[Horn High Aces]

I recently switched to a Pixel 5 and I'm having issues with Bluetooth streaming audio on my 2017 440xi GC.

The phone will connect and call functions work.
It shows that the phone is connected for Bluetooth audio and I'm able to select it as a media source, but there is no sound.

I tried multiple music apps and the Pixel 5 works fine with my 2013 Ford F150.

I did some research and have tried the following with no luck:

- Updated iDrive SW to the latest version
- On my phone, changed the Bluetooth AVRCP Version to 1.4, 1.5 (default), and 1.6. I restarted the phone after every change.
- On my phone, disabled Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload setting. I restarted the phone after making the change.

I would appreciate it if anyone could offer any tips or tricks to get this working!

[SuperLomi]

Try switching your audio source in iDrive, then switch back. Easiest way is push the radio button then the media button.

I’ve had a similar issue with my iPhone XR

[psyki]

I had similar problems with my Pixel 2XL, seemed like every other time I got in the car it would pair and appear to play music but no audio would come out. I had to either change sources a couple times (as mentioned) or re-pair it. It's never done this with my OnePlus 8 pro or my gf's Samsung S10.

[Horn High Aces]

Thanks so much for the responses. My issue seems to be slightly different as Bluetooth audio has not worked a single time with my Pixel 5. I tried toggling sources a few times, but to no avail.

It's weird that the call functions have worked fine the few times I've used it. And it's also weird that Bluetooth audio works fine with my other (older) vehicle.

I guess I'll retry the things I originally listed and re-pair the phone after every setting change.

[SuperLomi]

Just going to put this out there, but did you confirm the bluetooth volume level on the phone is turned up all the way? Then also try turning the car volume up just jn case.

[Horn High Aces]

Originally Posted by SuperLomi

Just going to put this out there, but did you confirm the bluetooth volume level on the phone is turned up all the way? Then also try turning the car volume up just jn case.

yep, checked that every time.

[Horn High Aces]

Still no luck getting this to work. App controls, such as skipping to the next song works with the default Bluetooth settings on my phone, but no sound even with the phone and car at max volume.

Anyone have any suggestions???

[CopyRunStart]

I have this same problem with my Pixel 3a XL, it's annoying

[Horn High Aces]

Originally Posted by CopyRunStart

I have this same problem with my Pixel 3a XL, it's annoying

Thanks for confirming it's not just me. Not really sure if there is a solution since it's an interoperability issue that I'm sure neither side will own.

Are you just using the AUX connection? I don't mind that, but it seems to disable Bluetooth calling.

[CopyRunStart]

Originally Posted by Horn High Aces

Thanks for confirming it's not just me. Not really sure if there is a solution since it's an interoperability issue that I'm sure neither side will own.

Are you just using the AUX connection? I don't mind that, but it seems to disable Bluetooth calling.

I don't use the BT a whole lot, as I usually just listen to satellite radio instead. I only use aux when my wife wants to connect her phone to the radio, so I don't run into the BT calling issue. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but you're not the only one annoyed!

[Matta]

I also have a Pixel 5. I was having no issues up until right now. I switched from one podcast to the next and Spotify/ Bluetooth went nuts and stopped working altogether.

The car is stuck "loading" bluetooth. When I click the button to turn bluetooth on and off in the car nothing happens at all.

I deleted all my data from the car hoping this would help and it didn't.

I've been looking up ways to hard reset the idrive system (I tried holding down Mode and the volume/power buttons but nothing happened)

[Carlman3]

I cannot get my e93 w/ idrive to pair my new pixel 5a at all.
The adjustments in the OP seem like things I should try, but I'm not sure where to get to those settings...

My sequence is to go through the idrive system, my phone finds the BMW12345 device, it asks for a 4-digit code, I give it 0000, then tell the idrive 0000, then it says "error cannot connect. Retry?"
Retrying is a loop of the same.

My pixel 4a paired with no issue... not sure what's different... both have the same BT version as far as I know. Thanks for any tips.

[psyki]

As I mentioned a while back I simply had inconsistent results with a few different Pixel phones. Frankly it was such a pain in the ass to constantly have to do this re-pairing dance every time I wanted to use my phone in the car (which is a LOT for me) that it was enough for me to move on from Pixel all together.

In addition I later discovered that the screen casting functionality on the NBT Evo is straight incompatible with my old Pixel 2XL. Frankly this feature is kind of gimmicky but still confirmed my decision to ditch Pixel phones.

[Carlman3]

I can't buy a new phone; I like the Pixel too much.. Apple and Samsung are inferior in every way except pairing BT with my secondary car. So, this isn't a big deal to me.. but it's annoying because I'd rather be hands free in the few instances I talk while driving this car. My old Pixel 4 is still in there.. maybe I can delete it.. we'll see. I'll play around with it more one day.

[Mooney6959]

Ok, another Pixel user here (Pixel 3), having issues connecting to my iDrive.

I have a 2015 435xi w\ NBT. My phone seemed to work fine for a while, but suddenly started having issues yesterday. I change music apps, and the system freaks out. Today it kept the previous song band/title on the screen for the next two songs.

My son has the same phone. When I would try to connect his phone to my car, it spawns a perpetual reboot of the iDrive system.

The only change recently is that I did add my wife's phone (also P3) to the system. I briefly tested her streaming and it seemed to work. I'm starting to think there's an issue when you have multiple phones added to the system, regardless if they're paired or not.

I also changed the AVRCP version to 1.4 and disabled Battery Optimization for Bluetooth and Bluetooth MIDI.

So far nothing has worked. I've had my car for 2 months, and this is only now becoming an issue.

Any additional thoughts?

[Mooney6959]

Ok, this is starting to really get annoying, as the problem seems to get worse each day.

It usually connects just fine, and even restarts the music if the streaming app is still open on my phone.

The problem comes when I change ANYTHING on the stream, either from the car or the phone. Example, if I attempt to skip a song, it'll keep the previous songs info on the screen. If I skip again, it loses audio too.
And if I attempt to change streaming apps (Sirius, Amazon, Pandora,...), forget about it. Total disconnection w\ the car.

This is becoming very annoying to me as I listen mostly to streaming apps. And I think the most annoying part is that it once worked fine, but is not acting up.

I'm even considering going to an iPhone (blasphemy in my house), just in the hopes it corrects it.

Any words of guidance are greatly appreciated.

[Bruser]

Anyone find a solution?

[Se7en43]

Solution is to upgrade to a newer Pixel with current firmware. I had the same issue until after going to a Pixel 7 and up. Have not had the problem since.