Galaxy S3 4.3 Update - Bluetooth issues - "Unfortunately, Bluetooth Share has stopped"

[e-ec-ecu]

Sorry in advance for the long post!

I have a 2014 Subaru Forester with the Harman Kardon Navigation Stereo.  I also have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 (not-rooted) phone.

In the past few months, the stereo and phone would pair with no problems.  The Phone, Bluetooth Audio and even the text message feature worked.  Remember, this feature (texting feature with the stereo) WORKED with the phone on 4.2.  This feature would retrieve your texts and would actually play them for you.  Very nice feature.

I received the 4.3 Jelly Bean update when it came out.  With this new update, the text feature does not work and actually crashes the Bluetooth service continuously.

Here are the details if anyone is interested:

With the new phone software, I deleted the phone and re-PAIRED the phone to the stereo.  The stereo (and the phone) asks for permission to download phonebook and call logs.  I accept and all is good.

The phone then prompts saying "CAR MULTIMEDIA would like access to your messages and message list" (or something similar).  I accept.  THEN, every 1-2 minutes the phone will report "Unfortunately, Bluetooth Share has stopped."  All you can do is click OK on the phone.  It COMPLETELY resets the bluetooth connection, drops calls and re-PAIRS the phone. This repeats continuously and makes bluetooth unusable!

I have tried WITH and WITHOUT Bluetooth Auto Connect App.  Same results.

As a workaround, I delete the phone and stereo bluetooth connection on both devices.  I re-PAIR the phone, and ACCEPT the "Phonebook and Call log" request, but I CANCEL the request to access messages.  Once I do that, the bluetooth remains stable ... BUT now I don't have access to the texting feature I began to really like.

More details:  I called Verizon and got to Tier 2 supports (whatever that means) and the very nice woman tried to help out.  We did a few things that didn't help.  She said she would call "Samsung" (maybe she did, maybe she didn't).  She called me right back and said that Samsung is aware of the issue and that some stereos are not compatible for all bluetooth features and the stereo would need to be updated (yeah, right!).  I told her it worked fine before VERIZON/SAMSUNG update so I am thinking THEIR software broke it.

She then said she would call my local Subaru Dealer and she DID.  She said that the service department could perform an upgrade!  So, I called the Service Department and reached the woman that spoke to the Verizon Rep.  She said that it was not that simple (as I thought) and they don't simply "update individual stereos" for customers for bluetooth functionality.  Also, she said that since it worked in the past with a different phone software version, that Verizon should NOT have passed the buck off on Subaru.  I agreed.

Also, i spoke with a Samsung Customer Support person and they eventually told me that this would have to be brought up with Verizon as the app (Bluetooth Share) is part of their agreement to provide service (or something like that).

Anyway, that is where I stand.  I am going to try to go through Verizon again and elevate it ... just not today.  It was frustrating to say the least.

  Again, Sorry for the long post!

[betsyyoung]

Thanks for the reply, interesting you mention the upgrade.  We just got that notice in the mail from Subaru and went Monday to see if we needed the upgrade and we do. They called last night and the part is in, I need to make an appointment to have it installed. Will keep you posted!  Thanks again.

[sparksals]

I have the EXACT same problem as you.  I have a brand new 2014 Subaru Forester, in fact, so new I have only had it for two weeks.  I also have a Samsung Galaxy Note III phone. 

The phone pairing worked fine up until last night when suddenly, it asked about the car multimedia like you mentioned and suddenly I was able to view my text messages.  It actually took awhile b/c I have so many messages it was trying to download.  Each time, I got the error on the phone, but didn't notice anything was wrong until my phone rang through the phone and not through the car.  That is when I noticed the error message... the exact error message you get.

I didn't do anything to change phone settings.  I"m wondering if it would be easier to do a reset on the Subaru system and start from scratch on that?

Since we both have Subaru Forester's and the exact problem, I wonder if there is a glitch in the Subaru side.  I checked my phone and I got the last Samsung update on December 13.  My pairing worked fine since I got the car and it only changed when it suddenly started showing my text messages just last night.  Having said that, since this was the first time I got the messaging function, it may have been a problem from the beginning.   I just don't know for sure and I don't know why the messaging just suddenly happened.  I noticed it when the car was warming up (I'm in MN) and that messages were on the screen.  I was like huhhh?? How did that happen?  I just started the car.  That was it.

I really feel for you b/c you have gotten the run around.  It seems like NO ONE is willing to accept responsibility.

I am going to unpair my phone and reset the nav system and start over.  I'd rather do that than hard reset my phone, especially since it won't fix the problem. 

[RedFrog47]

Add another case: new 2014 Forester Bluetooth worked perfectly before the OS update, now broken and unusable.  Constantly drops and reestablishes the connection.  Workaround solution above (phone shutdown, restart services) has worked once.

[aka-neo]

Duplicate post - please see:

https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1047862#1047862

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

[rainman154620]

Count me in for issues using a Galaxy S3 WITH newest software and a 2014 Subaru Forester XT w/ Navigation.

Same issues as everyone above is stating. Oh, how I wish I would have NEVER updated the software. Things were working perfectly BEFORE the update.

Issue is the 4.3 update, not our radios or phones.

PLEASE FIX.

PS - Battery life is horrible now. Wasn't before the update.

[betsyyoung]

Okay kids, I got the Subaru Navigation upgrade over the weekend.  Didn't solve anything.  This is getting so frustrating!  Subaru asked me what Samsung says when asked about it and I said they turn it back on Subaru, so nobody seems to be accepting responsibility.  I Googled Samsung upgrade and the reports say many customers are experiencing our same issues and they are expecting another upgrade, the 4.4 in March.  If you don't want to/can't wait for that, they say to hard reset the phone Re: Galaxy S3 4.3 Update - Bluetooth issues - "Unfortunately, Bluetooth Share has stopped" or downgrade.  I'm assuming that means downgrade back to the JellyBean 4.2 upgrade...I would LOVE to do that, but not sure how and I'm once bitten, twice shy now.  I continue to drop calls in the car and still don't have texts coming through the stereo/nav screen. Grrrrrr!  I, fortunately, have not experienced the massive battery drain...yay!  I have a 2013 Outback and I'm now wondering if it's a Samsung/Subaru issue, my husband has a Jeep and we have the same phone....no issues for him.  Well, some of his pictures in the Gallery are half blacked out now.  Good times....excellent upgrade Samsung, what was the point?  I don't see ANY feature that was worth it.  Let's hope the one in March puts us back to where we were.  Thanks for all your posts, as frustrating as this is, glad it's not just my phone!

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Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

[ooofest]

I've seen similar reports from Toyota and Ford owners, so it's not just affecting Subaru cars, apparently.

But, yes: this all happened when the 4.3 upgrade from Samsung and Verizon was applied.  My phone is slower, more buggy for Bluetooth connections overall, suddenly flaky WiFi connections, etc. - it's not just our cars.

BTW, you can't downgrade the operating system - Samsung also enabled a security feature that will essentially brick your phone if you try to downgrade from 4.3 on our models.  I have been running stock all this time and wanted to break away from this 4.3-related misery, but it's no longer possible.

[aka-neo]

Add Kia to the list. It's a Bluetooth issue in general. Not vehicle specific.

[BuffyBuff]

Well, add a 2013 Honda Civic to the list -- after the recent update my SIII won't notify me of or read me my incoming text messages.  There are a couple of other things too, but this is the big annoyance.

It's not the end of the world and it is something somewhat foolish to complain about but it is frustrating that an update is supposed to be that, an update, not make your products work worse.

[mgsinga]

I had the same issue with a new Tundra. Had it for one week prior to the update from Samsung. Then text messages would no longer sync with the vehicle. Did a lot of searching on the internet and learned after the fact, the update stinks. Did everything mentioned in the posts above, including hard reset but no luck. After several weeks all of a sudden with no further action on my part, it started working again. Will definitely do some research before updating the phone again.

[derekmuller]

I want to echo this post but point out some differences and emphasize that this is almost assuredly a Samsung/Android 4.3 problem.

I have a 2012 Ford Focus and a Galaxy S3, and Bluetooth has worked wonderfully with Sync. Since 4.3, there have been multiple problems.

First, the phone no longer connects to the car automatically. In fact, it won't do it manually, either. It requires fidgeting with the Bluetooth settings while the car is running. It's by far the bigger problem that it won't happen automatically.

Second, when playing audio over the Bluetooth, sometimes (I haven't figured out exactly what triggers it, but it seems if the audio has been stopped or disrupted briefly by turning off the engine or something in the recent past) the audio will speed up to around 3x for about 3 seconds, then stop altogether for about 3 seconds, and repeat several times, until it finally gets back to normals. This is if I'm listening to a podcast, have navigation instructions going, whatever it is. It's only via Bluetooth.

Googling around, I see this problem has been reported with multiple cars, and with not just cars but Bluetooth compatibility with keyboards, too.

Adding to this thread because it floated to the top of my Google searches.

[CoachGrump]

I would also like to add to this. I just bought my 2014 Subaru Outback ( 6 Jan 2014). And I just got my Galaxy S4 (10 Feb 2014). When I got the phone it didn't have the 4.3 software. After the update I have been having nothing but Bluetooth issues. To the point where I'm about to take the phone back and fight to get back into an iPhone. I find it quite annoying driving down the road to see the screen on my head unit drop the phone. Then to pick up the phone and see the message "Unfortunately,  Bluetooth share has stopped".

I have done a lot of the above mentioned to no avail. I have even linked my wife's iPhone and there are no issues at all. So It has to be the software update for Android.

Please fix ASAP. Thanks

[foobarbazqux]

Can confirm I have this exact same issue with my Galaxy S4 running Android 4.3 (I545VRUEMK2) with a 2013 Subaru BRZ    

The workaround posted in the original thread works for me: you must "Cancel" when the phone prompts you to allow the CAR MULTIMEDIA to access the text messages.

This is the only thing that worked for me. I tried soft resets, hard resets, unpairing the car/phone a number of different ways and I can't even remember what else.

While we have an apparent workaround for the time being, this is a terrible bug that needs to be remedied. How did this pass QA? Doesn't Samsung employ regression testing?

[sparksals]

I have to do that exact thing.  I really don't need to see my messages driving, but it is a bit of a pain.

One thing I have noticed also is that when bluetooth is on and I'm in the car, I cannot get ANY audio from my phone.  If I am a passenger and watching youtube vids, I cannot get any sound whatsoever.  I have to turn off Bluetooth.

[kidatply]

Yeah mine did that too, I finally figured out I needed to switch to Bluetooth on my radio and there was the sound, otherwise I forced to disconnect my Bluetooth pairing to get it to play in the phone.

[LouinNH]

Hi. I have been having this same issue and was able to finally resolve it. Unpair your phone with the car bluetooth, Go to the car and push the talk button on the steering wheel and when it says listening, turn the radio knob until you get to a menu option that says Setup. Select Setup and scroll until you find Initialize. Select Initialize and this will "reset" your bluetooth. Next, pair the phone using the same process (through the steering wheel). It may take one or two attempts to get this right, but it seems to be the fix. This morning, I warmed up my car (2012 Outback) and the bluetooth connected while I was in my house! Ah, first world problems... 🙂 In my opinion, this is clearly a Subaru issue and not Samsung or Verizon Wireless.

I hope this works for you.

[ooofest]

Per prior suggestions, I've completely removed the Bluetooth pairing for both the Forester and Galaxy S III, then re-paired both carefully.  Connecting will occur between the head unit and phone, but that is often unstable and slower to connect compared to before the phone's OS update from Samsung and Verizon.  Connection between my phone and Bluetooth headset shows the same issues.

Further, this reset of the Bluetooth connections gets incredible wonky and unstable when sharing the phone book - so, we've had to avoid that entirely.

[LouinNH]

Oofest, I had the same issue with my phone (randomly dropping bluetooth connection during calls) and it was infuriating. Try Bluetooth Keepalive from the Google Play store. It definitely fixed this problem. I love the S3, but I will admit it is annoying that I have had to download apps to fix some of these connectivity issues. VZW can frustrate me with their prices and fees, but I do think your problem is more related to Samsung than VZW.

My suggestion above was to help with the issue the phone not auto connecting to Bluetooth once the car starts. As I mentioned, re-initializing and pairing the phone via the steering wheel talk button was the fix. It has been working perfectly since I did this.  

Good luck!

[CForester]

Thank you for your efforts to get to the bottom of this.  I have a 2014 Outback with the Harmon Kardon and a Samsung Galaxy S3.  When I first got the car and paired the two everything worked fine.  A few weeks ago I started to get the 'bluetooth stopped working' message and the car and phone would disconnect.  Today it kept disconnecting during calls.  I checked and the software updated on 5/9/14 from ML1 to NC1.   Since the update was the only change (same car, same phone), I surmise that the problem is the software update.  I figure I'm in the same boat as everyone else in this thread.

So, my plan, since I'm not getting rid of the 2014 Subaru, is to see if Verizon and Samsung can fixe the problem.  If not, when my contract is up, I'll start looking for a different phone and perhaps a different carrier. 

[e-ec-ecu · Accepted solution]

UPDATE: 20 June 2014

Just got the Verizon Wireless Kit Kat Update (4.4.2) for my Galaxy S3.

I unpaired the devices (disconnected from both phone and car) and then re-paired the devices.

I let them pair and when the phone asked to allow access to contacts, I clicked Yes.

When the phone asked to allow access to messages, I clicked Yes ... and then crossed my fingers.

IT WORKS!!!! Received messages displayed and sending messages works too!!!!!

Just letting everyone know.

[dwb1966]

Well, I was hopeful but Kit Kat didn't fix my SMS issues with UConnect in my 2012 SRT8 Charger. I really wish they would do something about this. My Droid Razr HD worked with it fine before the update so I switched to my S3 without the update and still didn't work, now with this update still no luck....sigh