Bluetooth Connection Keeps Cutting Out

[Prudvi_12]

Anyone else having an issue with there Bluetooth or usb connection keep cutting out. I have a 2016 bmw m3. Every time I connect my phone with Bluetooth the song plays and cuts out after 1-3 minutes and the same happens for the usb connection. This issue happened back in may but I have been driving the car much so it wasn't a big deal but now it's becoming ridiculous. BMW said everything with the car is fine and Apple said everything with my phone is fine. Anyone else have this issue and know how to fix it?

[Darkmann]

I have a similar problem and am looking a solutions. I have an iPhone 7P and Apple Car Play on both my M3 and X5 M-Sport. I also have SiriusXM on both vehicles. On both vehicles, every so often, the phone will open up CarPlay and when it does that it disconnects me completely from SiriusXM. On a 1-hr drive, it can do this up to 10 times - so annoying that I'm not using radio much anymore. I am wondering if it's the iOS version - I'm at 14.2 now, but it did it in 14.1 also. I am planning to call BMW to see if they have a solution.

[rmizzle101]

This happens to me as well. 2016 m4... happened on every iPhone I've had, even with the newest one. Convinced this is a BMW issue — I've also sent to dealership and they claim nothing is wrong.

It's very frustrating & annoying. Would love to know if anybody finds a solution.

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by rmizzle101

This happens to me as well. 2016 m4... happened on every iPhone I've had, even with the newest one. Convinced this is a BMW issue — I've also sent to dealership and they claim nothing is wrong.

It's very frustrating & annoying. Would love to know if anybody finds a solution.

Yeah I think it's definitely an issue with Bmw because I went to apple and they gave me a replacement phone and the issue keeps on happening, the only option I'm left at this point is just to upgrade my idrive or to get the car play module.

[ONEof500]

Mine cuts out during music and plays through the cars hands free speaker for a few seconds and then goes back to the regular speakers. Only happens when I start driving and then does not come back until next time I drive.

[rmizzle101]

Originally Posted by Prudvi_12

Yeah I think it's definitely an issue with Bmw because I went to apple and they gave me a replacement phone and the issue keeps on happening, the only option I'm left at this point is just to upgrade my idrive or to get the car play module.

How do you update the idrive?

[duky]

Have this issue but I'm pretty sure it's an Apple change as it started around the time I moved to iOS 14. Didn't happen before. I thought getting a new phone would solve it but it still happens on my iPhone 12 (set up as new). Very unpredictable when it cuts out and whether/how to get it back

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by rmizzle101

How do you update the idrive?

There are a few company's that do it. Retrofitmybeamer on Instagram does it, you have to replace your head unit and it's pretty expensive($1200). Still debating on if I should get that or just a apple play car module.

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by duky

Have this issue but I'm pretty sure it's an Apple change as it started around the time I moved to iOS 14. Didn't happen before. I thought getting a new phone would solve it but it still happens on my iPhone 12 (set up as new). Very unpredictable when it cuts out and whether/how to get it back

This is annoying, I wish bmw just updated their idrive so it was perfectly compatible with iOS 14. Also do you use Apple Music and it happens to you or another streaming service?

[duky]

Originally Posted by Prudvi_12

This is annoying, I wish bmw just updated their idrive so it was perfectly compatible with iOS 14. Also do you use Apple Music and it happens to you or another streaming service?

I don't use streaming it is all on the device played through apples music app. Disabling Bluetooth then re-enabling it on the phone seems to be the way to get it back when it stops

[Encanto]

Originally Posted by Prudvi_12

This is annoying, I wish bmw just updated their idrive so it was perfectly compatible with iOS 14. Also do you use Apple Music and it happens to you or another streaming service?

Have you deleted the phone from the car, the car from the phone, and re-paired?

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by Encanto

Have you deleted the phone from the car, the car from the phone, and re-paired?

Yeah a few times, after I got the new phone from apple and repaired that the problem happens a little less frequently, like maybe every 2-3 songs

[M's ///M]

Do you have any other devices connected via Bluetooth, or simply paired to your phone when you run into this issue?

If you do, try completely removing all other paired devices (forget this device) and test with just the iDrive. If it works, begin pairing your other devices one by one and retesting after each device.

In my case, it would only begin failing after I paired this one particular device and thankfully it was a device I no longer used much so problem solved in my case.

Mo

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by duky

I don't use streaming it is all on the device played through apples music app. Disabling Bluetooth then re-enabling it on the phone seems to be the way to get it back when it stops

I've been doing that but it usually just disconnects after a few songs again

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by M's ///M

Do you have any other devices connected via Bluetooth, or simply paired to your phone when you run into this issue?

If you do, try completely removing all other paired devices (forget this device) and test with just the iDrive. If it works, begin pairing your other devices one by one and retesting after each device.

In my case, it would only begin failing after I paired this one particular device and thankfully it was a device I no longer used much so problem solved in my case.

Mo

I only have my phone paired currently, I'm gonna try it with a few different phone to see maybe if it's just my phone

[hC1001]

Have you guys tried updating the Idrive software? There are updates specific to connectivity issues. https://www.bmw.com/en/footer/software-updates.html

[simons22]

Have you guys tried updating the Idrive software? There are updates specific to connectivity issues. look herel

already installed it
works like a charm

[Darkmann]

So I have been trying to find a pattern. Only thing I was able to duplicate is when my ESCORT RL 360c radar detector (RD) pairs with BlueTooth. The first time it paired, the system shut down SiriusXM but CarPlay stayed on the screen,..., just staring at me! When I tried again, CarPlay would pop-up and stay on screen, but SiriusXM would be playing in background. I unpaired my RD just before Thanksgiving and I haven't had the problem in either the X5 or the M3. I didn't think this was an iOS version thing, but I'm beginning to think it's more iOS version related than a BMW system issue.

[duky]

Originally Posted by hC1001

Have you guys tried updating the Idrive software? There are updates specific to connectivity issues. https://www.bmw.com/en/footer/software-updates.html

Says my car is up to date

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by Darkmann

So I have been trying to find a pattern. Only thing I was able to duplicate is when my ESCORT RL 360c radar detector (RD) pairs with BlueTooth. The first time it paired, the system shut down SiriusXM but CarPlay stayed on the screen,..., just staring at me! When I tried again, CarPlay would pop-up and stay on screen, but SiriusXM would be playing in background. I unpaired my RD just before Thanksgiving and I haven't had the problem in either the X5 or the M3. I didn't think this was an iOS version thing, but I'm beginning to think it's more iOS version related than a BMW system issue.

That's very strange, does this happen often or did it only have the two times?

[Prudvi_12]

Originally Posted by simons22

already installed it
works like a charm

I tried and I believe it helped a bit bc it disconnects less often but still happens

[Darkmann]

Originally Posted by Prudvi_12

That's very strange, does this happen often or did it only have the two times?

Strange, yes. No, I have not done the update - will perform on both vehicles this week.

I run SiriusXM most of the time. I noticed the issue a few weeks back. First, CarPlay would pop-up momentarily on screen and disappear. SiriusXM would continue in background. Sometime within past month, CarPlay would pop up, but then it would kick me out of SiriusXM. Sometimes my phone would just be on the charger and this would happen. Most times, my wife would be using phone and this would happen. Annoying was that on a 1-hr drive, it can do this up to 10 times - so annoying that would just turn off the radio. It happens on both my MY17 X5 and MY18 M3. On both vehicles, I run the ESCORT RL 360c or an iXc, both Bluetooth capable radar detectors.