Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 7 and BMW Owners Experiencing Bluetooth Audio Issues

when is the time when we all start saying "problems may not go away, but at least they'll be fewer of them" at launch ?

I know that can't be problem free, but seems if u take the same number of last model came out, it would equal up to about the same.
 
MacRumors said:



Over the past two weeks, an increasing number of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus users have experienced Bluetooth audio issues in vehicles. The majority of users experiencing problems appear to be BMW owners, regardless of model, but other vehicle brands such as Hyundai and Kia appear to be involved in limited cases.

bluetooth-iphone-7-bmw.jpg

The issues range from audio cutting out to connectivity issues with infotainment systems. BMW users in particular report being able to stream music for about 5-10 seconds, at which point the ConnectedDrive system freezes. Fixing the system requires restarting the iPhone, but the issue reemerges once the connection is reestablished.

MacRumors reader YachtMac posted in our discussion forums:Apple Support Communities member Chandy911 echoed the same problem:MacRumors reader PorscheRain:BMW itself has acknowledged the issues and said it is working with Apple to ensure iPhone 7 compatibility in its vehicles:Apple has seemingly told some customers the fix will be included in an upcoming software update. The issue is still present on iOS 10.1 beta. BMW owners are recommended to update to the latest version of ConnectedDrive as a preparative measure. BMWs equipped with CarPlay do not appear to be affected.

These types of issues have been seen before. In 2014, some users experienced trouble pairing their devices to their vehicles via Bluetooth after upgrading to iOS 8 or purchasing a new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. Apple fixed the issues in iOS 8.1. Similar issues affecting some iPhone SE users were addressed in iOS 9.3.2.

Article Link: iPhone 7 and BMW Owners Experiencing Bluetooth Audio Issues
Click to expand...
2016 Honda Civic is being affected too.
 
My 2015 Yeti has had issues with my 6s from day one. Every time I get in the car and try to make a call the pitch on my end is noticibly lower out of my speakers and noticibly higher on the recipient's end, almost as though their voice is slowed down and mine is sped up. After the first call it's fine. Have quite a few issues with music also.
 
gregoryalee said:
Compromised analog signal? How so? Have you ever heard of gain staging? Works wonders! What data do you have to support this? Numbers please, not subjective opinion as you always seem to provide. Many Many people over at head-fi.org, a community of audiophiles, certainly don't agree with you, and feel that the DAC in the iphone is excellent. I would agree, even with owning a 2300.00 DAC/Amp at home.
In addition, most car manufacturers offer pretty crappy OEM stereo solutions putting very little money into audio. Since you appear to think you are an audio expert, which OEM entertainment systems have better DACs than the iphone?
Click to expand...

Hysterical ... where are all of your numbers and data? I'm not having this debate with you. Enjoy your chats with the members over at head-fi.org who "feel that the DAC in the iphone is excellent". Oh the irony of your comments. Have a good one.

iLog.Genius said:
I wouldn't say that the iPhone DAC/amp compromises the output, it's in fact really good for what it is if you head over to audiophile forums. I think the problem has to do more with the setup in the car than anything. For example, on MINI's, there is a filter/roll off through AUX so the sound is going to be compromised because of that and not because the iPhone is compromising the output via headphone jack. So a USB connection may be better but not because the iPhone outputs a better signal via USB but because BMW intentionally tweaked what the AUX can take from other external sources for whatever reason.
Click to expand...

There is no way around it, the 3.5mm output from the iPhone is technically compromised, whether you hear the difference or not. Apple strikes a mid-ground between optimized output for headphones, and optimized output for line signal. It is neither, but a happy compromise that works effectively on both. A professional would not tolerate that kind of output in a professional setup. When given the choice, they will always prefer a raw digital source over a mobile device headphone output, even th iPhone.

Now granted there are all sorts of outboard ways to handle the compromise and improve the output, but it's still a compromise, and now it's one with extra steps. And there's no two ways about it -- a clean digital signal going into a good head unit is going to be better than the analogue output from an iPhone, assuming the DAC and amp in the head unit are comparable quality or better -- and the amp almost has to be.

Again, I'm not saying the iPhone's 3.5mm output is bad. It's one of the best out there. But the unilateral statement being made is that the digital output into a car stereo system is no better than the iPhone headphone jack analogue output, when in fact that's simply not true. That's all I'm saying here.
 
Last edited:
The same is happening with parrot mki 9200 and iphone 6s plus, after some seconds of any call it suddenly drops bluetooth connection.
 
Mac 128 said:
Hysterical ... where are all of your numbers and data? I'm not having this debate with you. Enjoy your chats with the members over at head-fi.org who "feel that the DAC in the iphone is excellent". Oh the irony of your comments. Have a good one.



There is no way around it, the 3.5mm output from the iPhone is technically compromised, whether you hear the difference or not. Apple strikes a mid-ground between optimized output for headphones, and optimized output for line signal. It is neither, but a happy compromise that works effectively on both. A professional would not tolerate that kind of output in a professional setup. When given the choice, they will always prefer a raw digital source over a mobile device headphone output.

Now granted there are all sorts of outboard ways to handle the compromise and improve the output, but it's still a compromise, and now it's one with extra steps. And there's no two ways about it -- a clean digital signal going into a good head unit is going to be better than the analogue output from an iPhone, assuming the DAC and amp in the head unit are comparable quality -- and the amp almost has to be.

Again, I'm not saying the iPhone's 3.5mm output is bad. It's one of the best out there. But the unilateral statement being made is that the digital output into a car stereo system is no better than the iPhone headphone jack, when in fact that's simply not true. That's all I'm saying here.
Click to expand...

In other words, you can't come up with anything and are trying to cover it up by pointing out some insignificant issue with my statement. You are being totally subjective and got outed. You lost!

Oh and you are totally clueless about audio quality. See ya. Enjoy your #AppleWirelessFuture:)
 
This is not a BMW problem. It's IOS 10 and bluetooth. Happened on my 6s plus now my 7 plus. Happens egregiously on my Ford Fusion Energi. Not useable - after 2 minutes it becomes dead. Happens on my Plantronics Backbeat pro headphones (along with people not hearing my voice on calls). Happens on my UE MegaBoom speaker. I am puzzled how Apple can put a release (with all the betas) and have it break so badly.

Bluetooth has always been problematic with the Ford. Starts playing music as soon as it connects despite the settings on the ford turned off. Random disconnects that can only be fixed by pulling over. Turning off the car, opening the door so everything shuts down, close the door, start the car back up and continue. This alone makes me never want to buy a ford again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregoryalee
ravedog said:
This is not a BMW problem. It's IOS 10 and bluetooth. Happened on my 6s plus now my 7 plus. Happens egregiously on my Ford Fusion Energi. Not useable - after 2 minutes it becomes dead. Happens on my Plantronics Backbeat pro headphones (along with people not hearing my voice on calls). Happens on my UE MegaBoom speaker. I am puzzled how Apple can put a release (with all the betas) and have it break so badly.
Click to expand...
IMO they are focused on selling their Airpods and Beats headphones and didn't properly vet many other BT connected devices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pat500000
I posted about another BMW issue with iOS 10 regarding the playlist not working. Whether in the heads up display or through the console screen, the track you select is not the track that plays. This is when you select a playlist and shuffle. I have been checking BMW's update page and entering my vehicle ID and it always says it's "up to date" so I guess BMW hasn't released anything to solve the issue.
 
kittonian said:
I posted about another BMW issue with iOS 10 regarding the playlist not working. Whether in the heads up display or through the console screen, the track you select is not the track that plays. This is when you select a playlist and shuffle. I have been checking BMW's update page and entering my vehicle ID and it always says it's "up to date" so I guess BMW hasn't released anything to solve the issue.
Click to expand...

How do you know it's an iDrive issue and not an iOS 10 issue? Have you tried to take an older iOS device to try and mimic it?

There are so many assumptions and misinformation being posted that I think the thread title needs to be changed. It's already unlikely that BMW/iDrive is to blame since other owners of other cars/manufacturers are experiencing the same problems and in the OP, it states that Apple has a fix that will be included in the next update so that should already tell you that the problem likely due to iOS and not the infotainment systems in cars. Every other problem experienced that is not mentioned in this OP is irrelevant and is an isolated issue that should be directed elsewhere.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: gregoryalee
Yet another reason not to buy a BMW; or Kia or Hyundai for that matter. Haha.
[doublepost=1475184800][/doublepost]
Attirex said:
beverly hills plastic surgeons who are on MR forums launch epic bmw vs. mercedes battle in 3....2...1....
Click to expand...
Both are pieces of junk....IMO
 
iLog.Genius said:
How do you know it's an iDrive issue and not an iOS 10 issue? Have you tried to take an older iOS device to try and mimic it?
Click to expand...
Oh no, I can guarantee it's an iOS 10 issue as the same iPhone running iOS 9 worked flawlessly. I'm saying that something changed with the communication between iDrive and iOS 10 and this is the resulting issue. Whether BMW needs to issue an update to correct it is up in the air, but I assume that would be the logical conclusion.
 
kittonian said:
Oh no, I can guarantee it's an iOS 10 issue as the same iPhone running iOS 9 worked flawlessly. I'm saying that something changed with the communication between iDrive and iOS 10 and this is the resulting issue. Whether BMW needs to issue an update to correct it is up in the air, but I assume that would be the logical conclusion.
Click to expand...

I got you.

BMW nor any other manufacturer would issue an update as it's likely that it's not something on their end. Infotainment systems are rarely updated so the software on them would largely remain unchanged. It would ultimately be on Apple to update iOS to fix the problem as they stated they would.
 
iLog.Genius said:
I got you.

BMW nor any other manufacturer would issue an update as it's likely that it's not something on their end. Infotainment systems are rarely updated so the software on them would largely remain unchanged. It would ultimately be on Apple to update iOS to fix the problem as they stated they would.
Click to expand...
Actually, BMW is very good about issuing updates and fixing these types of issues. When iOS 9 came out there were similar problems and they issued an update and resolved everything. I expect the same will happen at some point soon to resolve these new issues.
 
Sorry not really following, but isn't this just the no service/3G/LTE drops causing Bluetooth to fail?
 
Over the years dealing with BMW and a few auto manufacturers, I have come to the conclusion that car manufactures, in general, are horrible at "high tech". I will, however, give a bit of a pass to Tesla since they seem to be a bit "high tech", but they too have had software problems of their own.

I find that more times than not, I know more about BMW's Bluetooth and iPhone cradle options than my local dealer, and trying to escalate issues from the dealer to the manufacturer is basically an act of futility. Since I kept my iPhone 6s (I want my headset jack) I'm not having an issue with my BMW, but I would say to those BMW owners dealing with this issue, I have felt your pain.

I remember waiting one full year before BMW finally released the iPhone 5 snap-in-adapter, in-fact, it was not released until the 5s was released, and I have lived through multiple Bluetooth/iPhone integration issues with BMW over the years ... pathetic. I like my BMW, but they are notorious for pointing the finger at Apple, sometimes it might be deserved. The quote below is emblematic of the horrible lack of "tech savviness" or proper planning within the auto industry when it comes to integration with Bluetooth devices.

"We are aware of the concerns you speak of and we are currently working directly with Apple to ensure iPhone 7 compatibility in our vehicles. At this time, the Apple iPhone 7 is not an approved device for our vehicles until testing has completed. We do not currently have an estimated time frame regarding the completion of iPhone 7 testing. Please continue to look for an update from Apple for a new iOS and our update website to help resolve your concerns: www.bmw.com/update. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused."
 
Last edited:
gregoryalee said:
I was going to jump ship for a Galaxy Note 7, but I don't care for my technology exploding!
Click to expand...
Then I'm sure you will be trading in your iPhone 7. Because they are now exploding now. BUT ALL YOU FAN BOYS CAN REST ASSURED CAUSE WORD IS EVEN THE IPHONE EXPLOSIONS ARE BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSES.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregoryalee
gregoryalee said:
I was going to jump ship for a Galaxy Note 7, but I don't care for my technology exploding!
Click to expand...

I'm sticking with my iPhone 6s (I like my headset jack) for a year or two and I love IOS, but I was disappointed to see Samsung's problems with the Galaxy Note 7. Not because I want a Galaxy Note 7, but because I think it's important that Apple continue to have serious competition. For any company, the threat of a competitor eating into your market share keeps companies on their toes and benefits consumers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregoryalee and DCIFRTHS
kittonian said:
Actually, BMW is very good about issuing updates and fixing these types of issues. When iOS 9 came out there were similar problems and they issued an update and resolved everything. I expect the same will happen at some point soon to resolve these new issues.
Click to expand...

Of course if it's a problem with iDrive but in general, I think BMW only releases one or two (if you're lucky) updates in a year for critical fixes or added device support.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back