Samsung Galaxy S4 bluetooth connectivity

[JasTheAce]

hopefully with more robust capabilities in 4.3, samsung won't modify the bluetooth stack as much and it should solve some of the issues.

 

[wchettel]

You don't have the Bluetooth streaming function so the only way will be the old fashioned audio cable approach.

Or, you'll need a Bluetooth receiver. Check out the Bluetooth receivers in this post.

 

[Gunkk]

The bluetooth disconnects are a bug in the Samsung BT stack (something that has plagued Samsung for a long time). Seems to be part of the power management in the MDL baseband radio code. Very few developers on XDA mess with radios, as mistakes often result in bricked devices.

I haven't pinned it down to a specific combination of events yet. What I've seen so far: when the phone goes to sleep (screen off), it drops the connection to the car and then reconnects about 5 seconds later. If something else wakes the phone (such as email check, SMS, etc.) it will drop the connection when it goes back to sleep again.

Seems to behave better with a custom ROM with a lot of the Tmobile and Samsung bloat removed (Wicked V5.1), but it still drops occasionally. The new Google Play Services and Google Now create all kinds of issues with the phone, and removing them seemed to help reduce the wakelocks as well as calm down the bluetooth disconnects.

 

[LA Genesis]

FWIW I bought an ATT S4 about a week ago and it worked fine in the G. I had to exchange the phone for another new S4 because of an problem unrelated to the Genesis. My second S4 pairs and works perfectly too.

Perhaps Samsung fixed the issue.

 

[kcgr]

2012 R-spec with non upgraded firmware and S4 with android 4.2.2 works without issue. Seemed to take forever to connect to download the phonebook, but since then, no dropped calls.

 

[bigocciput]

I received the update on my S4 this morning. My 2009 Genesis Sedan with Tech package still disconnects the call...and reconnects. The update said that they fixed issues with the Ford Sync bluetooth...I was hoping our issue would be fixed...and just not stated.

I am curious about other's experience.

Bob

Ditto here. Still disconnects calls and reconnects after about 7 seconds. A work around would be great because I just leave my bluetooth off.

 

[NYSpur]

I have a 2010 Genesis Premium Plus. I had problems with the Nav Unit about a month ago and the dealer ordered a brand new unit direct from the factory. It has the latest and greatest map updates and I’m pretty sure the latest firmware. I’ve had a Galaxy S2 for the last two years and never had a problem, other than the phone connecting to the car when the car was turned off and not running, mentioned in other threads.
I received my new S4 today and it will not even pair. The phone finds the Genesis during the scan but then displays an error message “ Unable to communicate with Genesis” and the pairing stops. The phone had no problem working with my Motorola headset. Since it never paired, the Bluetooth Auto program is no help. Survived the day with the Motorola, but it is no substitute for the car Bluetooth.
Any help would be appreciated.

I have the same issue on S4 that I got today. Phone says it is up to date. It seems strange that some do not pair at all, some pair but have dropped calls and some have no problem. Any techs out there with an idea?

 

[NYSpur]

I have the same issue on S4 that I got today. Phone says it is up to date. It seems strange that some do not pair at all, some pair but have dropped calls and some have no problem. Any techs out there with an idea?

And the Hyundai site says the S4 is completely compatible--https://www.hyundaiusa.com/bluetooth/

 

[LA Genesis]

What version of the S4 are you guys getting? My ATT S4 works perfectly. The carriers each tweak the phones differently. I wonder if the S4 works on ATT but not the others?

 

[NYSpur]

What version of the S4 are you guys getting? My ATT S4 works perfectly. The carriers each tweak the phones differently. I wonder if the S4 works on ATT but not the others?

It would certainly explain why some people have not had an issue but others are like me. My phone is through Verizon. It would help if others could advise of their carrier.

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[JasTheAce]

I think it would be beneficial to list the following:

Genesis Year/Package (Base/Premium/Tech)/SW Version
Phone Model/Carrier/SW Version (from about phone, same menu to check for updates)

 

[NYSpur]

I think it would be beneficial to list the following:

Genesis Year/Package (Base/Premium/Tech)/SW Version
Phone Model/Carrier/SW Version (from about phone, same menu to check for updates)

2012 Premium

S4 Verizon

 

[NYSpur]

Talking to Verizon and they are noting the issue. It would obviously help if other Verizon users with the problem also advised them as that would likely move the issue forward. Maybe you could e-mail the assistant that I spoke with--- john.colebrook@verizonwireless.com?

 

[NYSpur]

Samsung "punted" when I spoke to them. No help really.

Hyundai's response was also underwhelming:

"We believe most phones with Bluetooth® technology will have some functionality with your vehicle. The service provider you use and Bluetooth® chip programming can affect the transmission between your phone and your Hyundai."

They suggested speaking to the dealer--can't say I have much confidence there.

 

[RODDGENNY]

I just emailed him about my issue as well.

Talking to Verizon and they are noting the issue. It would obviously help if other Verizon users with the problem also advised them as that would likely move the issue forward. Maybe you could e-mail the assistant that I spoke with--- john.colebrook@verizonwireless.com?

 

[NYSpur]

I just emailed him about my issue as well.

Thanks for doing that. Hopefully we will get sufficient attention to get it addressed.

 

[JasonGWhite]

As previously stated by another poster, Hyundai advertise FULL compatibility with the SGS4 on Verizon (which I recently purchased)

I recently purchased a 2010 Genesis with touch Nav and I can see the Genesis broadcast on my phone, but constantly get "failed to communicate".

As far as I'm concerned, the Genesis lists compatibility, then it should be compatible and it's up to Hyundai to troubleshoot the issue. I work for a software company and when we have compatibility issues with another software product WE work with the other software company to resolve the issue. We don't expect the customer to do it for us.

I have an appointment tomorrow to get a new key made and will discuss with them at that time.

 

[JasTheAce]

The issue isn't that simple. People with older Bluetooth phones are having absolutely no issues. This means Samsung failed to properly adhere to the Bluetooth SIG standards.

This is a well documented issue when the s3 came out, and is now there again with the s4.

It's ok, because Samsung will sell you a Bluetooth headset that works flawlessly with the s4 for $100.

The quickest way to get them to compliance is to report them to the Bluetooth SIG here:

https://www.bluetooth.org/ticketing/ticket.cfm?category_id=14

 

[JasonGWhite]

My Hyundai Dealer is troubleshooting the issue for me today, I will once they've determined the issue. The service tech has the same phone and was experiencing the same issue.

I've only had this phone a week, so it may be going back. Its inability to pair with my car means no hands free and no streaming audio, both features I am fully accustomed to and enjoy about my phone. I don't care how cool the SGS4 is, if it doesn't do what I need it to do then it's garbage.

 

[JasonGWhite]

Just got back from the dealership, they were able to get streaming audio and incoming/outgoing calls to work. They had to troubleshoot it with Hyundai Tech for a couple hours.

The only thing not working is the contacts import. They said there is no update available for the Bluetooth firmware for my 2010, but they would replace the head unit.

I'm debating over a few things:

1. Take the phone back and get an iphone 5 that I know works 100%
2. Risk the head unit replacement fixing the issue and not take the phone back.
3. Not caring about the contacts import. Even though Hyundai says "fully compatible" so somebody must have tested it successfully.