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Bluetooth, iPhone, calls & text messages

11014 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  14v6
So I finally had time to sit in my Passport today and try setting up the Bluetooth and my iPhone.
I can get it set up, however, it will not allow me to make calls or respond to text messages unless I’m plugged in via the USB cable. Is this correct or am I still missing a step or two?
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Sorry, not an iPhone user but that doesn't seem right to me. I have an Android device and rarely plug-in via USB and I'm able to make calls, receive/send texts, etc without being plugged in.

I know there is typically a setting for bluetooth audio vs bluetooth audio-and-phone, so perhaps you only have the prior enabled. If you don't recall making a selection to only enable audio then sometimes this occurs when the bluetooth protocol doesn't fully sync with the vehicle entirely when connected. You might need to disable bluetooth on your phone and then enable it again. That usually fixes it for me (most of my experience was with my last vehicle but bluetooth problems can occur with any vehicle).

Hopefully that helps, someone with an iPhone chimes in or better yet, you decide to upgrade to an Android :p
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If you are trying to use your iPhone VIA CarPlay, it must be plugged into the USB port. If you just want to answer/make calls. you should be able to just use the talk button on the steering wheel (press and hold until Siri comes up) then make your call. Answer calls with the steering wheel button. I always plug my iPhone XR in because it keeps the battery charged, but on occasion I have just set it in the cupholder and it works using bluetooth. The only way you can read/reply to texts is by using Siri.
Plug it in Heather, and everything works fine and you are charging your phone..!
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Sorry, not an iPhone user but that doesn't seem right to me. I have an Android device and rarely plug-in via USB and I'm able to make calls, receive/send texts, etc without being plugged in.

I know there is typically a setting for bluetooth audio vs bluetooth audio-and-phone, so perhaps you only have the prior enabled. If you don't recall making a selection to only enable audio then sometimes this occurs when the bluetooth protocol doesn't fully sync with the vehicle entirely when connected. You might need to disable bluetooth on your phone and then enable it again. That usually fixes it for me (most of my experience was with my last vehicle but bluetooth problems can occur with any vehicle).

Hopefully that helps, someone with an iPhone chimes in or better yet, you decide to upgrade to an Android :p
Plug it in Heather, and everything works fine and you are charging your phone..!
Yeah - that’s what I’ve beeb doing. However, on my long road trips, keeping my iPhone plugged in gets hot and it can’t be good for the phone battery?

On my way to wash the road trip off and hotel sprinkler overspray at the car wash - will do some further investigating!
I'm no apple expert, but I believe they have a auto-stop in the charging circuitry to prevent overcharging...
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I ALWAYS leave my iPhone plugged into the USB port while driving. Even on a recent 7-hour trip from NY to MD.

It's designed to be used this way. The user experience with CarPlay is way better than bluetooth. I recommend leaving it plugged in. I don't even have my phone paired to my car via bluetooth.
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Thanks guys. I tried the blue tooth again today and will just stick to plugging in my phone via the USB cable!
I guess I’m having a bit of a different issue but I’m sure there’s some setting that I’m missing when my phone is connected via Bluetooth to my Honda passport unless I actually have Bluetooth selected on as in music playing from my phone via Bluetooth I don’t hear any alerts like text messages or emails or anything from my phone meaning if I have the FM mode active listening to the radio I don’t hear any alerts for anything on my phone
I guess I’m having a bit of a different issue but I’m sure there’s some setting that I’m missing when my phone is connected via Bluetooth to my Honda passport unless I actually have Bluetooth selected on as in music playing from my phone via Bluetooth I don’t hear any alerts like text messages or emails or anything from my phone meaning if I have the FM mode active listening to the radio I don’t hear any alerts for anything on my phone
Chrisf, try this and see if it helps. On your iPhone - settings>bluetooth, then tap the little circled i on the right of the HandsFree Link (or what your vehicle is listed as). Make sure "Show Notifications" is turned on. That worked for me.
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Does anyone else have a problem with being on a call and another comes in and you are switching to the new call and the new call drops from the car goes to the hand held phone? I've tried every combination of the buttons thinking I must be doing something wrong.
I have not ever had that problem, but then again, I usually drive while in the PP and don't talk on the phone that much. Just can't bring myself to blabber on the phone with someone while trying to drive in traffic. I figure if it is important, they will call back or leave a voice mail that I can listen to while parked or out of the vehicle. That's just me though, an old white guy and retired pilot. :eek:
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Chrisf, try this and see if it helps. On your iPhone - settings>bluetooth, then tap the little circled i on the right of the HandsFree Link (or what your vehicle is listed as). Make sure "Show Notifications" is turned on. That worked for me.
Thank you, thank you thank you. Works good enough now.
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