications protocol for wireless devices. Apple started working on the new standard after users complained about buggy Bluetooth performance on iOS devices.
"Here at Apple Inc, we love our users," said CEO Steve Jobs, "And when we realized how buggy Bluetooth was, we decided to help make things right by introducing our own proprietary standard. Trust me, Bluetooth is a big bag of hurt!"
Asked about claims that Bluetooth worked fine under iOS 3 and under, Jobs responded, calling those claims, "a total crock!"
COO Tim Cook noted that Bluetooth functionality would be disabled under all future revisions of iOS and its related devices through a future software update. "You want wireless device connectivity? You'll be able to buy ToothTime enabled accessories starting in Q4 of this year. Stay tuned, this protocol is something magical! No muffled calls, no dropped connections, only crystal clear sound and flawless data transfers."
Apple executives reportedly began sending out ToothTime license applications to its accessory partners earlier this week.
More on this fictional story as it develops...
No problems with my iPhone 4 and my Samsung Bluetooth headset. Sorry for those that are having problems.
That being said, I just want a fix for this flippin' proximity sensor issue.
I've had no Bluetooth issues with my iPhone 4 on my Mazda3's Bluetooth system. I bought the car on my last few weeks of my i3G and had a few dropped connections with that, so it seems the new antenna is working better for me so far as long as the phone isn't being held (which I don't do in the car anyway).
I hadn't had any proximity sensors issues until yesterday when my cheek caused my iPhone4 to go into Hold or Mute mode 3 times during a call! I usually angle the phone away from my head so it hasn't previously been an issue but I fully understand how it can be a major issue for some.
Still dropping calls in San Francisco when 3G is enabled, anxiously awaiting my badly needed bumper!
EDIT: Thought I should add a little more clarity. The car stereo thinks it's playing music. I can move through the tracks, start playlists, etc. But I get no sound.
Let's hear what issues Nokia has with BT. I bet that these problems are a challenge to the entire mobile industry. Plus, they likely affect no more than 0.55% of iPhones.
That maybe true. Why don't you head over to Nokia insider and report back.
This is an Apple centric website and reports acordingly. I did not not get the feeling that Ai was being overly critical of Apple or had a Apple is doomed spin on the story.
Let's hear what issues Nokia has with BT. I bet that these problems are a challenge to the entire mobile industry. Plus, they likely affect no more than 0.55% of iPhones.
Oh yeah, me too! How can there be any problem, common, Apple made it!
You're holding it wrong.
The right way to hold it is balance it on a single (index) finger while keeping the phone horizontal.. sorta "fingering" pose!