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iPhone XS Max iPhone Xs Max Bluetooth problems?

N

nalbagli

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 11, 2014
310
35
Hi, my iPhone Xs max is showing problems with the Bluetooth connectivity as it seems to have much less range than normal. Many times products I usually have no problem with such as Bluetooth headphones or speakers won't connect automatically unless they are really close to the other device, Also sometimes if my phone is in my pocket it will disconnect from the Apple Watch, and it reconnects once I take it out; finally, whenever I am on cars playing music through Bluetooth if the top half of my phone is for example covered by my legs, the stream gets interrupted, the same happens if I put it on my pocket, so I have to leave it in the cup holder close to the dashboard.

I took it to the genius bar a month ago as I don’t live in the US, and the guy ran a diagnostic on the phone and told me everything appeared to be fine so it must be a software issue, so I had to erase all from my phone and start from 0, which for me was impossible has I have lots of information on my backup. Honestly for me it makes no sense that it is related to software given the type of problems I've been getting.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

Thanks!!
 
Yes me too... Bluetooth on my XS Max is worse than 8 Plus and my 8 Plus was worse than my 6s plus. 6s Plus had amazing BT vs these later ones.

I never sent an email to Apple before the XS Max and its horrendous bluetooth connectivity in my car. Tried 6s plus again recently and its perfect, Max sucks in the car, latest iOS too....
 
Not that I can provide any useful tips, but just for reference, I've been using an iPhone 6 Plus for the last 3 years running iOS 9.3.5 and Bluetooth connectivity has been 100% reliable and flawless. I use it everyday to control smart plugs and connect to a remote voltmeter through walls in the other room. Never a problem. It can often connect to the devices from outside the house (going through more than one wall). Range is typically at least 50 ft line of sight.
 
It's interesting that others have this issue. It's been so frustrating that I have even considered selling the phone and trying something else after they didn't switch the phone for me.
 
If you are not willing to try the suggestions by the genius bar, it will be much more difficult to troubleshoot the issue. Foe reference I have no b/t connectivity issues with my max. Connects to my car, b/t headsets, airdrop etc.
 
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nalbagli said:
Hi, my iPhone Xs max is showing problems with the Bluetooth connectivity as it seems to have much less range than normal. Many times products I usually have no problem with such as Bluetooth headphones or speakers won't connect automatically unless they are really close to the other device, Also sometimes if my phone is in my pocket it will disconnect from the Apple Watch, and it reconnects once I take it out; finally, whenever I am on cars playing music through Bluetooth if the top half of my phone is for example covered by my legs, the stream gets interrupted, the same happens if I put it on my pocket, so I have to leave it in the cup holder close to the dashboard.

I took it to the genius bar a month ago as I don’t live in the US, and the guy ran a diagnostic on the phone and told me everything appeared to be fine so it must be a software issue, so I had to erase all from my phone and start from 0, which for me was impossible has I have lots of information on my backup. Honestly for me it makes no sense that it is related to software given the type of problems I've been getting.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I have 100% the exact same issues as you describe. This has been going on for months, and Apple is aware of the issue. I have been in contact with a senior advisor at Apple. Over a month ago, they had me install some profile on my iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch so they could record data and sort through it. This is a huge inconvenience as it messes with phone calls all the time when connected to a bluetooth speaker, and the Apple Watch is only connected to the phone if they are within about 5 ft of each other. I'm going to try to call Apple today to get an update. If they don't have anything, I'm going to just have to try and get a new iPhone, even if it means using Apple Care to do so. This is just unacceptable.
 
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Anyone has any updates on this issue? It's driving me crazy, how bad Bluetooth is on my phone, unfortunately Apple wouldn't fix or replace my phone when I took it, and I live outside the US so I can't take it again.

Any update would be of great help.

Thanks
 
nalbagli said:
Anyone has any updates on this issue? It's driving me crazy, how bad Bluetooth is on my phone, unfortunately Apple wouldn't fix or replace my phone when I took it, and I live outside the US so I can't take it again.

Any update would be of great help.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I responded to you in another thread, but in case you miss it, you need to make them replace your iPhone. They keep claiming its a software issue, but it isn't. After finally getting them to send me a new iPhone, Bluetooth connectivity is perfect again.
 
treimche said:
I responded to you in another thread, but in case you miss it, you need to make them replace your iPhone. They keep claiming its a software issue, but it isn't. After finally getting them to send me a new iPhone, Bluetooth connectivity is perfect again.
Click to expand...

But if they don't recognize this as a hardware issue even though I have apple care I would have to pay $50 in addition to get them replace my XS Max with this stupid Bluetooth issue.
 
Muruman said:
But if they don't recognize this as a hardware issue even though I have apple care I would have to pay $50 in addition to get them replace my XS Max with this stupid Bluetooth issue.
Click to expand...

You have to be persistent with this. If you have an Apple store close to you, make an appointment and show them what it does. I had to basically freak out on the Apple Support senior advisor I was working with in order to get them to send me a new phone. I don't regret it one bit, because the new XS Max works perfect, and Bluetooth range is outstanding.
 
nalbagli said:
Hi, my iPhone Xs max is showing problems with the Bluetooth connectivity as it seems to have much less range than normal. Many times products I usually have no problem with such as Bluetooth headphones or speakers won't connect automatically unless they are really close to the other device, Also sometimes if my phone is in my pocket it will disconnect from the Apple Watch, and it reconnects once I take it out; finally, whenever I am on cars playing music through Bluetooth if the top half of my phone is for example covered by my legs, the stream gets interrupted, the same happens if I put it on my pocket, so I have to leave it in the cup holder close to the dashboard.

I took it to the genius bar a month ago as I don’t live in the US, and the guy ran a diagnostic on the phone and told me everything appeared to be fine so it must be a software issue, so I had to erase all from my phone and start from 0, which for me was impossible has I have lots of information on my backup. Honestly for me it makes no sense that it is related to software given the type of problems I've been getting.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

Thanks!!
Click to expand...
 
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