iPhone why aren't calls auto routed to bluetooth when connected to a bluetooth device?

airborne

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When my iPhone is connected to the car bluetooth and even my ear buds for some reason the iPhone thinks I would prefer to use the phone speakers for calls, this can be quite dangerous when in the car and I need to scramble around getting the phone to send the audio through the BT.

Is there anyway to set it so it auto routes the call audio through the connected bluetooth device like common common sense would dictate and Android has been doing since as far back as I can remember?
 
iPhones usually do this by default. Do you answer the phone by tapping on its screen or through the car \ bluetooth device? What version of iOS?
 
iPhones usually do this by default. Do you answer the phone by tapping on its screen or through the car \ bluetooth device? What version of iOS?
Latest iOS, I answer by tapping the screen, the phone is in a magnetic cradle on the dash.
Edit. I also want it to use my ear buds when they are connected, which it currently doesn't do.
 
  1. Check Bluetooth Settings:
    • Make sure that your car and earbuds are paired properly with your iPhone.
    • Go to Settings -> Bluetooth and tap on the i icon next to the name of your car or earbuds. Ensure that Sync Contacts and other relevant settings are enabled.
  2. Set Audio Routing:
    • Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch -> Call Audio Routing.
    • Select Bluetooth Headset instead of the default, which is usually Automatic.
  3. Update iOS:
    • Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version as sometimes bugs related to Bluetooth connectivity are fixed in updates.
  4. Forget and Re-pair:
    • Forget the Bluetooth connections by going to Settings -> Bluetooth, then tap on the i icon and select Forget This Device.
    • Re-pair your devices again.
  5. Reset Network Settings:
    • If all else fails, you could reset the network settings. Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings.
    • Please note that this will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings.
  6. Check for Firmware Updates for Your Car or Earbuds:
    • Sometimes, the issue might be with the firmware of your car or earbuds. Check the manufacturer's website or contact their customer support for help on updating the firmware.
  7. Contact Apple Support:
    • If the issue persists, it might be a good idea to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
 
  1. Check Bluetooth Settings:
    • Make sure that your car and earbuds are paired properly with your iPhone.
    • Go to Settings -> Bluetooth and tap on the i icon next to the name of your car or earbuds. Ensure that Sync Contacts and other relevant settings are enabled.
  2. Set Audio Routing:
    • Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch -> Call Audio Routing.
    • Select Bluetooth Headset instead of the default, which is usually Automatic.
  3. Update iOS:
    • Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version as sometimes bugs related to Bluetooth connectivity are fixed in updates.
  4. Forget and Re-pair:
    • Forget the Bluetooth connections by going to Settings -> Bluetooth, then tap on the i icon and select Forget This Device.
    • Re-pair your devices again.
  5. Reset Network Settings:
    • If all else fails, you could reset the network settings. Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings.
    • Please note that this will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings.
  6. Check for Firmware Updates for Your Car or Earbuds:
    • Sometimes, the issue might be with the firmware of your car or earbuds. Check the manufacturer's website or contact their customer support for help on updating the firmware.
  7. Contact Apple Support:
    • If the issue persists, it might be a good idea to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
I'm concerned that this may be information that may be readily on the web.

This then begs the question - why start a whole thread when you can get a solution in less than 5 minutes?
 
I'm concerned that this may be information that may be readily on the web.

This then begs the question - why start a whole thread when you can get a solution in less than 5 minutes?
Hi Karen, you perhaps need to concern yourself with things that are actually concerning.
 
  1. Check Bluetooth Settings:
    • Make sure that your car and earbuds are paired properly with your iPhone.
    • Go to Settings -> Bluetooth and tap on the i icon next to the name of your car or earbuds. Ensure that Sync Contacts and other relevant settings are enabled.
  2. Set Audio Routing:
    • Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch -> Call Audio Routing.
    • Select Bluetooth Headset instead of the default, which is usually Automatic.
  3. Update iOS:
    • Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version as sometimes bugs related to Bluetooth connectivity are fixed in updates.
  4. Forget and Re-pair:
    • Forget the Bluetooth connections by going to Settings -> Bluetooth, then tap on the i icon and select Forget This Device.
    • Re-pair your devices again.
  5. Reset Network Settings:
    • If all else fails, you could reset the network settings. Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings.
    • Please note that this will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings.
  6. Check for Firmware Updates for Your Car or Earbuds:
    • Sometimes, the issue might be with the firmware of your car or earbuds. Check the manufacturer's website or contact their customer support for help on updating the firmware.
  7. Contact Apple Support:
    • If the issue persists, it might be a good idea to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
I'm assuming that is what needs to be set?
Why would Apple see the need to hide the setting in Accessibility and why would calls not auto get routed via the connected BT device in the first place?
It's rather peculiar
 
Set Audio Routing:
  • Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Touch -> Call Audio Routing.
  • Select Bluetooth Headset instead of the default, which is usually Automatic.
If this works, it's going to save me pulling my hair out and probably the most useful pice of info I've got here. I'm in front of the PC and don't see option - but I suspect I need to be in the car & connected to see the option? I'm in the same boar where I had Androids and the default is whatever audio device is connected, which makes more sense to me
 
I'm assuming that is what needs to be set?
Why would Apple see the need to hide the setting in Accessibility and why would calls not auto get routed via the connected BT device in the first place?
It's rather peculiar

Probably because you are using a lesser Bluetooth device that doesn’t advertise itself as being available for phone calls.

Hence the need to force it.

And as above if you answer on the phone it expects you want it there…so use the end device you want it on instead.

This doesn’t happen with CarPlay or AirPods FYI, only third party tools.
 
If this works, it's going to save me pulling my hair out and probably the most useful pice of info I've got here. I'm in front of the PC and don't see option - but I suspect I need to be in the car & connected to see the option?
Have you also been caught by this?
Just use the search bar in Settings and type "rout", it's the first option that comes up.
The first few times I thought I had maybe pressed the wrong button when answering calls and I couldn't understand what the heck was going on.
 
100%

And set to Bluetooth headset now - so I'll give it a go over the weekend .

But wondering what automatic is then ?
Obviously you need a set of Apple Airpod Max for that feature :sneaky:
 
Obviously you need a set of Apple Airpod Max for that feature :sneaky:

I’m guessing automatic applies in the case where the Bluetooth device is advertised as a vehicle, or it possibly is linked to your phone going into Driving Focus.

Or using AirPods, or other Airpod-based tech yes.
 
Knowing Apple, it's contextual. Automatic probably just means if you answer or initiate calls using the phone directly, then the call will play through the phone, if you answer or initiate it using a connected device bluetooth device then it will play through that.
 
Knowing Apple, it's contextual. Automatic probably just means if you answer or initiate calls using the phone directly, then the call will play through the phone, if you answer or initiate it using a connected device bluetooth device then it will play through that.
That would make more sense, I just wonder why they hide the setting in Accessibility and not in the main Bluetooth settings, or have an option for each Bluetooth device.

Either way I'm glad I could sort this out thanks for the info in your earlier post.
 
Pretty sure it's device dependant, but it makes sense. The converse would be answering your phone and having it blasted through the bluetooth speaker at a party or something. Not excellent.
 
Latest iOS, I answer by tapping the screen, the phone is in a magnetic cradle on the dash.
Edit. I also want it to use my ear buds when they are connected, which it currently doesn't do.

This is the issue. Once you answer on the phone screen the call Audio remains on the phone.

Not sure about the earbuds though!
 
Pretty sure it's device dependant, but it makes sense. The converse would be answering your phone and having it blasted through the bluetooth speaker at a party or something. Not excellent.

Which is exactly how you spot the Android users.

All their notifications go through to the Bluetooth speaker at every party.
 
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