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Bluetooth audio echo afflicts iPhone 3G

Bluetooth audio echo afflicts iPhone 3G

Ben Wilson
2 min read

Several iPhone 3G owners are reporting an issue in which severe echoes are generated through car audio systems with which the phones are paired. Generally, the driver hears echoes while the call recipient does not. The issue affects iPhone 3G models running iPhone OS 2.0, but not first-generation iPhones running the same. An Apple Discussions thread chronicling the issue includes the following laments, among others:

  • "Yesterday I bought an iPhone 3G. I can still pair it with my car, but now all of my conversations have a terrible echo. It's impossible to talk to anyone - we both hear a delayed echo of my voice."
  • "I'm also having this problem with my 3G iPhone. As a BMW Center Employee I can tell the problem seems to be widespread as I've paired my phone with both a new 3 series and a 6 series. "
  • "I have a 2008 Nissan Altima with built-in Bluetooth. I have the same echo issue. My 3G iPhone has a very bad echo only when I talk. "

The following cars are among the models affected by this issue:

  • Various BMWs
  • Infiniti G35
  • Infiniti G37S
  • 2008 Nissan Rogue
  • 2008 Nissan Altima
  • 2008 Toyota Tundra
  • 2007 Prius
  • Ford Focus with Microsoft Sync

Some users have found that they can eliminate the echo by transferring the call to the phone, then back to the car.

Other users have found that turning off 3G networking resolves the issue. To do this, navigate to Settings > General > Network and slide "Enable 3G" to "Off."

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.