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iPhone 17 running iOS 26 – Bluetooth audio issues

S

stuartea

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 18, 2002
23
5
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.
 
Last edited:
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 .
 
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harrymomsen said:
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 .
Click to expand...
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.
 
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?!?
 
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harrymomsen said:
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?!?
Click to expand...
I would have thought so? But maybe there’s fewer iPhone JBL users than we think 🤔 good luck! 🤞
 
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!
 
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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
 
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DJJ34 said:
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!
Click to expand...
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.
 
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BavIp said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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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 …
 
how long do i get to return my iphone 17 pro max from purchasing it at an apple store. I cant live with the audio scrambling up every day while listening to music. Im going to go back to my 13pro that was faultless
 
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I just got a reply from Harman support:

You can still try the following steps:
• Clear the BT (Bluetooth) list on your phone.
• Restart your phone.
• Eliminate BT interference from other Bluetooth-enabled devices in the location — test pairing in another location to also rule out possible local interference issues.
• Test with another Bluetooth device so we can confirm the issue is with the source device.
• Reset the speakers.

Since your older devices work, and other manufacturers also report problems with current iPhones, please contact Apple Care Support — that is the technical support.

Super - we are running in circles !!
 
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I have (and love) a pair of JBL Go 4 speakers that were working perfectly with my M1 iPad Pro. When I upgraded to an M5 iPad Pro recently, the JBL speakers would not work properly unless they were 6" from the iPad (alone or in a stereo pair, they would stutter or drop out totally. I also had a HECK of a time pairing them to the M5 iPP), so I returned the M5 after a few days.

iPadOS 26.1 on both iPads
Go 4 Firmware version: 0.6.4.0
 
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I got my iPhone 17 pro max in September so I won’t be able to return it now. I love the phone but I hate the bugs.
 
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In Beta Programm there is the feedback app….there you could raise a ticket with the buffering logs
 
I’ve admitted defeat and bought an Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go and so far after a few hours testing, no problems! 🤞

It’s very similar to the JBL, a little larger but was on offer and sounds fine to my ears. Plus, not going insane with the glitches.


​

 
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I’ve had a phone call from Apple support. Also sent them videos for proof of Bluetooth issues recorded from my partners iPhone. I’m waiting for a response. They wanted me to test the Bluetooth issue to see if it was from streaming services (internet based) or from downloaded files save to my iPhone without wifi connected. It happens on both. Also wanted me to switch off Apple Watch, still the same.
 
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