Help Can not use Bluetooth when audio jack is plugged in

[Mike Van Pelt]

I use my phone to play podcasts through the AUX input in my car. Bluetooth connects, but when I get a phone call, there is no audio through the Bluetooth -- I can dial and pick up the phone from the car Bluetooth controls, but I can not hear the caller; they can not hear me. Instead of being able to use the hands-free feature actually hands-free, in order to talk to the caller, I must fumble with the phone and unplug the AUX jack from the phone before Bluetooth audio will work.

This worked perfectly fine with my old HTC Evo. I picked the Samsung Galaxy S3 over the HTC LTE for my upgrade; I'm beginning to wonder if that was a mistake.

 

[sorka]

Hope this is not the case. That would be a deal killer for me.

Is your car bluetooth connected with a2dp or just phone audio? If a2dp, then that would probably explain it.

 

[liteon163]

Doesn't the call work through the stereo? I'd think you'd be able to hear the caller over you car speakers. And they'd hear you like on speakerphone.

Hmm... Interesting. I'll have to try it when I get my Verizon SGS3 next week.

 

[newtoandroid99]

I have a issue like that in my 2011 Nissan Murano. I cannot get the phone to do calls and media at the same time. If I do only one it works great, but I cannot have both active of the same time. If I'm playing music and get a call it rings on the head set and It doesn't let me take the call on bt. I have to go to the phone bt settings and pair it when I start my car, it's really annoying but the phone call quality is the best of any phone I have had when it's working. I'm hoping this is fixed in a future firmware update soon. In the mean time I only use it as a phone and no longer stream music with it.

 

[Mike Van Pelt]

My car stereo doesn't do a2dp. I'm just Bluetooth connected for the phone audio, plus the steering-wheel buttons to pick up and hang up.

And no, it does not play the phone audio through the stereo. Nor does it pick up through the phone's microphone. It's complete dead silence on both ends when Bluetooth-connected and the phone plugged in to the AUX jack.

If this can not work, this is a deal killer for me. By California law I can turn the phone back in within a couple of weeks, and I most certainly will if I can not use it to both play podcasts and talk on the phone using the hands-free. As far as I am concerned, such a limitation is a completely unacceptable defect.

 

[sorka]

My droid x works oppositely. I have a prius and when I answer or make a call via bluetooth, it mutes the audio coming out of the headphone jack.

You might consider trying the infuse car dock. It uses the line level output instead of the headphone output and someone mentioned in another thread that when they were on a call, the audio muted from the line out which they didn't want but seemed to me the desired behavior.

 

[Mike Van Pelt]

Well, I talked to Samsung's phone tech support, and, at least according to the first-level tech support person, you can not use Bluetooth when anything is plugged in to the headphone jack.

Massively disappointing.

I sent email to Samsung tech support via their web page. I hope that someone more knowledgeable has a solution. If not, this phone is going to be returned, and I will be getting a HTC Evo LTE instead. If it really works this way and there is no acceptable workaround, I consider it a fatal defect.

The HTC Evo just works the way it ought to work -- listening to a downloaded podcast, a phone call comes in, I hit the off-hook button on the steering wheel, and Google Listen *pauses* the podcast, while I take the call. Then it resumes when I hang up. I would assume the LTE works the same way. (But then I assumed any phone from any major manufacturer would work this way. Why would anyone consider making anything that didn't?)

(Taking both hands off the wheel to physically unplug the phone from the AUX cable whenever I get a call is not an acceptable workaround.)

 

[Tware]

I've had a SGS2 and Note, with both, if I got a call over my Parrot BT system, I couldnt actually hear/talk until I removed the headphone jack. I could answer and it would hold the call until I disconnected. Pretty sure the SGS3 is working just as previous models have.. not to say that's good, but consistent. :/

 

[Mike Van Pelt]

The "email tech support" person just sent back a "call the 800 support number to resolve this".

So I did. Again, first-level tech support reading from a script, as far as she knows, this phone can not walk and chew gum at the same time. You either use the phone strictly as a podcast player with no telephone capability (with aux jack plugged in) or you use it strictly as a phone without the ability to play downloaded audio material (aux jack unplugged.) "Maybe" there's "some third party app" that will do this, but Samsung disavows all knowledge of any such thing.

I clicked "very dis-satisfied with this response" on the email... I really want to get some response from someone in tech support at Samsung who really knows. I don't get the feeling that I'm talking to anyone that's doing more than reading from a script on the tech support phone line. Surely this phone is not so horribly crippled as I'm being led to believe.

But if I don't get a "Yes, here's how to do it" answer by this weekend, the phone is going back, and I'm going to get an HTC. I know that their phones are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. (Or, at least, alternating between the two tasks without requiring cable plugging and unplugging.)

It's really annoying... because other than this fatal defect, I really like this phone. But this defect is one I just can not live with.

 

[sorka]

Well, I talked to Samsung's phone tech support, and, at least according to the first-level tech support person, you can not use Bluetooth when anything is plugged in to the headphone jack.

Massively disappointing.

I sent email to Samsung tech support via their web page. I hope that someone more knowledgeable has a solution. If not, this phone is going to be returned, and I will be getting a HTC Evo LTE instead. If it really works this way and there is no acceptable workaround, I consider it a fatal defect.

The HTC Evo just works the way it ought to work -- listening to a downloaded podcast, a phone call comes in, I hit the off-hook button on the steering wheel, and Google Listen *pauses* the podcast, while I take the call. Then it resumes when I hang up. I would assume the LTE works the same way. (But then I assumed any phone from any major manufacturer would work this way. Why would anyone consider making anything that didn't?)

(Taking both hands off the wheel to physically unplug the phone from the AUX cable whenever I get a call is not an acceptable workaround.)

I'd try the dock first before returning it. The phone can't detect when the 3.5 mm connector is plugged into the line out jack, so it shouldn't do anything to the bluetooth. You'll also get better audio quality as the voltage is correct for aux inputs.

Still, it's pretty massive defect as it is.

 

[Mike Van Pelt]

Well, I decided to try the "support via Facebook" link, and amazingly enough, I got someone at Samsung who went off-script. He said he'd look into it. That's the first promising response from Samsung so far. I don't hink I want to spend a lot of accessories until I know the phone will work for me. What is this dock that you use? Is it something from Samsung, or somewhere else?

 

[techgeek32]

Well, I talked to Samsung's phone tech support, and, at least according to the first-level tech support person, you can not use Bluetooth when anything is plugged in to the headphone jack.

Massively disappointing.

I sent email to Samsung tech support via their web page. I hope that someone more knowledgeable has a solution. If not, this phone is going to be returned, and I will be getting a HTC Evo LTE instead. If it really works this way and there is no acceptable workaround, I consider it a fatal defect.

The HTC Evo just works the way it ought to work -- listening to a downloaded podcast, a phone call comes in, I hit the off-hook button on the steering wheel, and Google Listen *pauses* the podcast, while I take the call. Then it resumes when I hang up. I would assume the LTE works the same way. (But then I assumed any phone from any major manufacturer would work this way. Why would anyone consider making anything that didn't?)

(Taking both hands off the wheel to physically unplug the phone from the AUX cable whenever I get a call is not an acceptable workaround.)

Hi,

The same problem with the Epic Touch 4G I used to have on Sprint. It is supposedly a Samsung safety issue. The only work around is to get a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your AUX jack on your car. Luckily there is a brand new product by HTC that is about the size of a USB stick. It is rechargeable and has a 5 hour battery life or you can keep it plugged into a car charger with its micro usb port. It is Bluetooth 4.0 and works perfectly. You just pair your phone to your car and the HTC Bluetooth Stereo gateway and you don't have to worry about using the AUX cable. I have had to use this setup with all of my Samsung phones. I used an old Blackberry Stereo Gateway before, but this solution is much more compact and portable. You can purchase this online or at a Sprint corporate store. It is about $60, but is future proof with having Bluetooth 4.0. Hope this helps you out.
You might have to manually pair your phone with the HTC adapter when you get in your car. The phone should pair with your car bluetooth automatically, but what I have noticed is not many of the new smartphones are able to pair to two different bluetooth devices that have different pin codes. Your car is probaby 1234 and the HTC device is 0000. That is the only thing I have noticed, but I don't have my SIII yet so can't confirm if it will pair with both automatically. It might since it has the bluetooth 4.0 stack.

 

[Mike Van Pelt]

It is supposedly a Samsung safety issue.

Because it is ever so much safer to fumble with the phone, and steer with your knees and elbows while you use both hands to unplug the cable from the phone than it is to just press the little "Answer" button on the steering wheel.

Yeah, I can imagine lawyers thinking that way.

I may go with the A2DP gateway thing, if the phone can pair with both. The guy on the Samsung support page on Facebook hasn't gotten back to me yet, but it's been less than a day. I was planning on returning the phone on Sunday if I couldn't get anything from Samsung, but since this guy did actually respond to what I was saying, and said he'd check, I'll give it a few more days.

It's a really nice phone otherwise, and I'd hate to have to give it up.

 

[matttye]

I suspect it might be your particular Bluetooth. A few people have reported problems with built in car Bluetooth.

I have a "super tooth buddy" which works well. My phone isn't without it's share of problems, but it works fine in the sense that you're talking about.

- phone connected via Bluetooth to st buddy.
- phone connected via 3.5mm cable to stereo to listen to music.
- command button on st buddy starts s voice, or answers an incoming call.
- both parties can speak to and hear the other side.

Do you or anyone you know have another headset lying around that you can try?

The other possible problem might be this, and this affects me:

Every time I turn the Bluetooth headset off, or turn off Bluetooth on the phone, the next time I connect to the headset it won't do anything. Pressing the command button does nothing even though the devices are paired. I have to reboot the phone to get it to work again.

Hope Samsung fixes it in a firmware update

 

[pflol]

I have this same problem it's extremely irritating. I had zero problems on my Galaxy s 1 (epic 4g). So stupid that you have to unplug the aux cable every single time.

 

[shivram100]

Hey Guys,
In the BT settings, under the paired devices, please 'check box' 'call audio' , this ensures that you receive and make calls thru your car stereo.

Hope this helps.

 

[pflol]

Hey Guys,
In the BT settings, under the paired devices, please 'check box' 'call audio' , this ensures that you receive and make calls thru your car stereo.

Hope this helps.

Yeah. Its been checked. It just doesn't use the bluetooth if an aux cable is connected. Guess I'm back to using my tablet for pandora in the car :\.

 

[dansftown]

I just picked up the Galaxy S3 yesterday, and my car won't answer Bluetooth calls. My phone is paired with the car, but I'm listening to my music on my phone (through the headphone jack), and when I get a call my phone defaults to the headphone jack and my car to the bluetooth. I'd appreciate if anyone can help.

I'm coming from the original Evo, and it always defaulted to Bluetooth, it was so nice. I'm within my 14 days at Sprint, and am considering returning the GS3 to switch to the LTE, based on this problem alone.

Does anyone have any insight?

 

[SirKronan]

Hi,

The same problem with the Epic Touch 4G I used to have on Sprint. It is supposedly a Samsung safety issue. The only work around is to get a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your AUX jack on your car. Luckily there is a brand new product by HTC that is about the size of a USB stick. It is rechargeable and has a 5 hour battery life or you can keep it plugged into a car charger with its micro usb port. It is Bluetooth 4.0 and works perfectly. You just pair your phone to your car and the HTC Bluetooth Stereo gateway and you don't have to worry about using the AUX cable. I have had to use this setup with all of my Samsung phones. I used an old Blackberry Stereo Gateway before, but this solution is much more compact and portable. You can purchase this online or at a Sprint corporate store. It is about $60, but is future proof with having Bluetooth 4.0. Hope this helps you out.
You might have to manually pair your phone with the HTC adapter when you get in your car. The phone should pair with your car bluetooth automatically, but what I have noticed is not many of the new smartphones are able to pair to two different bluetooth devices that have different pin codes. Your car is probaby 1234 and the HTC device is 0000. That is the only thing I have noticed, but I don't have my SIII yet so can't confirm if it will pair with both automatically. It might since it has the bluetooth 4.0 stack.

When you stream your music via bluetooth vs. connecting with an audio cable, you lose a good bit of your lower frequencies. In addition, it is definitely NOT safer to have to disconnect a cable (taking hands AND eyes off the road) just to answer a call. What's the point of HANDS FREE?

In addition, my friends AT&T Galaxy 3 does NOT have this problem. Neither did his SGSII, and neither does my Galaxy Nexus. This is indeed a FATAL FLAW.

Note - I have the Verizon SGS III. This will be a deal breaker if not fixed.

Edit: I had my friends test his AT&T SGS III on the spot, too, and he confirms it works fine. His truck has an audio jack, like most modern vehicles and after market head units, and when he receives a call it goes to the bluetooth, no problem.

Why in the hell would I connect a bluetooth headset AFTER connecting an audio cable and playing music on it UNLESS I wanted to TAKE CALLS with the bluetooth. I had this same issue with my Fascinate. I did NOT have this issue with my HTC Eris (even though it was kind of a piece of junk...), Droid X, or Galaxy Nexus. This is not a safety feature, it's a legitimate safety issue, and more people need to make a stink about this. I am going to return it for sure if there is no resolution. I am not going to deal with a "Fascinate 2". You can get a ticket in my state for fumbling with your phone while driving. That's why we connect a damn bluetooth headset!!!!

 

[rkv3434]

Does anyone know if this is a hardware or software issue?

Would it be possible to write an app or mod to the system (once root is available) that would make the phone think that there wasn't an audio jack plugged in if a call is received while connected via bluetooth?

 

[Ches111]

I am using the line out feature for the Infuse 4G dock that has the 3.5mm jack on the rear of the dock. You have to go to dock settings and change it to use external speakers while docked. I was able to take a Bluetooth call this am while listening to Pandora on the way to work. Pandora muted and the call came in fine. So the phone audio is going over bluetooth (through my stereo and the built in mic in the truck and the stereo music is going through my aux. I have to go this route because my Trucks BT only supports Phone Audio NOT A2DP.

 

[SirKronan]

I am using the line out feature for the Infuse 4G dock that has the 3.5mm jack on the rear of the dock. You have to go to dock settings and change it to use external speakers while docked. I was able to take a Bluetooth call this am while listening to Pandora on the way to work. Pandora muted and the call came in fine. So the phone audio is going over bluetooth (through my stereo and the built in mic in the truck and the stereo music is going through my aux. I have to go this route because my Trucks BT only supports Phone Audio NOT A2DP.

Same here! I'll give that a try. Thank you.

 

[SirKronan]

I am using the line out feature for the Infuse 4G dock that has the 3.5mm jack on the rear of the dock. You have to go to dock settings and change it to use external speakers while docked. I was able to take a Bluetooth call this am while listening to Pandora on the way to work. Pandora muted and the call came in fine. So the phone audio is going over bluetooth (through my stereo and the built in mic in the truck and the stereo music is going through my aux. I have to go this route because my Trucks BT only supports Phone Audio NOT A2DP.

How are you making the SGS III think it's in a dock?

 

[Ches111]

Yeah SirK, that was the problem. I ran something called Dock Simulator and I also downloaded the "Samsung Car Home" application from a site called mobile24. It is essentially a free version of Car Home Ulitmate (I think) from the playstore.

After fiddling with this for a while last night I finally got it to switch to to dock mode this am. I would suggest you install both apps and then restart the device. Then dock it and see if it pops up a window asking how to fulfill the dock request "S-Voice or Car Home"

Hope this helps!

 

[dansftown]

I gave that a shot, but I don't think Samsung Car Home works with ICS. Google Play says this device is not compatible with this version.