Bluetooth issues on iPhone 17 Pro Max running iOS 26

Updating to 26.1 fixed my blue tooth issues.

Give the following a try:

1 -Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

2 - How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support 

I have the same problem. Bluetooth isn't working on my new iPhone 17 pro. BT is enabled and I tried the forced restart and the reinitialize BT and wifi methods.

I upgraded from an iphone 14 pro. Before I transferred everything from the 14 I upgraded the OS on both phones to 26.0.1. I got my new 17 working with wifi and esim but it will not pair with any bluetooth devices. I then setup my old 14 for my wife and got it working. I took the 14 and tried to BT pair it and it now it won't pair. The 14 paired fine before I updated the OS. Next I was able to successfully airdrop between the 2 phones. Evidently airdrop uses BT to discover nearby phones so that indicates that the BT electronics on both phones is working. That means the problem is most likely IOS 26.0.1.

This is what fixed the bluetooth disconnect issue on my iphone 17 pro max running 26.1:

1. deleted a VPN app from my phone (I actually forgot I had one) and turned off vpn
2. started a chat w/support, went through the usual troubleshooting, they escalated to the next group and gave me a case # and tel #
3. The next group ran diagnostics on my phone remotely.
4. I was mysteriously able to connect to my 3rd party devices after this.

Yeah, I’ve realized that whenever Apple rolls out a new iOS version, the first few months are usually super glitchy. It’s honestly not worth installing it right away. I usually wait for 2–3 months after the release — Apple has a bit of a reputation for pushing out buggy early builds before things finally stabilize.

For those following this thread, 26.1 update fixed the car Bluetooth issue for me!

Did the restart work for anyone? It’s a nuisance to do this if it doesn’t result in a fix

I have been having same Bluetooth connect problem with iPhone 17 Pro. Keeps dropping connection to my Naviplus aftermarket head unit to provide CarPlay to my Mercedes. CarPlay app like Maps will suddenly disappear from the car screen and show up on my phone, and then some random time later, like 1/2 hour, it will suddenly switch back. It was working great with my iPhone 16 Pro.

Also getting random drops with multiple different sets of AirPod Pros which were also working fine with my iPhone 16. I have tried all the upgrade, restart, reset, remove, reinstall, etc. etc. suggestions which are all over the support boards, all to no avail.

It's all very frustrating, especially for a major Apple Home Boy since the Mac Plus. (Bought Apple stock when I read about the Lisa in 1983, which is why I can afford a Mercedes.) This feels like what Microsoft used to (still does?) do: Treat their entire customer base as their alpha testers, and just keep updating until it (sort of) worked. Apple Evangelist Guy Kawasaki used to call this "Churn Baby Churn."

I’m having the same issues with 26.1. Frequent and random disconnects from CarPlay. Sometimes my AirPods won’t connect until I flip Bluetooth on and off. Sometimes CarPlay won’t connect at all. In both my vehicles with different stereos I have issues. Wired vs AirPlay makes no difference. Restarting doesn’t make a difference. Issues are sporadic.

Same problem here, currently opening a case with Apple because of it. Bluetooth disconnects from all devices every day, have to restart the phone in order to get it to reconnect but for it to connect to my car I'm having to try pair it every single day. Apple ran diagnostics and said there was nothing wrong with my iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Commenting to say that I am experiencing the same dang thing! It is so frustrating. I thought the stereo in my car needed an update but turns out that was wrong. I'm experiencing the same with my airpods too. Hoping a future update will fix this because it is ANNOYING.

Me too! iPhone 17, iOS 26.0.1 - thought it was my AirPods so unpaired, but right in front of me the Bluetooth switch just turns on and off on its own. It’s the most frustrating thing to hear your AirPods connect and disconnect for no reason! AirPods 2nd gen (absolutely no problem on my 12 pro max).

I’ve force reset (vol up, vol down, held power button for 10 + seconds till apple logo appears) and forever reset my AirPods.

any ideas? Software or hardware (the iPhone 17, not the AirPods).

I just brought a 17 max pro home yesterday- I can’t get it to pair with my car Bluetooth or with a Bose flex speaker. It just spins. It also seems like internet searches are taking longer. This is all very annoying. I’m on 26.0.1

I literally just bought a new amplifier because I thought mine was going.. tried my boyfriends phone and it works perfectly on his iPhone.. so it’s my phone.. just wasted money on an amp… how do I fix the Bluetooth issue on my phone ughh

Same problem her but not just bluetooth: I just switched to an Iphone Air from a Iphone 15 pro max. I notice a very low telcommunition signal and I easily loose the connection, further I have problems connecting to my bluetooth headphones (Jabra Elite 7) and finally also using Wifi in my house the signal strength has decreased significantly, where I am e.g. struggling using the phone as chrocast provider.

I have the exact same provider and equipment as with my previous Iphone 15 and also my family having Iphone 16 has no problems.