Existing users, 
Integrating the iPhone with car Bluetooth systems
Posted 3 July 2007 @ 9am in Guides/How-Tos
We previously noted that the iPhone is significantly hampered with regard to Bluetooth connectivity. Under Mac OS X, Apple’s Bluetooth File Exchange cannot send files to the iPhone and iSync cannot be used to synchronize with the iPhone. We’ve also yet to hear of a Windows utility that can perform an Bluetooth-based synchronization or exchange with the iPhone.
The iPhone can however, integrate easily with most cars’ hands-free Bluetooth systems. We’ve identified some compatible systems, and instructions for a few.
Toyota (Prius and other models) The iPhone integrates well with this system. Instructions for pairing from iPhone Atlas reader George Wilde:
- On the Prius navigation screen, press the “INFO” button
- On the resulting “Information Menu” screen touch the “Telephone” button.
- On the resulting “Telephone” screen touch the “Settings” button.
- On the resulting “Settings” screen scroll down to the bottom and touch “Add Phone” under “Bluetooth”.
- You are then presented with a screen that indicates “Begin Bluetooth discovery/search from phone” with a 4 digit pairing passkey.
- On your iPhone go to “Settings” Â and the “General” item under “Settings”. Go down to “Bluetooth and turn it on. The iPhone then becomes discoverable for a period of time.
- The iPhone should see the Hands Free system of the car and then display a 4 digit form (and keyboard) to enter the pairing passkey given by the car.
- Enter the four digits and touch “connect”.
- The car will then say it is connected and display the phone name and ID.
- The cellular signal strength is displayed on the navigation screen and the phone audio is fed through the car speakers.
Acura (TL and other models) The iPhone works with Acura’s HandsFree system as well, and instructions for set-up are similar to the aforementioned for Toyota.
iPhone Atlas reader Bill writes:
“Just yesterday I was able to hook up my iPhone with my 2006 Acura TL HandsFree system, while waiting a stop light. Anyway it works even better than my Cingular 8525 (now for sale, as you might imagine).”
Sony HandFree car kits The iPhone is also compatible with many Sony HandsFree, aftermarket car kits. If you have experienced success with one of these kits, please let us know.
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6 Comments
Posted by graps1
3 July 2007 @ 9am
Has anyone had problems using the iPhone in a new BMW with iDrive. I can get the phone paired but when I make or take a call, the audio drops in and out continually, I have heard other BMW owners having problems. Is this an apple issue or a BMW issue. Help!
G
Posted by amutti
3 July 2007 @ 10am
There seems to be problems with BMW and Audi’s as well. My 2006 330cic (BMW/Visteon ULF) pairs fine, but then disconnects when placing a call so you have to use the handset (the iphone). During the call the car keeps trying to connect, which interrupts the phone call and sounds as though you ‘breaking up’ from the perspective of the one you called. Once the call is ended the bluetooth reconnects.
Per the Apple discussion boards, some Audi owners have disconnects while talking, sometimes related to the phone ’sleeping.’
Posted by jimw3
3 July 2007 @ 3pm
My 2006 Z4 BMW pairs fine, and works fine…..so far, with just one 3 minute call.
Posted by kevinm78
6 July 2007 @ 7am
I have had easy success pairing my iphone with the HCB-30 car kit. Using the iPhone with the kit on the other hand has been much more difficult than with my old Treo 700p.
The Treo would automatically answer the phone after two rings. This meant I could leave the phone in my pocket or briefcase and not worry about having immediate access. The iPhone must be within easy reach because when it rings I need to move the slider to answer the phone, select the speaker function, then select the HCB-30 from the list of available devices (the kit being the only speaker type device available). Gone are the days of not worrying where my phone is.
On the other hand, the kit would not connect with my Treo every time. Sometimes I would need to restart the car to connect it. It could lose the connection while on my trip as well. This hasn’t happened with the iPhone. It connects immediately and stays connected.
An “auto answer” feature would be a welcome addition.
Posted by Kevinm78
21 July 2007 @ 9am
I recently posted on your web site that I could not get my iPhone to auto answer with my Sony HCB-30 car kit. I told you about all of the different steps I needed to take to answer the phone and that I could no longer keep the phone in my pocket.
I have discovered a simple fix. The iPhone will not automatically answer on a set number of rings but there is a phone icon on the small control panel of the HCB-30. When my phone rings I can simply push this button and the car kit immediately answers the phone and I am connected using the kit’s hands-free features.
There is an even more elegant solution. I also have a Dension icelink plus. If I am listening to music on my iPhone through the icelink and a call comes in, the music fades down and I hear my marimba ring though the car speakers. When I push the phone icon on my HCB-30 car kit, the kit takes over. When my conversation is finished, I push the icon again and the music ramps back up, back to where it was before the call.
A solution for easy dialing out is using AT&T’s Voice Dial. You can enter a database of numbers you would like to use with this service on their web site. Then you can simply push *8 and say the person’s name you would like to call. Accuracy seems very good.
Posted by igor25
14 October 2007 @ 2am
hi, everyone
has anyone tested nissan qashqai bluetooth system with iphone ?
if you do. please send an email to igor@igor.ee, I am not checking the iphoneatlas quite often. thanks !