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Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

I am having issues with bluetooth dropping the connection in my car and air pods pro since I upgraded my phone to iphone 15 PM and IOS 17.0.3. Any help would be greatly appreciated. this is my main phone and I can't take the chance of having unstable IOS build on it. Any suggestions or better yet can apple just make something that works as it should for $1200 thanks!


[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 6, 2023 8:59 AM

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Posted on Dec 10, 2023 10:33 AM

I’m up to date on iOS 17.1.2 and still having Bluetooth issues. It’s nearly impossible to use Bluetooth in my car at this point.

619 replies

Oct 12, 2023 6:17 PM in response to ml041582

I also am losing connection with my cars factory radio/phone (non-CarPlay). Started as soon as I bought the 15 Pro Max. Actually I have been having a lot of issues with this phone. I believe it’s a software issue. Apple isn’t the same company it was 10 years ago. Progressively has been having issues with each and every new iOS release. I think enough with the “carbon neutral” and AppleTv shows and concentrate on putting out better and non-buggy software.

Oct 15, 2023 3:49 AM in response to harrishlee

Ok I’m glad I’m not alone! It’s driving me mad. Bluetooth suddenly stopped working 2-3 weeks ago for 15 mins or so, then has happened twice more since then. Happens when my AirPod Pros are connected, or with any other headphones including my Bose earbuds. I’ve raised 3 support cases and the Support team haven't been helpful. I’ve also been in for a genius appointment and no answers. If it is indeed a software issue, I hope Apple fixes it fast. This simply shouldn’t be happening.

Jan 11, 2024 4:24 PM in response to ml041582

A hypothesis: There exists a Bluetooth 5.3 connection error isolated to iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models running the A17 Pro chip causing disconnectiom issues in older models of cars.


My summary: iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 connects in older vehicles, so there should be no reason why the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max shouldn't work, unless there is a hardware, software or firmware issue specific to these more advanced models using the A17 Pro chipset.


Apologies, I get a bit geeky here so pass by if you don't do tech ...


My observations:


    1. My iPhone 15 Pro on iOS 17.2.1 repeatedly disconnects at exactly 40 seconds in my 2013 Audi A4.
    2. This problem has persisted through various iOS updates since purchasing my iPhone 15 Pro.
    3. A number of posts in this thread highlight problems with iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone Pro Max and either older Audi, Porsche or VW cars.
    4. I have tested my iPhone 15 Pro in a 2019 VW Polo and there are NO disconnection issues.
    5. A number of posts highlight no problems with older phones.
    6. I have tested my car setup with an iPhone XR, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, all running iOS 17.2.1 and in my experience, there are NO disconnection problems.
    7. Phone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max use the new A17 Pro chip, whereas the iPhone 14 and 15 tested in Point above use the A16 chip.
    8. A16 and A17 Pro chips both support Bluetooth 5.3.


The common factors for me are:

    • Older vehicles
    • 15 Pro and Pro Max
    • A17 Pro chip


A bit of research around Point 1 (disconnection at 40 seconds), Point 7 (Bluetooth 5.3) and the Bluetooth Organisation,led me to Bluetooth 5.3 Core Specification Volume 6 Part B Section 5.2 which states:


"If the procedure response timeout timer reaches 40 seconds, the ACL

connection is considered lost (see Section 4.5.12). The Link Layer exits the

Connection state and shall transition to the Standby state. The Host shall be

notified of the loss of connection."


This refers to termination of a bluetooth connection between two devices.


Does this seem like a coincidence?


I wonder if older cars are using the low data rate Bluetooth connections eg. BLE, whereas modern cars are using A2DP which supports streaming i.e. data transfer. This should not be a problem though ...


A wider search of bluetooth disconnection issues on other devices ranging from tablets, PCs, airpods and cars all point to this 40 second benchmark. This is not a new phenomena isolated to these phones and our cars, it should be a straightforward software fix for Apple to render successfully.

Oct 14, 2023 7:35 AM in response to ml041582

Using same hearing aids on IP 11 for three years without any problems. Not even a small problem. Worked flawlessly. Upgraded to IP 15 Pro and nothing but problems with BT connectivity. Looses connection without warning, acting erratically, sometimes only one side connects. It's not the hearing aids, and not me, I've done everything. Now I'm waiting for a fix............

Dec 11, 2023 3:10 PM in response to ml041582

I just got off the phone with a senior tech @ Apple. I told him about the issues with the 15PM and Bluetooth. He was taken aback by the issues and about how many people are having the same issues as seen here on this forum that has almost 25,000 views. Anyway upon reviewing all his sources he discovered an entry at 3:26 PM EST today that acknowledges a Bluetooth issue with the 15 Pros and that it will be fixed with a future software update. It states to explain this to the customer when they call in with this issue. Long story short, Apple has finally acknowledged they have a problem! Let's hope a fix comes sooner than later.

Dec 4, 2023 5:04 PM in response to ml041582

Same problem with an iPhone 15 Pro running 17.1.2. While troubleshooting, I noted another bluetooth device (in my car) listed on my iphone as 'connected' *in my bluetooth settings) just as my phone dropped. The pair of Apple Airpods listed were located in my car but not in use when my iphone's bluetooth connection was dropped. I turned bluetooth off on my iphone, then bluetooth back on. Then the airpods showed 'not connected' on iphone, and the iphone instantly reconnected to my car bluetooth!

Dec 19, 2023 9:29 AM in response to ml041582

I moved from 15 plus to 15 pro max (silly but switched carriers so I got it for free) and am having terrible bluetooth connections. Car bluetooth is fine. But on both my AirPods Max and and Beats Studio Buds, my music will cut out and reconnect and calls will drop after 5 to 10 minutes. Done all the resets. Hoping we are sent a software update soon.

Dec 16, 2023 2:52 AM in response to MiPortugaPC

I can confirm that running IOS17.2 on iPhone 15Pro Max, as long device is connected to a wireless charger, the car bluetooth audio call (only during calls via BT, no CarPlay) is interrupted (call still active) as BT connection is complete unstable (endlessly BT disconnect/connect).


If iPhone 15 Pro Max is removed from wireless charger, connection became stable and no issues for phone calls using car bluetooth system (Audi A4, 2014).


When playing some media over 3rd party BT receiver (my car support only BT calls , therefore was needed to use a cheap BT receiver on AUX input of car system), no issues even iPhone connected to wireless charger.


In the same usage conditions, no issues occurs using iPhone 12Pro or iPhone 13Pro…


It seems that iPhone 15Pro Max is featured by an expensive poor design 😐

Oct 23, 2023 1:36 PM in response to ml041582

My iPhone 12 Pro running the same iOS version was having no issues automatically connecting to my car Bluetooth. I have “upgraded” to iPhone 15 pro and now I have to manually connect my Bluetooth every time I get in my car, then connection starts failing until it totally disconnects. Manually connect again and this is the same history every single day..........I can plug it by cable, but I spent too much $$$$ in my iPhone and my car wireless/bluetooth connection goes to trash......

Bluetooth issues on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 17.0.3

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