CarPlay and Bluetooth Disconnects

[Auggie]

I don't know if this was due to the recent iOS 17 beta's, but several weeks ago, whenever I connect my iPhone 14 Pro via USB, it disconnects the Bluetooth pairing; disconnecting from USB restores the Bluetooth pairing.

I have a 2018 Ford Sync 3 system and it only allows CarPlay via USB connection; it still used to be simultaneously connected via Bluetooth as well. But now with the current issue of dropping the Bluetooth connection, I no longer get turn-by-turn audio from Maps through CarPlay, which is the only reason why I use CarPlay to begin with (Maps and Gaia).

Anyone else experiencing this?

I don't know if there is a hardware failure somewhere (Sync 3 module, USB module, USB cable, and/or iPhone) or if it's truly related to an iOS 17 bug but hoping others may be experiencing this issue so i can be rest assured it's not hardware and I can report a bug to Apple.

 

[Reverend Benny]

As far as I can remember when using Carplay via cable on my last car (Seat Leon 2020) it disconnected BT as soon as Carplay connected. Always thought it made sense. But it might be car specific how it behaves.
Isn't the Maps audio sent via Carplay 🤔 ?

 

[slomtbr]

Maybe your phone is trying to send audio via your Ford's Bluetooth, or your Ford is looking for audio via BlueTooth.
I would delete the phone from the vehicle's BlueTooth, and the vehicle from the phone.

 

[Auggie]

As far as I can remember when using Carplay via cable on my last car (Seat Leon 2020) it disconnected BT as soon as Carplay connected. Always thought it made sense. But it might be car specific how it behaves.
Isn't the Maps audio sent via Carplay 🤔 ?

Although that sounds like it may make sense, as far as I can recall, I think I always saw within the Ford SYNC screens (when I switch from CarPlay to "Ford" app), my phone connected with battery level and cellular strength status via vertical bars. Now there's no "phone" listed under the phone window pane, ergo no phone battery/cellular status.

But it's been many years since I really paid attention to it, so my memory could be wrong (but I don't think so); hence, I haven't yet submitted a bug report to Apple until I confirm it's functionality with a different SYNC 3 system (different vehicle), different iPhone (my gf's).

 

[Auggie]

Maybe your phone is trying to send audio via your Ford's Bluetooth, or your Ford is looking for audio via BlueTooth.
I would delete the phone from the vehicle's BlueTooth, and the vehicle from the phone.

Tried this multiple times, and just did a SYNC 3 update from 22251 to 23188, which required that I re-add the phone, and still the problem persists.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

My current car has wireless CarPlay (and is a Chevy) so behavior is different. However my last car used wired CarPlay and the phone was never even connected to Bluetooth; it still showed signal & battery via the usb connection.

 

[Helmsley]

Could changing the Bluetooth device type on your iPhone help?

I'm not really sure what the setting does (seemingly nothing on my Audi) but it was just a suggestion.

 

[Auggie]

Could changing the Bluetooth device type on your iPhone help?

I'm not really sure what the setting does (seemingly nothing on my Audi) but it was just a suggestion.

EDIT: Replied to wrong post.

Not sure what "device type" to change to.

 

[Auggie]

My current car has wireless CarPlay (and is a Chevy) so behavior is different. However my last car used wired CarPlay and the phone was never even connected to Bluetooth; it still showed signal & battery via the usb connection.

That could be it: something has caused the iPhone to no longer be unrecognized by Sync 3 when connected via USB, even though CarPlay "works" (other than audio) and has nothing to do with Bluetooth...

 

[panzer06]

I don't know if this was due to the recent iOS 17 beta's, but several weeks ago, whenever I connect my iPhone 14 Pro via USB, it disconnects the Bluetooth pairing; disconnecting from USB restores the Bluetooth pairing.

I have a 2018 Ford Sync 3 system and it only allows CarPlay via USB connection; it still used to be simultaneously connected via Bluetooth as well. But now with the current issue of dropping the Bluetooth connection, I no longer get turn-by-turn audio from Maps through CarPlay, which is the only reason why I use CarPlay to begin with (Maps and Gaia).

Anyone else experiencing this?

I don't know if there is a hardware failure somewhere (Sync 3 module, USB module, USB cable, and/or iPhone) or if it's truly related to an iOS 17 bug but hoping others may be experiencing this issue so i can be rest assured it's not hardware and I can report a bug to Apple.

This is always how mine has worked across all my cars minus the other glitches you mention. Just no bluetooth when connected via USB

 

[Helmsley]

EDIT: Replied to wrong post.

Not sure what "device type" to change to.

Car stereo?

 

[Soondae]

I am in Thailand and have three vehicles with car play; an old Nissan using a Kenwood after market receiver, a Mazda CX-3 and a new Nissan Caliber truck. They all require USB cable for car play connection, all three vehicles keep the bluetooth connection while using car play. I use Google maps as Google is better here in Thailand and my voice commands are hit and miss I think due to listening to the music APP. I haven't played with it alot but on Google maps you can toggle voice on off via the map screen. You should talk to Ford, that doesn't sound like correct operation to me.

 

[mtrm]

I believe the behaviour will change from maker to maker (and also from model year to model year). I only have one vehicle that supports CarPlay (a 2016 VW) and as soon as I plug the iPhone in it fires up CarPlay and disconnects from Bluetooth, but the audio plays just fine through CarPlay. The same happens with Android auto, so I’m assuming it’s the intended behaviour.

 

[Mind The Mac]

If you have tried these already, please ignore.

Are you getting music from the phone using CarPlay? If yes, then have you checked the volume setting for Maps - IIRC this has a separate level setting on the head unit. Often, it is only adjustable on the car unit when it is being spoken. Also in Settings>Maps>Spoken Directions, what is the Direction on Radio set to?