Bluetooth devices are disconnected if VoiceOver is turned off or crashes

Category
Bluetooth
Severity
Moderate

Description

If you are using a bluetooth device and VoiceOver is turned off or crashes, you may find that you need to reconnect your audio device before VoiceOver will once again use it for output. Bluetooth devices also disconnect when other audio controls are activated such as the VoiceOver Rotor ‘Audio Ducking’ and ‘Audio Destination’.

Bug First Encountered

iOS 9.0

Device(s) bug has been encountered on

iPhone 5

How often the bug occurs

Sometimes

Status

Fixed

Fixed In

iOS 9.2

Options

Comments

By Dane on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

It's possible to work around this annoying bug by selecting your Bluetooth headset from the AirPlay menu in the control center after VO switches the audio route back to the iOS device speakers. Note: This doesn't prevent the disconnect from happening, but it may make it easier to recover from this bug.

By Holger Fiallo on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

It also happens with iPhone 6. I made a call and voiceover did not work and when I finish, it went to speeker and I needed to reconnect the Bluetooth. I went to accessibility and audio routing and select Bluetooth instead of automatic. Hope this help. I notice if I ask seiri to make a call voiceover does work.

By Holger Fiallo on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

No. It does not work when using siri.

By Neo on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

This sounds like the bug I am encountering with my Bluetooth headset on IOS9. It disconnects my Bluetooth most of the time when I receive an incoming call and also sometimes when making an outgoing call.
I am finding this v inconvienient as I use my Bluetooth headset when out and about.

By Holger Fiallo on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

I am using iOS 9.01 and so far was working well. I was able to press the number I needed after making a call. voiceover is doing well. I just install iOS9.02 hope no issues.

By Steve on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

Routing appears to have been improved in terms of switching profiles, but if you disable VO and re-enable it, all device audio reverts back to the phone speaker every time. At least it does on my 5S with any BT device I use. Reported to Apple. Perhaps fixed in another year or two.

By Holger Fiallo on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 12:32

Spoke to soon. My Bluetooth disconnected. Using iOS 9.0.2 I hope that iOS 9.1 is fixing this issue. Is beyond iritating.

By biblioholic on Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 12:32

You said:
"It's possible to work around this annoying bug by selecting your Bluetooth headset from the AirPlay menu in the control center after VO switches the audio..."

Pardon me for being a novice. I went to control center in settings. I learned I could get to the control center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen but it didn't say two, three, or one finger swipe. I tried each and got no reaction at all. I have access on lock screen and access within apps both enabled. I'm having this problem a lot with three different Bluetooth headsets and really need this work around. Can you please elaborate for me?