iPhone 17 running iOS 26 – Bluetooth audio issues

[stuartea]

After pairing my new iPhone 17 (iOS 26) with a JBL Go 3 eco (firmware 0003 - can't find any way to update that) speaker I'm getting frequent static and audio dropouts.

Troubleshooting attempted​

• Deleted and re-paired the JBL speaker
• Factory reset the speaker
• Reset network settings on the iPhone
• Tested with another Bluetooth speaker (Ruark MR1)

None of these steps resolved the issue.

Additional observations​

• Pairing with the Ruark MR1 speakers took a very long time.The speaker just didn't want to show up. Once connected, audio plays but with occasional dropouts but nothing like the JBLs
• Both JBL Go 3 and Ruark MR1 work perfectly with my older iPhone XR on iOS 25, so the issue seems specific to iPhone 17 / iOS 26.

Console logs (via Mac)​

• RSSI is strong, so it’s not a signal issue.
• Relevant log entries:
  • A2DP packet flushed: Audio Queue full
  • Write in progress (status=65535)
• These indicate that the iPhone is filling the Bluetooth audio buffer and dropping packets, which would explain the static and interruptions.

Cross-device testing​

• iPad Air (5th gen, iPadOS 26)
• iPhone 13 mini (iOS 26)
• Old iPod touch (4th gen)
• All work fine
• iPhone 17 + my old Skullcandy S21KW Ink’d Wireless earbuds: works fine.

This seems to be an iOS 26 A2DP bug specific to iPhone 17 hardware (possibly the new N1 chip?) and certain Bluetooth and the JBL Go 3. It does not appear to be a general Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interference problem.

Contacted JBL (now harman) who replied saying they had no issues with iOS 26, but I can't be sure if they actually tested it with the specific speaker.

Note: Updating to iOS 26.0.1 did not resolve the issue.

Beta 26.1 doesn't fix it. The Ruarks seem fine but the JBL, same skipping and glitching. So it seems some compatibility problem with the JBLs. The JBL Go 3 supports SBC maybe AAC?. It could be the N1 Bluetooth chip in the iPhone 17 is tripping up on JBL’s SBC? The phone's software is trying to transmit audio packets faster than the chip or the speaker can handle them.

Any ideas? I guess I just want to rule out it being a real hardware issue with my iPhone 17.

 

[harrymomsen]

Same problems here with my JBL Go4 and the JBL Extreme4 !
My old IPhone 15 Pro works perfect .
JBL Portable App doesn’t work too now.
Can not connect and more issues .

 

[stuartea]

Same problems here with my JBL Go4 and the JBL Extreme4 !
My old IPhone 15 Pro works perfect .
JBL Portable App doesn’t work too now.
Can not connect and more issues .

Commiserations! But thanks for the reply, was starting to think it was just me!

Although they must blame Apple, it’s worth contacting Harman (JBL) support so they know it’s not an isolated issue. And report it to Apple (I’ve heard nothing from them).

Could you connect them with your 15 and see if there’s a firmware update? (Sadly the go 3s don’t have that ability). Least you saves me from buying the 4s to test.

 

[harrymomsen]

I’m from Germany and I’m not at home this week.
But next week I’ll check the software version on all my JBL devices and post it here.
I’ve described the problem in detail in the app reviews — okay, I’ll still do that on Apple as well.
We’ll stay in touch — there must be more users with this problem, right?!?

 

[stuartea]

I’m from Germany and I’m not at home this week.
But next week I’ll check the software version on all my JBL devices and post it here.
I’ve described the problem in detail in the app reviews — okay, I’ll still do that on Apple as well.
We’ll stay in touch — there must be more users with this problem, right?!?

I would have thought so? But maybe there’s fewer iPhone JBL users than we think 🤔 good luck! 🤞

 

[DJJ34]

Im in the same boat. JBL charge 5 connected to my iPhone 17 pro max, Bluetooth skipping, static, juttering constantly. Never had any issues for the year I had the speaker connected to my iPhone 13 Pro. I literally just had the music on my JBL stuttering while connected to my iPhone 17 pro max. I use a MagSafe mount by my bedside table, wondering if the magnet is interfering. My phone was on charge at the time. If I took it off the mount and lay on the bed no issues, as soon as I picked up the phone in my hand the music started to jitter. Wordring if it’s a problem while on charge playing music. Because while it’s off charge playing music holding the phone next to the speaker no issues again. Strange but every annoying having issues on a new ohone but not on my old device!

 

[BavIp]

I have the same Problem on a JBL Xtreme 4 with an iPhone 17 Pro.

I have raised a ticket at JBL and sent them a video!

Hopefully they will create firmware updates, because I like their product

 

[stuartea]

Im in the same boat. JBL charge 5 connected to my iPhone 17 pro max, Bluetooth skipping, static, juttering constantly. Never had any issues for the year I had the speaker connected to my iPhone 13 Pro. I literally just had the music on my JBL stuttering while connected to my iPhone 17 pro max. I use a MagSafe mount by my bedside table, wondering if the magnet is interfering. My phone was on charge at the time. If I took it off the mount and lay on the bed no issues, as soon as I picked up the phone in my hand the music started to jitter. Wordring if it’s a problem while on charge playing music. Because while it’s off charge playing music holding the phone next to the speaker no issues again. Strange but every annoying having issues on a new ohone but not on my old device!

good to hear other people’s issues. Hopefully it’ll add pressure for someone to fix it!

I’m pretty sure it’s to do with high-bitrate A2DP streaming and buffering. I’ve noticed it can seem fine for awhile and you think it’s ok but it’ll just start sound out again. Anecdotally, just moving the phone sometimes when it’s braking up can fix it.

Lower bit rate sources, like BBC sounds app seems to play without issues for longer. But it happens to mine charging or not.

 

[stuartea]

I have the same Problem on a JBL Xtreme 4 with an iPhone 17 Pro.

I have raised a ticket at JBL and sent them a video!

Hopefully they will create firmware updates, because I like their product

Hope so!

I’m running the latest beta I’d 26.1 and it’s not fixed it. Apple haven’t replied to my bug reports. JBL (harmen) just blames Apple when i reported it. But then, the JBL 3 go can’t get firmware updates, so they’d need to push Apple to fix it. Must be the new chip.

 

[BavIp]

I dont think it is apples fault because it seems other speakers work fine

 

[stuartea]

I dont think it is apples fault because it seems other speakers work fine

Considering the speaker works ok with my older iPhone and other equipment. It’s definitely something Apple has done with the iPhone 17.

 

[BavIp]

Well, Bluetooth works for me with:

Apple Watch
AirPods
Shoks EarBuds
JBL Go 2
Teufel
Sonos
Volkswagen Infotainment
BMW Infotainment
…

I hope for Harman to release a firmware update …