BMW Bluetooth audio issues, such as random disconnects are affecting many users, making it difficult or impossible to stream audio (music) or to make phone calls.
The good news is, you are not alone. The bad news is, there is no fix other than buying a car that has Apple CarPlay — and even that is not always a solution.
BMW makes great cars, but they often fail miserably in the technology and infotainment area. I would argue that BMW’s downhill trend started around the time Apple…
Uggh we are having the same problem. we just switched from the iphone 10 to the 12. They wont sinc up in either our 2017 4 series or our 2016 X3 the 10's were no problem. But the iphone 12 and our cars are becoming a nightmare. If I get a ticket being on my phone speaker on of course. I am sending the bill to BMW. time to go back to Mercedes
I recently got my 420i (G22) 2021 I’ve noticed that when my cars WiFi is on I don’t receive any messages on my phone and can’t use my phones internet so I’ve had to turn the WiFi off in the car. Then the latest issue is that my iPhone 12 max pro, audio has stopped working through Bluetooth Handsfree when I’m on the phone. I have to switch to my phone speaker, so frustrating. Great video though thank you.
During a voice call with iPhone X and BMW 320D 2010, the other side can’t hear me at all, but this was working, and voice recognition works in my car, so not the microphne issue. 🙁 Thanks for sharing this, now I know that I’m not alone.
I have the same issue with my BMW X5 (2016 Model). Recently on my iphone 12 Pro when i am playing music on Apple Music it disconnects from the bluetooth and reconnects on its own sometimes a few seconds later or minutes later. When it does eventually reconnect i dont have control of selecting different music. It really is extremely frustrating. I really wish there was a software upgrade for this which would solve this issue once and for all!
My husband and I have an Iphone 8 plus and a 2017 BMW X3. We are constantly having issues with blue tooth and also having both phones paired. Now I know, when I am in the car, I cannot hear my phone in any way- no phone calls, texts, YouTube etc. I can talk to Siri, but I can’t hear Siri back in order to respond properly when using that feature. Thought we were crazy until we saw your video. Good thing also to know from your video, that a software upgrade won’t help. Doesn’t every single person’s have this issue??
Really frustrating! $80k for a 2021 BMW that I can't get Carplay to work properly on. BMW points the finger at Apple and Apple won't reply period. My problem is that I am often dropping the bluetooth connection, which causes Carplay to disappear from my car altogether. If I'm driving in an area where I am relying on a map to get me where it can really be dangerous, as I have to quickly fumble for my phone. After the drop the directions are still on my phone, but I have to try and navigate by looking at my phone while I drive instead of focusing on the road. Every now and then the bluetooth will be restored automagically, and Carplay will come back without me having to do anything. That doesn't always happen, and, when it does, it often can take over a minute to restore. This is really disappointing. I think I will go back to Lexus. I love the BMW ride but not at this price.
Thanks. Owner of 2015 328i here. It’s happening to me now…
I have a 2017 440i convertible purchased as approved BMW car Sept 2020 and all working fine until a week ago and just can't get the bluetooth working again via my iphone11. Soooo irritating along with other issues – seatbelts not working and clicking rattle in Roof lid behind back passenger seat. Grrrr still on warranty so will take it back again. I've driven BMWs for some 35 years and never had these sort of orb lens before.
90% of the time it plays music fine. 10% it won’t connect via Bluetooth. All of the time, it screws up album covers and even artist names. It also often “forgets” which song it was on and starts playing a random song that begins with A (not even the first song, so it’s not alphabetical). Right now, it’s refusing to connect and I have to just wait for it to reset itself which can take hours or days. I’m not sure what drugs my 2016 BMW 4 is on, but I miss my Ford Lol.
I own a 4 Series Convertible 2017, I started having this problem in 2019, i told them about this and they told me it needs a update witch i did. but the problem didnt stop and they want me to pay to get a diagnostic witch they could of done while the car was under warranty. then i was told its my iphone XS Max update is not compatible, witch is B.S because it’s been happening since 2019 and it was not the same IOS Update!!! NEVER GET A BMW, WORST SERVICE EVER!
I have a 2013 BMW X1 and Iphone11pro max. I am unable to listen to music or hear navigation directions via blue tooth or hard wired. I can still answer/make calls. I can plug another Iphone and it will read it and play music without having to pair. I have tried rebooting idrive, forgetting device and re-pairing. BMW says i do not need an update. I don't know what else to do. Thank you for this post and trying to help.
Suddenly bluetooth menu to add and manage phones has become unavailable (BMW 5 F11). Can't add or swap phones connection. No idea what to do when i next change phone… Probably change car too, and try not to reward BMW for their lack of in life support by buying another brand.
Just got Latest LG Wing – and this problem cropped up in my 550i. As your video pointed out – I went to all the trouble of downloading the latest update to the car; and finally plugged the USB in and it says "same version". So the update I did over two years ago has not been improved since. I'm beyond pissed – a $90k car that can't work on Bluetooth right.
My 2011 bmw 328ixdrive when playing music from the phone cuts off 45 – 75 second
I just bought a BMW X2 and CANNOT get my Iphone 11 to connect to the blue tooth no matter what Ive tried! I can get phone calls but thats it! Its very frustrating. I am calling dealer tomorrow.
I never buy bmw because I know it has lot of problem. Hahaha
I just bought a 128 with idrive and I can’t get it to pair with my iPhone 12 Pro Max.
I got a iphone xs yesterday and when im trying to connect it via the armrest usb port the battery symbol starts flickering when plugged in and i get no connection 😔
Same issue iPhone 7 with bmw 2012 and 2017 (320)
Get to the point sir…
Edit:Point is BMW sucks
Guys please help!
My bluetooth was working fine, but then one day when I wanted to add a new device it would not show the bmw identification number, then I pressed the add new device several times and the identification number showed for a split second and then disappeared. (It glitched) When I pressed it one more it did not show the id number for bluetooth. From then I can not find the solution, so please if you had this problem help!!
i have f10 model iPhone connection is ok but no music sound and in cd/multimedia option no aux aur external device option. Can someone help me please
So all of a sudden my phone won’t show the name of the person texting me. It shows the text message and the number but not the name all though it shows the name of the person in the contact list. Anyone know how to fix this. I didn’t change anything and it used to work before. Even more odd if that same person texting actually calls me their name and picture display but not their name if they send a text it’s just their phone number which is useless unless I know every persons number my memory. Any help?
ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION – weird as it may be …
2008 BMW 550i
When I updated to iOS 14.01 I lost bluetooth connectivity in this car. ( tried everything – like even removing battery, etc. )
– Then My front driver-side xenon light went out;
– I removed ENTIRE light assembly;
– turned car on so it could recognize that all sorts of sh!t was missing and throw ODB codes.
– left it out for several days awaiting new bulb delivery ( she was a garage-queen for a week lol )
– I updated to iOS 14.2
– I installed new light bulb
– started car AND IT HAD LOST IT'S TIME – had to reset clock – hint hint
The car then asked me to set a pairing key code ( you know like 1234 or whatever we humans like to type in ) and it then successfully paired.
I don't know if this will help – but for what it's worth, here are my details. I don't know if it was merely the iOS 14.2 update or the onboard computer actually 'waking up' that did the trick. Who knows.
( I do not check this site, so will not see future questions )
Literally have bmw 535i 2016 and my Bluetooth always turns off and I have to turn off Bluetooth and turn back on. And then it still ends up cutting off in a couple of minutes or so. Some days it’s good. But most days it’s not… just went to know what to do. I have an iPhone 8plus as well
We have a 2013 X3 and my iPhone XR paired with it no problem. I bought a 12 Pro and cannot get a passkey to generate. Any other tips? Thank you!
Got stock on same problem.. cyber_kor on Instagram did it for me. He is the best and very reliable….
Phone can charge when plug in USB port, but music couldn't work ( it was working good previously), the screen shows " Not Connected", even Pendrive also the same situation, any suggestions please?
I've been driving an X3 for almost 3 years and suddenly a week ago my blue tooth stopped working for music and podcasts. In the past I would often have to switch from iphone to radio and back again to get the connection started. Now it seems to have stopped all together. I even tried just using the aux cord to no avail. It's shows the name of the song or podcast on the screen like it's connected, but nothing comes through the speakers. I came across your vlog, and while I am glad to know it's not just me, I'm saddened to learn that issue is not likely to be resolved any time soon. Thanks.
I dont have carplay have oem to Play on bluetooth, i have 2012 E90 i can play iPhone XS it works fine can play music can read text message, only i cant read my emails because must be iOS 5 or iOS 6 i have IOS 13, with Android phone shows me the email be latest phone dont allowed you get emails only old version works, its the fault from bmw Engineering.
Wow, a friend of mine just asked me to help fix her BT audio issue with her 2014 BMW and iPhone. I thought she was crazy, apparently not. I have no issues with my Samsung and 2015 BMW 😀
Echo the sentiments that it’s good to know I am not alone. I never used to have a problem with either Bluetooth connectivity or tethered connectivity on my BMW i3. However, since I got a new iPhone SE a few months ago, I am now getting the music disconnection issue when tethered via the USB port. The Bluetooth works fine but if I play anything using the usb cable the connection is regularly interrupted as if the cable was faulty. However, I have troubleshot the cable and it isn’t the issue. Moreover I have tethered an older iPhone 7 and it plays music without dropping the connection. I am therefore minded that this is an issue with my new iPhone SE. Any advice welcome.
came here for a solution… waste of time
I have a 2015 228xi and have an iPhone 11 and this just started happening today!
Experiencing this as well. Wow
I have the same problem in my 2015 428i gran coupe. I used to have an Android Samsung s9 and had no issues at all. Once I switched over to iPhone I’ve had nothing but issues with the Bluetooth connection since. This also happens in the 2015 M4 with my iPhone
Same issue on my 1er 2013. My XR doesn't work. Now I'm using an old iPod… damn BMW. It's a 32k€ car and after 5 years your phone it's useless?????