Note 5: why am I unable to make calls via car Bluetooth?

[whitlam55]

Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

Hi. I've just moved from an iPhone 6 Plus to the Note 5. One of the great frustrations I have with the Samsung is being unable to make calls in my car using the car's Bluetooth system.
The phone pairs to the Bluetooth easily - but doesn't make calls.
With Samsung launcher it totally failed to do anything - no matter how many times I hit the car's phone button. The screen would light up - but that's all. In settings I had "wake up in secure mode" turned on.
I tried Google Now, it was no better. I installed BT GNow - which worked only if the phone was unlocked - pointless if you are driving as where I live it is illegal to touch or use a phone whilst driving.
No such problems with my old iPhones - pair them up and didn't have to touch any setting - they always just worked perfectly 1st time every time.
I contacted Samsung who were no help at all.
Has anyone been able to make calls from a Note 5 via car Bluetooth when the screen is locked. If so, how did you do it.
Thanks

 

[anon(632115)]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

Bluetooth on mobiles is not backwards compatible. In all probability your car's BT module needs upgrading/replacing. This is one of the bad points of android. I've read the book, seen the film and got the t-shirt on this subject

 

[Tommy Bayshore]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

What type of car do you have? You shouldnt need any launchers or any of that stuff to make the phone work with bluetooth... my Note 5 works perfect with many cars, never have had an issue...

 

[whitlam55]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

Hi. Just finished live chat with Samsung who were unable to provide any solutions at all.
I have a Holden Calais V which comes with an excellent factory Bluetooth in car system.
I can get BT GNow to work perfectly (needs Google Now installed) - just that you have to have the phone unlocked.
With stock Touch Wiz most of the time nothing happens when I hit the car's phone button - however it did briefly work after about 20 goes, it lit the phone up briefly before turning off again - didn't actually do anything.
Presumably the phone is compatible- as it works with BT GNow. It has worked with iPhone 4s, 5 and 6 Plus - flawlessly.
Got me stumped. Will try it another vehicle. Disappointing.

 

[Tommy Bayshore]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

Well, i've used numerous Samsung phones, most recently my Note 5 in probably 10 different rental cars, my BMW, my truck and friends cars and never had a problem, i know about 10 close friends with the Note 5 (and 4) that have never had a issue. I would be willing to say its some type of incompatibility with the cars bluetooth system since its not a common vehicle. Weird though, if it connects to other devices like speakers and such with no problem then even more so the issue is probably the cars bluetooth...

 

[whitlam55]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

I think it must not be compatible with Australian made cars - doesn't work in my sisters new Ford Falcon either (nor does her s6). Holden are a very common, top selling vehicle here (sold as Chevs in both the US and middle east) - so I'm guessing Samsung have changed something in their set up. Couple of years ago had a Note 2 that worked in the same car, not the Note 5. Really disappointing - if I'd known, wouldn't have got it - as all iPhones work with vehicle. Hard reset made no difference either.

 

[whitlam55]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

Well, I was totally unable to get it to work - Samsung Chat and email help weren't any help at all.
I can get a semi solution by using BT GNow and Google Voice - it works (kind of) - hit the car's phone button and ask it call someone - it will. Works every time. The only problem is that I can't get it to wake the device up and make a call. The phone has to be unlocked - which means I have to touch the phone (illegal in Western Australia whilst driving).
It shows me that the phone can work with car's Bluetooth and make calls - just can't do it with Samsung's software.
I've set SVoice to wake up in secure mode, set the car's Bluetooth as a trusted device, not sure what other settings to change. Can't find any info at all on what you need to do to make calls using the car Bluetooth- zip, nothing anywhere.
I tried a full hard reset, soft reset etc - only BT GNow and Google Voice can make calls using the car's Bluetooth - but the phone has to be unlocked and on.
Becoming a bit of a deal breaker - I need true hands free in car calling for business / work when I'm travelling around.
Either going to have to try an after market device or go back to iPhones.
I really like the Note 5, but Android just doesn't work straight out of the box like iOS does.
If anyone knows what settings I need to make it wake up and use the car Bluetooth when making a call I'd be very grateful.

 

[racedog]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

Odd, I use the cars call button regularly and it will dial and call without the phone having to be unlocked. How old is the car? Could it be a Bluetooth incompatibility because of an older Bluetooth version in the car?

 

[whitlam55]

Well, I never did the Note 5 to make phone calls (without being woken up) - I could receive calls and answer without having to wake the phone up. Bluetooth audio streamed perfectly ok. Tried it in a couple of cars (a 2012 Ford Falcon, a 2013 Holden Commodore) and same issue.
Deal breaker.
Luckily my telco let me get an iPhone 6s+ instead. Simply paired it with the car, hit the phone button in the car and made calls. That's it - worked first time every time.
Although I miss some features on the Note 5, I don''t miss Samsung's bloatware and the inability to make calls in the car. iPhone just works. No brainer - from now on sticking with the iPhones - I know they work.

 

[JohnnytheK]

Re: Note 5: unable to make calls via car Bluetooth

To late now but did you turn on "bluetooth calling" on your note 5?