Stopping Bluetooth "autoplay" of music on 2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i and iPhone 6
This post summarizes a problem I am having with connecting my iPhone to my brand new Subaru Outback and all the various attempts at solving the problem and the results. Some were trial and error, others stemmed from web research.
Note, that many of the attempted solutions are recommended solutions to resolve problems when you can't get your iPhone to connect correctly. As you'll soon read, my problem isn't about not being able to connect, per se. Feel free to attempt any of these to solve other Bluetooth connectivity problems between an iPhone and your Subaru.
I have an iPhone 6, with iOS recently upgraded from 9.2 to 9.2.1. My problem, described below, exists on both iOS versions.
On 1/18/16, I bought a 2016 Outback 2.5i with essentially, all of the bells and whistles you can buy. I have had no problem pairing my iPhone via Bluetooth to the Subaru Starlink multimedia system. I can make and receive calls and text messages without any problems. I can press and hold the talk switch on my steering wheel to launch Siri without any problem (although I don't like it when Siri tells me a certain command isn't allowed because she's driving!). I can select and play music via hands free or via the controls on my steering wheel and on the multimedia touch display.
So, what's the problem? My phone is too connected to my car!
Every time my phone connects with the car via Bluetooth, such as when I start the car, Apple Music starts playing, even though the Apple Music app is not loaded and I don't want to listen to music at that particular moment. I then pause the music via my car touch screen or on my phone. If that was the only issue, that would just be slightly annoying. Unfortunately, if I get a text, the message appears on my screen, and music on my phone starts again! If I use Siri, music starts up again! Realize, that the music app is shut down, i.e., I killed the app. When I get a phone call, after the call is complete, the music starts playing! Just to make things worse, if I'm listening to the radio, and I use Siri/get a call/receive a text, my Apple Music starts playing!!! I can't get it to stop!
Here is a typical scenario that happened 3 days ago. I start my car and music begins. I pause the music. I back out of my spot and I get a text and music begins again. I pause the music. Within 1 block, I get a call asking when I'm going to get home. I answer with a quick response and hang up. Music begins playing again. I pause the music. I launch Siri to dictate a reply to the text. When Siri finishes, music starts again. I pause the music. I turn on XM radio to listen to financial news show I like to hear during drive time. I get a text. Apple Music starts playing, not XM radio. All of this happens within 5 minutes of getting into the car. OMG!
I have scoured the internet for answers. What I've learned is that this only happens with iPhones, not with any Androids. Every forum I've checked out makes that statement. I confirmed it using my son's Samsung S4. Here is what I've tried to do to fix the problem without any success.
1. I have unpaired the device, "forgotten" "Subaru BT" from the phone and removed the iPhone from the Subaru, then restarted the phone and the car, then repaired them, and the problem still exists.
2. I have reset network settings on the iPhone and tried it all over again. Problem still exists.
3. I have erased all settings on my iPhone, restarted the car, repaired, etc. Problem still exists.
4. I have turned off Apple Music (settings, Music, show apple music is set to off). My music app starts playing music that is downloaded to my phone.
5. I have changed "call audio routing" in settings, accessibility, from automatic to Bluetooth headset. The problem still exists.
6. I have turned off background app refresh and the problem still exists.
7. I have turned on restrictions and turned off Apple Music Connect (yes, I realize that is about connecting with Artists, not cars), and the problem still exists.
8. I have turned of "handoff" (settings, general, "Handoff & Suggested Apps, Handoff) and the problem still exists.
9. I have turned off "show notifications" and "sync contacts" under the Bluetooth settings for the Subaru BT device and the problem still exists.
10. I have turned on manual "Do not disturb" and the problem still exists.
11. I have turned off iPod auto play via USB in the audio settings of the Subaru, and the problem still exists.
12. I upgraded from 9.2 to 9.2.1, repeated everything above and the problem still exists.
13. I read several posts that claimed I should be happy that my car plays music automatically and they couldn't understand why I would want ever have periods of silence. I pulled all of my hair out.
14. I deleted all music off my phone, turned off Apple Music and iTunes match, and I now have no music. Period! Uggh!!!!
I think there were other things that I tried, but can't remember exactly, but nothing has worked. As you can imagine, I've easily invested over 20 hours on this and I'm very, very frustrated. I have a 65 mile commute each way, 5 days a week. I spend a lot of time in the car. I use Siri to dictate messages and reminders. I take calls. I listen to music on my phone, XM radio, and FM Radio. I also just drive in silence to prepare for the day.
I don't know what to do. I have scoured every manual and every setting on the Subaru and can't find anything. Obviously, Subaru makes great cars, but probably hasn't quite figured out the consumer software arena yet.
Now for an opinion on the nature of the problem.
I believe that similar symptoms happen with other car makes and models and isn't limited to Subaru; however, most of the scenarios I've found mentioned on the internet are with older versions where the Bluetooth implementation was a bit primitive. I have found multiple reports that this issue has existed as far back as iOS 8.x, but I didn't do a thorough search on the full history.
While I think Apple should include a setting to allow verification that auto play should be allowed or not, I'm not sure exactly how that would work. How would the protocol negotiation between the Subaru and the iPhone identify when a valid request for music is coming from the Subaru versus one that just happens without being requested by me, the user?
I think the problem is a Subaru problem. I have phone that has been in the market for 1 year with current software. The Subaru is brand new. I have yet to find an iPhone user who doesn't have this problem with 2015/2016 Subaru; however, I know that people don't go to support forums to claim that they don't have a problem, so I really don't have any facts about whether or not just a few of us have the problem or everyone has the problem.
Next step is to go back to the dealer next week, although I can't imagine how a local Subaru car mechanic is going to fix a software issue with the multimedia system. But I am looking for a nice surprise.
So, do any other iPhone users have this problem or not? Any iPhone users not experience this problem?
Lastly, no need for any Android users to jump in and pontificate about the wonders of Android phones and the shortcomings of iPhones. Not helpful.:wink2: