I have a 2014 Subaru Forester.
Previously, I was using an iPhone 4S on iOS 7 and every time I started the car, the phone would automatically connect to Bluetooth. Worked great.
I switched to an iPhone 5S on iOS 8 and that stopped working.
I tried deleting and re-pairing through the radio about a dozen times. Still didn’t work.
Finally, I remembered the audio pairing option available through the steering wheel control. Turns out, I think I had maxed out the number of connected devices there. Apparently, the radio and audio settings don’t interact with each other.
I talked through the BT setup options, deleted all the devices I had installed there and re-paired my iPhone.
Problem solved!
I paired my bluetooth on my Samsung Galaxy S 21 phone using the voice prompts on my 2014 Subaru Impreza Limited Radio (Model: CM631UD) multiple times and this did not work. I sent my radio to repaired three times since I brought this car used in 2017.
I have an outback 2014 and I cannot make calls or receive calls on my radio and all 3 phones r paired
Thank you soooo much. This problem was driving me crazy. Iphone6 connected automatically but iPhone SE would not. Finally connected it with the steering wheel controls on my 2012 forester and the problem is solved!
I have a 2012 Subaru Outback. Bluetooth just stopped working…messaging no bluetooth audio and the talk button stopped working also. I have read numerous comments about this, but I’m unable to get past the “no bluetooth audio”. Any suggestions?
I have 2013 Subaru Outback, I used my Iphone 8 plus through Bluetooth connectivity and it worked perfectly, when I get into my car it automatically connect, recently I purchased Iphone 11, I managed to connect it via Bluetooth but when ever I turn my car off, it does not automatically connect, I have to constantly go to settings either on the device or through the car stereo system, I called Subaru and was told the Iphone 11 and up do not work automatically with the 2012 Subaru, so be aware before you purchase a newer Iphone and you have a older model Outback.
I have a 2012 Forester. It will not stay connected to IphoneSE. I have tried deleting and reinstalling setup, but that doesn’t do it either. When I go to media on radio to connect, it says “Memory full”, do you not how to clear that? Or is there a work around this? Subaru again, once another “service” call scheduled. It will connect, but will NOT stay connected.
OMG! Thank you. I’ve been so puzzled as to why my new iPhone wouldn’t connect like the old one did. This did fix the problem. Glad I found this – I’d looked before but must not have used the right search terms,
Has anyone been able to get contacts to transfer from an iPhone via Bluetooth. I have a Subaru Forester 2015. I receive a message to allow contacts to sync but nothing ever happens. In fact the Bluetooth synced iPhone disconnects immediately when I follow the directions via voice commands
Thank you! I have a 2015 Forester and was losing my mind trying to pair the phone with the entertainment system! Sure enough, when I realized that I had to pair it separately for the phone system (per your suggestion), it turns out that the phone bank was full already and couldn’t add any more devices. After deleting a bunch of phones added before I bought my Subaru, I added my new phone and everything works again! Thank you!
Ha! This worked for me. I’d been struggling with this ever since a major iOS update several months ago. What a weird system Subaru has, divorcing the steering wheel and radio settings. But now I don’t care, thanks to your tip. Bless you!
I had no problems with my old iPhone 5, but when I got an iPhone 10 and paired it every time I turned the engine off the connectivity between the car and my phone cut off to, and I would have to go into the Bluetooth setting and manually connect to CarMedia. Fingers crossed, I followed your directions and it appears to have worked!
I have a 2012 Outback and an iPhone 7. It’s been working fine (mostly) for over a year but suddenly won’t connect. The car says the bluetooth is on and my phone says it’s connected to the Carmultimedia but the calls aren’t coming through the car. I checked all the settings and everything seems to be fine? My phone is the only device paired to the car. This happened after a dropped call and I haven’t been able to get it back. Very frustrating!
Have you sorted this out Joyce? mine is the same
I was fighting this for over six months before I found this blog post – deleting the pairing and redoing it from the steering wheel made it auto-connect again! Thank you!
WE have a 2019 Subaru and have a TracFone. When we try to use the phone a link with Verizon keeps showing up and we can use the apps on the car phone to make calls or have the contacts show up.
I had a heck of a time getting my iPhone X to connect with my 2015 Subaru Forrester. The iPhone 6 would with no issues. I tried the voice command suggestion, deleting the phone from the car then pairing again using the voice commands….and it worked!!! Awesome…..thanks!!!!
PROBLEM SOLVED ( For Now)
I’ve struggled for over a year with NO Navigation Voice between my 2015 Subaru and my iPhone. It worked fine for a few months when I got the car two years ago. I’ve had Subaru Service swear it was working … but it wouldn’t work for me…SO FRUSTRATING. I was about to dump it for a different automobile when I came upon this website. Paring your phone from the STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS and prompts has worked….Crazy, I know. NOTE: It didn’t work immediately for me, but the next time I got in the car … IT TALKED! One week and it’s still talking!
My 2016 Forrester keeps saying it’s connecting to the LG G5 phone that has been pairded for months the system seems to be locked up can’t delete the phone can’t pair a differnt devise any suggestions
Same thing here. 2016 Forester and a lg phone. Did you get it worked out?
I own a 2014 Subaru Forester. I upgraded my phone and tried 3 different phones – Google, I-phone, and Motorola. I get static on my end and can’t hear the other phone’s conversation that well. Was told there was no software update for the phone. Has anyone had this issue and how did you correct it?
My 2015 Subaru Forester won’t connect to my iPhone 6s Plus , originally it did after lots of frustration but after it kept connecting and disconnecting while I was driving I unpaired them and now I can’t connect at all worse part Subaru dealership didn’t know what it was . I just want my phone and Subaru to pair so I can use the Bluetooth feature
This worked for me also. I switched to an iPhone 8 and it would not automatically pair to my Forrester 2015. Using the voice command controls on the steering wheel and deleting my phone that way, then re-pair via voice controls worked !
I had no problem with old mobile phone. I now have a new phone and tried several times to pair with the car, but, I had to change my passkey several times. Now I get memory full and can’t get the phone and the Blue Tooth on the car to pair up? I follow all the instructions, but get the same message that the memory is full. How do I get rid of the memory and start over?
I just got the iphone X and had the same problem with my 2013 Subaru Outback. I just did this, and it worked. “Delete any existing Bluetooth devices through the radio menu. Press the OFF hook button on the steering wheel. Use the radio buttons or voice control to continue. SETUP / PHONE SETUP / PAIR PHONE / RECORD NAME. Say the owner’s name (at least 2 syllables, so you may need to say the name twice or add a last or middle name). CONFIRM. Go into your phone’s bluetooth menu, select CAR MULTIMEDIA, and enter the passkey (1234 in my case).”
Thank you. Your directions were wonderful.
I have a 2014 forester and an iPhone 11. I can connect through the voice command and it works but I have to re connect and put in the password every time. How can I avoid this?
Thank you! I was able to follow your instructions even though I have a different model Subaru, now, my phone connects every time!
I have a Forester 2015 and I was having problems setting up the Bluetooth with my new Android phone. I followed your instructions and it’s working great now. I find I can’t be listening to an audiobook and map directions (both on my phone) at the same time though. With my previous vehicle it would interrupt the audiobook to give the map directions when it needed to. I’ve come to accept that I can’t hear both with this vehicle though.
I own an Outback 2011and have problems with Bluetooth connectivity with my iPhone 5
on incoming calls.