Bluetooth not working on iPhone 3g - by fault or design?

so I can't bluetooth my images from my family from my nokia n95 to the iphone 3G?

If that is the case, I have been given misinformation.

Apple should specify that the bluetooth only works with other iphone's, not many ppl would then purchase it, I know I wouldn't have if this is the case.

frustrated too. Well if someone says it has bluetooth, then it being a standard should work with everything Otherwise apple should have mentioned it at the outset. I like the phone and still dont belive apple can do this... They should be releasing a fix soon. I hope.

I have to ask myself this question: How many people in the service provider stores (o2, att, orange etc etc) are actually letting everybody know that Blutooth is 'crippled'.. When i'm told a phone has Blutooth I assume that i can sync contact cards, photos etc..

Apple is not feeling what people want and just want to sell.. sell...sell... I hope smart ideas like the ones dicused in here make some diference out there... some day...

BRACVOOO!!!But ths really really really sucks i dont know should i buy iphone or iphone 3g :S :'(

Just to set the record straight: The iPhone Bluetooth does NOT work only with other iPhones. It actually doesn't work with ANY other phone.

iPhone BT only supports headsets, and even that is crippled, cause there's not A2DP support.

How Apple.

To say the least, this angers me!
I don't see the logic behind not being able to use such a device as bluetooth on the iphone 3g, even though it has the chip inside it!
What's the point in apple putting a bluetooth chip into the iphone 3g if we can't use it?
It's like spreading butter on your finger knowing you can't eat it!

Severely let down!

Unfortunately, bluetooth can only be used with a bluetooth headset on the iPhone. I'm hoping that Apple will correct this with a future update.

Apple is notorious for giving the middle finger to standardized applications . Bluetooth is a wonderful tool and it costs them nothing to implement file transfer but Jobs doesn't want to do it. Ditto with Java support, he hates it, and he has had bad experiences sending MMS's so he issued a company wide memo mandating zero support for MMS. There will be no updates for these issues, it's simply policy.

LOL!! Well the metaphor simply means that you cannot eat your finger so what's the point in spreading butter on it, same as apple, what's the point in putting a bluetooth chip into the iphone if you can't use it? Same idea really, and it's the only thing i could think of half asleep at nearly 12 last night.

So steve.....there's going to be NO update to fix the stupid software lockdown? Well what a WASTE of money.

I don't really know what the hype is all about, i'm looking for my boyfriend what the problem was, which is why i ended up here, i wouldn't buy the iphone if i was paid to. Simple as that really. May aswel just keep my LG Viewty (again...not the best phone in the world) but at least i can send pictures and video recordings etc from one phone to another or to a computer.

Totally senseless bit of kit is the iphone!!

just spoke to o2 and told them my Bluetooth was not working properly... They had me resetting and turning off and on. So I use my iPhone to come online and find out NO BLUETOOTH... Apple, what are you doing, the product of the future, and yet the basics are missing ... *shakes head wilst whispering right mouse button* GUTTED!!!

http://cre.ations.net/blog/post/how-t...

Thanks to the excellent work of the iPhone Dev Team and the porting work of Jay Freeman as well as the authors of 3Proxy, it is now possible to "tether" your iPhone 3G and use its Internet connection on your laptop.

Warning - Tethering your iPhone is against the iPhone data plan terms. AT&T could slap you with huge fees if you overuse this. I recommend only using it during emergencies.

I've actually got the -reverse- issue of the original poster. My iPhone 3G can't see any of the bluetooth devices I have (Treo 680, custom laptop, and my girlfriend's identicle iPhone) but the treo and the laptop can both see the iPhone. It's messed up.

When the Treo tries to send data to the iPhone, it fails to transmit and the iPhone doesn't even seem to notice it was trying to be contacted.

Ok, fair enough that the Bluetooth doesn't work with other devices, Stupid stupid stupid move on Apple's behalf, but hey, what do ya expect f rom the company that made the Mac right?

But, the problem is, that both iPhones can't see each other as well!! So what? Bluetooth is only for handsfree now? What the HELL Apple?

At first I assumed that maybe it was a faulty BT chip like many others have, but sure enough my GF's iPhone is doing the same exact thing.

Sure makes me regret trusting Steven Jobs and his idiot engineers. Screw you Apple!

what???????

I decided yesterday to get an iphone, and started to investigate. What I found?... No MMS. useless bluetooth (for me since I have never used any kind of handsfree), 2mp camera, no video recording???????

what the h***!
thanx for the information. Now im going for the HTC Diamond or Samsung Omnia

Has anyone queried this issue with apple yet?

As most basic phones have full bluetooth capabilities.

Also I agree with dem, however unlike him I didn't research the iphone before purchasing it, I found out later about the no MMS, bluetooth issue, no video recording and a measly 2mp camera.

Most phones these days have all the above as standard, and a better camera.

I agree with you that the iPhone has certain areas that need improving, but I'm not even sure that MMS is one of them. Apple were one of the first manufacturers to take away the floppy disk drive on a computer, and people thought they were crazy. MMS is an outdated system that Apple probably doesn't want to support. People should be emailing photos between phones, and I'm sure that's where we'll be headed two years from now.

The camera on the other hand, is an aspect that definitely does require boosted functionality. The camera on the iPhone 3G seems quite a lot better than that of the original iPhone, but it's still the same base resolution.

I understand the drawbacks to having a higher resolution camera — namely that the phone would have to be thicker than it currently is, and would be more expensive. Hopefully solutions will become available for the next release... and a flash wouldn't be bad either.

Bluetooth is another aspect I'm on the fence about. Most of the people I know have email access on their phone, so they simply know to use that to send me stuff now. Yes, it would be useful to be able to bluetooth directly to other phones, but on the other hand, if emailing photos and media between phones is what Apple would like to become the norm, then this makes this a moot function.

Who knows. This phone is years ahead of it's time, and people will always cry out when you take features away... but it's probably intended. If you don't like it, you could buy another phone.

i had just planned to buy a aplle iphone 3g...buh wad d !@#$...it doesnt e1 support bluetooth...

n my friend henry u tawkin a bout emailin stuff...I stay in india n here to email a song or a video u need to activate ur GPRS system..which wld again charge you heavyly...n itz not affordalbe by most..n if u hav a bluetooth..it simply bcomez so eazy to transfer data...that to fee of cost...
n yeah thats a basic thing every tom dick n harry has on hiz phone...
n firstly it doesnt even hav a good camera..so a bluetooth wld hav made up for a bad camera..as v can plan sumthin like gettin a photo clicked on sum other phone n then been sending it on d iphone..
n here the phonez gonna b launched for 24000Rs/-..thats sumthin around 600 USD....if they r relli plannin to sell th phone for such a high cost..wldnt it b worth buyin it onli if it has all watz needed by the locals here...huh!!!...
itz relli hopeless unless sum1 cumz up with a good solution atleast for the bluetooth issue.....

I was so happy to get an iPhone the other day!!! but today when I tried to connect with my friend bluetooth to share a song, it was unable to dectect her and she was unable to detect me, I am so furious about this!!!

Apple once took away the floppy disk drive, which many people thought was outrageous. Turns out, no one missed it after all. Apple was ahead of the curve. I, myself, was puzzled about Apple's decision with that one. I was wrong. I don't even own a single floppy disk anymore (not even for nostalgic reasons). (Dell finally followed their lead five years later.)

But with Bluetooth, I am not as puzzled. If I want to, for example, share a picture, I just e-mail it from my iPhone. I guess I have already moved past Bluetooth. I have a Bluetooth dongle I haven't used in ages, and I definitely don't miss it. I guess it would be nice for some people to use it for particular devices and headsets. But, not me. I just use the headphone mic they gave me with the iPhone. Works great, and I don't look like a Borg member walking around with a piece of futuristic-looking plastic sticking out of one of my ears.

If you're not a long-time Apple user, thinking like I do takes some getting used to ("use what they gave you"). I think that the best thing to say is that if Bluetooth is a deal-breaker -- or a higher MP camera, or video -- then the iPhone is probably not for you.

The only reason _I_ would like better bluetooth is to be able to use my wireless keyboard with my iPhone. Other than that I see no need for it.

My prefs for Bluetooth usage: wireless sync & file/object transfer (however less of issue if able to do so over Wifi/Airport), tethered Modem (number 1 requirement)

David,

That would be pretty awesome. You've identified an example of Bluetooth that might make me care.

The thing that disappoints me is that I can't transfer the files from my old phone to the iPhone and that if my wife wants to send me a file from her Samsung phone, she has to go through the convoluted process of pulling the file off her phone to her laptop, booting up my pc and copying the file to my system, then synching my iPhone to pick up that file. For a device that is supposed to make tasks easier, this seems to be more than a little daft.

everyone I have spoken to has asked me how the iphone 3G is. I told them it is great but it hasn't got full bluetooth capabilities. Almost all of them said they would not purchase the phone owing to this!!

Surely Apple must understand that they are indeed losing many many more customers, owing to this alone!

Apple may be working with AT&T on iPhone tethering plan:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/...

I assert that Apple is holding back on the advanced bluetooth functions because they choose to make money off of a future release whereas an updated device allows such functionality.

I fear, Apple is quickly becoming Microsoft; from the Intel chipsets, to limiting functions and forcing us to purchase apps which deliver functions natively absent. It's outrageous that my phone continuously needs updates to salve problems which shouldn't be. The fact that the 2.1 update improves battery life and furthermore reduces dropped calls is unacceptable for a phone. If my traditional phone required updates to eliminate dropped calls, I would respond by purchasing another brand of phone.

The bluetooth limitation is furthermore to say the least disheartening; the un-favored advancement of bluetooth development--simply because Microsoft had part in its conception and development--appalls me.

New advancements allow for virtual keyboards which are projected by laser onto any surface small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket allowing the user to quickly enable the phone to be used as a portable word processor--of which is currently impractical with the touch keyboard as no respectable computer user ever touch types any document, and the shear size of the touch keyboard limits the user to nothing but touch type, removing the functionality of QWERTY for all but visual reference.

I assert, the phone is obviously not designed for the typical business user and therefore will never be implemented, as is, into any corporate scenario which demands a higher level of functionality. It is very apparent that the phone is nothing more than a multimedia device geared towards juvenile computer users--of which is quite absurd considering that most Apple users are such because of the incredible utilitarian functionality of OSX compared to any PC configuration. When the market of college students, professors, scientist, programers, etc. are all using Apple, the iPhone suggest that Apple assumes these intelligent users need a portable movie player and a plethora of widgets and games with limited functionality obviously developed for an immature audience with no concern of productivity.

Functions unmentioned such as iDisk support go unrecognized; limit us diehard Apple users. I feel like Apple is telling me that I only care about the aesthetics and not performance of the device which I depend to manage my lifestyle. The new devices marketed by Apple are seemingly developed for your "average" heiress teenager with bottomless pocketbook. If Apple were to build a luxury vehicle I doubt they would find success, I could only imagine that the vehicle would be liken to a Mercedes-Benz exterior styling while having the performance of a Kia, or low-end economy vehicle.

So I conclude, it is my belief that the only acceptable, or intelligent, reason for the obvious limitations of power, are to profit from alleviated these limitations to improve performance through software patching instead of hardware upgrades, while making the same money without recasting the original design. All other justifications are excuses not reasons--excluding modem tethering, which obviously would intrude on the current marketing infrastructure of ISP's... Yet bluetooth drivers may not be updated, because Apple simply ignores the pleas of anyone except the corporate leader's greed. This is not a democratic company, it is more justly compared to a capitalist-monarchy with a communistic approach to satisfying the markets needs by satisfying the corporate wants in greed while projecting their judgement onto the market and restricting the ability and utility desired by the consumer. I now see that Apple is no lesser evil than Microsoft, of which the two must have reached agreement to produce technology that will not release any development which proceed each others technology and therefore lock-stepping the market.

I have already decided to downgrade my iphone to an ipod touch and keeping a more traditional phone which responds to utility--inclusive of fundamental functions I need, such as, SMS messaging, Stereo Bluetooth, and most of all reliability. Inherently, iPhone is akin to nothing more than fools-gold--with its useless beauty--or rather a stereotyping of a dumb-blonde both mindless and pretty. It infuriates me simply because I had once held Macintosh with upmost esteem and had been proud to be so happy--yet now with its diminishing value I find myself attracted to the inexpensive problematic PC which functions although not reliably. May Macintosh rest in peace, because its heir Apple doesn't seem to understand the fundamental principles which Steve Jobs envisioned in its begging.

I need cross platform compatibility and this means bluetooth and an unrestrictive file system which enables advanced users the ability to manipulate the performance of a device which we own and do not lease. Why I am restricted, is obstinate to my needs, its is unethical that my purchase is sold with strings. If the device's framework is incapable of utilizing a fully functioning keyboard, then Apple needs to make this confession as a distinct reason instead of alluding to an excuse remnant of simple oversight.

I need applications which allow additional utility of pre-existing hardware capability, inclusive of unrestricted bluetooth and camera ability.

wow.... why don't you all go cry just a little bit more??

seriously.

"ooh noo! it doesn't have bluetooth!"

wah.

that's all.

crying used to help me... but this time...

its half-aas and I'm left with useless wireless headphones cause it wasn't coded right... Yet potential updates always keep on the edge of my seat with each new patch. Props to Apple regardless, I'll keep the hope. Afterall I recently discovered iStorage for mobileME and now I feel re-enchanted... However I still miss the simplicity of my former Helio and its microSD card

I found a good solution for the iPhone 3G bluetooth problem -

http://www.fixya.com/support/t786474-...

I think it will help you with your problme.

Good luck,
Jerry.

Guys,

I just restored mine and that fixed it! so basically if you upgrade from 2.0x to 2.1 then that messes up your bluetooth (my guess).

When I did a restore, first thing I did was go to General and test bluetooth. I tried searching for my iphone using my other phone (p990i) and THERE IT WAS!!!

so yeah, havent tested it with a headset, but I am pretty sure now that its 'actually' discoverable it will pretty much work.

so upgrading firmware causes the issue, nuke and restore 2.1 fixes it :-)

btw, I chose not to backup when it asked me (I only got the phone like 2 days ago so no need)

goodluck and restore it right away if u having bluetooth issues...

The biggest !@#$ problem out of this theft issue of bluetooth not working with other phones, like Nokia, is you can't easily transfer you contacts to your new iphone.. ANY IDEAS on how easiest to do that? My old phone is the Nokia 9300... HELP!

No bluetooth?! Is it the apocalypse??!!!!

so can you send songs from other phones to the iphone via bluetooth or not? need help??????

From my understanding Iphone has crippled the bluetooth where it will not transfer files. The reason is to force you into using ITunes for file transfers.

your an !@#$ if you looked youd find that the iphone dosent support file transfer via bluetooth i know its crap but its not my fault

I'm thinking about buying the iphone3g but if it doesn't have bluetooth so i can send pictures to my friends then i don't know about buying it!!

I'm probably repeating what somebody has already said (and probably not as well), but the iPhone 3G does have Bluetooth but Bluetooth itself is not file transfer (it's just a way the connectivity between devices is handled): Bluetooth "services" allow it to do common tasks between devices like audio streaming, file transfer, etc.

The iPhone 3G solely has the service to stream low-quality mono audio; used for Bluetooth headsets during phone calls. That's why devices can connect to it but not do anything with it (the Bluetooth works just fine, but it has no usable services apart from mono audio).

I would love to have photo file transfer integrated into the Photos application; there's no user-friendly way of storing files on the iPhone so it's pretty obvious why you can't send things like Word documents.

Don't hold me to it, but I'm pretty sure that the Bluetooth module in the iPhone is generic (i.e. not restricted to simply mono audio transfer): it'd be awesome of Apple added (if possible) Bluetooth APIs to the developer SDK. I doubt they will though.

I spend over an hour trying to connect my Treo 680 to my just jailbroken iPhone. And was wondering what I did wrong. Now I have to find out, that this is intended by Apple to implement only a crippled Bluetooth functionality...
Oh my...
the reason behind that is probably, that if you could send files over bluetooth from other Phones or Devices, you could bypass the AppStore too easily. So that's why they might have shut it down. So don't hope, that 2.3 or other upgrades will solve that problem. Unless Apple changes it's mind about the whole Security Concept.
But there's still hope: bluesn0w !
Only problem with that is, they are just in Demo state. Don't know how long it will take them to implement the full functionality.

Apple's just confirmed iPhone 3.0 firmware is already rumored to add MMS picture messaging and data tethering.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/...

Not sure if this will be via Bluetooth or USB but is promising

Two words: stereo bluetooth.

My P.O.S. Motorola Q - which was one of the most frustrating devices I've *ever* owned - could stream decent quality stereo music to a pair of bluetooth headphones.

This is supposed to be the "best iPod ever?" And it doesn't have a stereo bluetooth profile?

iPhone 3.0 to add A2DP Bluetooth Stereo, also peer to peer IP for ad-hoc communication between two iPhones via Bluetooth and Bonjour

"They talk over the dock, and wirelessly over Bluetooth. Things like playing and pausing music, getting artwork -- or you can build your own custom protocols."
"Given the new SDK, the meter can transmit that data over Bluetooth or the dock connector."

11:39AM Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: Scott (explains tethering): We're supporting tethering in the client side, we're building that support in. We're working with our carriers around the world. We are building that support in.
11:37AM Q: Will peer to peer work with other devices?
A: It's limited to Bonjour, peer to peer devices.

source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/17/li...

I know it is not the same, and I agree with all of your gripes, but there is a way to get files on to and off of the iphone -

http://code.google.com/p/iphonebrowse...

Click on 'SetupiPhoneBrowser.1.81.exe' link

You have to connect your iphone to the comp/laptop, but it allows you to transfer images/music/movies to and from the iphone, which cannot be done through Itunes.

Help on using the software is here:

http://code.google.com/p/iphonebrowse...

It even allows you to add your own ringtones. See here:

http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/f128/...

Fingers up to the rather overrated Iphone - I am a big Apple fan and to be frank (even though I am female), I was rather disappointed. And what do I do when disappointed? I jailbreak and hack and unlock, damn you I WILL get that baseband downgraded. You only have yourselves to blame, Applets.

i got my iphone 3g and i heard it had some amazing things and then i relised that even tho it has got some great things i cant send songs because it does not work :| are apple being real all the money that we pay for it and the bluetooth dont work theyreally need to sort it out for the next iphone to come outbecuse if it has not been sorted i will not be owning a new iphone

I WANT BLUE TOOTH ON MY PHONE 3G :@

My 3g iPhone was my first experience with Apple in over 20 years. I have since tried laptops as well (sorry Apple books or whatever...). My conclusion is that the entire Apple success is based strictly on Marketing and the design of the devices' looks and most of the users should be equated to following some kind of religious delusion

Can't say I like Windows Mobile much, but I sure won't be buying any other Apple phone any time soon

You guys are all wrong Iphones can sync with non Iphones. Its just that when you unlock or jailbreak with software, it messes up the bluetooth files. this is what an Apple agent told me. I have a regular locked iphone 3gs, and it works with everything bluetooth

Has anyone had success in syncing with windows XP outlook using blutooth and the latest 3.0.1 Iphone 3GS software? The myiphone agent told me that it does not work becuase of AT&T.

damn guys same goes to me, I bought it in high price and it's really being useless to me, I never thought I'll say this but Im feeling that I made a mistake to buy the iphone.. no Bluetooth, no Sending no MMS no.. no.. noo... nooo !!!!
wtf all that money for ?!
isn't it bad to us to waste all that money for, an ipod mobile with nothing new ?!
please Apple, do somthing about it, if this is still the same I'm afraid I'll not trust your prouduction again..

I have paired my iPhone (Three G ) with my MacBook Pro! They paired, they sent pairing codes ( laptop to iPhone ) but after that nothing. The iPhone appears on the laptop devices and the laptop appears on the iPhone list of devices but apart from that nothing! Once the pairing was completed they refused to connect further.

The iPhone has connected to the Bluetooth telephone system on my Nissan - NO PROBLEM. Works a treat. Connects seemlessly as I step into the car. Brilliant.