5.1.1 Can't stay connected to my car bluetooth

[AC Question]

I have a GS6 with Android 5.1.1. (kernal: 3.10.31-5028597) After I got the update, I cannot stay connected to my 2014 Toyota Highlander OEM bluetooth. It worked fine until the update. I have unpaired/repaired the bluetooth, I downloaded a 3rd party app (Bluetooth Auto Connect), I took the car to Toyota to make sure my head unit had the most up to date software. It does.

Nothing works. The car will still pair with the phone, but then drop the connection and will never reconnect.

My moms phone, a Verizon GS6 with 5.0.2 works fine.

Any way to revert to 5.0.2 or fix this problem? Your thoughts would be helpful.

 

[Rukbat]

You could flash a 5.0.2 ROM, you can't "revert" to an earlier ROM because it's no longer in your phone.

Or you can put in a complaint to your Toyota dealer and ask them to pass it up the line, that their firmware no longer works with Android 5.1.1. Google comes out with updates faster than car manufacturers are used to handling (one a year is considered fast for a car - one bug fix every few months is no longer unusual for Android) - and there are changes being made to standards, so the phone has the latest version of Bluetooth and your car head unit no longer does.

 

[Robert Boden]

Hello. I have the same problem. My Samsung S6 will no longer pair with my 2015 Toyota Highlander's Bluetooth. It will initially connect. But when the car is requesting permission to access contacts and messages, the car doesn't seem to receive the signal from my phone, that the phone has Allowed permission.

I have unpaired and wiped the Bluetooth cache and app data numerous times. Just looking for any other ideas.

I have Lollipop version 5.1.1 as well. Any help would be welcome

 

[kickingcans]

I have the same problem. I have a GS6 (Kernal 3.10.61-51028597) running 5.1.1. This is my second GS6 as TMobile just sent me a new one in hopes of fixing this very problem. While it connected initially, after about 2 hours of drive time, it disconnected and would never reconnect. I have been to the Toyota dealership and gotten the newest software update for my 2014 Toyota Highlander Entune system (Model ID: 13TDDANA-EA01 Audio: 0831 Operating System: 0714). While I can get other phones running 5.1.1 to connect, I can't test to see if they stay connected. I have an appointment to (hopefully) replace the head unit, but I am not sure what other steps to try. Any suggestions?

 

[Rukbat]

Bluetooth is a pipe. What flows through the pipe, and what format it's in, isn't specified.

If the car manufacturer didn't test the head unit firmware with an S6 running 5.1.1, there's no guarantee it'll work with one. Some day, Bluetooth data formats will be specified and maybe some manufacturers will even follow the specs. Not all manufacturers follow industry specs.

(Bluetooth isn't that big a problem. At one time you couldn't text a picture to someone on a different carrier.)

 

[kickingcans]

Bluetooth is a pipe. What flows through the pipe, and what format it's in, isn't specified.

If the car manufacturer didn't test the head unit firmware with an S6 running 5.1.1, there's no guarantee it'll work with one. Some day, Bluetooth data formats will be specified and maybe some manufacturers will even follow the specs. Not all manufacturers follow industry specs.

(Bluetooth isn't that big a problem. At one time you couldn't text a picture to someone on a different carrier.)

Rukbat - I am not sure how this is helpful? What do you mean? Can you clarify?

 

[Akin Pala]

I have the same problem with my samsung gear circle. After 5.1.1. update, it connects to it but drops the connection when I move it slightly away from phone. Connects again, but then drops again. No problem with the car though. My wife's phone is 5.0 and her phone is working with the same headphones no problem.

 

[thehobler]

Same Problem with Droid Turbo and 2013 Honda CRV running 5.1. Phone works fine until I try to use "Contact Sharing". Then the intermittent disconnects start. Have to reset everything and start over from pairing. When asked to share contacts or messages I need say no to have the phone work without disconnecting. This defeats the purpose of "hands free". What's the solution? By the way the help screen on the phone has a "solution" but what it says to do does not exist on the phone. It says to check the "always allow" button, but there is no such button. Frustrating! Help?

 

[kickingcans]

Just by way of an update, after battling with the phone, Toyota, and Tmobile to find a solution, I finally broke down and bought a Iphone 6s. Connects and stays connected from day one. No problems.

Sorry to report, but I have my old Samsung Galaxy S6 sitting in a drawer.

 

[B. Diddy]

If any of you have power saving modes turned on, try turning them off and see if that makes a difference.