iPhone - Possible to charge phone but continue playing sound over Bluetooth?

[Kung Fu English]

iPhone 4S. Every time I plug my phone into the USB to charge it, it changes the media audio from Bluetooth to transferring via plug in. While this is fine, it is quite annoying every time after this I don't want to plug it in when I have to go into Menu > Tel > devices > Options > Bluetooth Setup > Check Audio on.

Is there some way to just keep the audio playing over bluetooth when the phone is plugged in?

[M3AG]

it seems you are using the cradle. Try using the USB cable instead.

[highmodulus]

Maybe use a car charger instead of the USB?

[Amirsm3]

You could just keep it plugged in and not sweat streaming over bluetooth.

[Johndong888]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

iPhone 4S. Every time I plug my phone into the USB to charge it, it changes the media audio from Bluetooth to transferring via plug in. While this is fine, it is quite annoying every time after this I don't want to plug it in when I have to go into Menu > Tel > devices > Options > Bluetooth Setup > Check Audio on.

Is there some way to just keep the audio playing over bluetooth when the phone is plugged in?

The best way to do this is to buy another USB car charger in the car. It's like no more than 5-10 bucks. Op wants to do it this because on the Cic navi platform, everytime you plug it in the USB, the Bluetooth audio will be disable unless you reenable it. I assume op uses Bluetooth streaming a majority of the time

[skypx]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

iPhone 4S. Every time I plug my phone into the USB to charge it, it changes the media audio from Bluetooth to transferring via plug in. While this is fine, it is quite annoying every time after this I don't want to plug it in when I have to go into Menu > Tel > devices > Options > Bluetooth Setup > Check Audio on.

Is there some way to just keep the audio playing over bluetooth when the phone is plugged in?

Do you have the usb connection in the glove box? If you connect the phone there it will not disconnect BT.

[dparm]

Bluetooth audio quality is inferior to the USB connection anyway. Not sure why you'd want to use BT if you have the option of USB.

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by dparm

Bluetooth audio quality is inferior to the USB connection anyway. Not sure why you'd want to use BT if you have the option of USB.

This. It's also much easier than having to deal with the iDrive menu every time you plug your phone in to charge it.

I have my phone running through the BT so that I'm still handsfree when I use my phone, but I'm connected through USB as far as music is concerned.

[Kung Fu English]

Bluetooth audio quality is inferior to the USB connection anyway. Not sure why you'd want to use BT if you have the option of USB.

Judgy much?

I do not have a cradle. I have phone plugged into arm rest USB port.

I don't actually listen to music through the phone very often. Usually, when I drive 10-15 mins to work I am listening to Sirius XM and phone in pocket. If I am going to listen to phone, I'm not going to take the time to connect to USB for a 10 minute drive. It's awkward to plug it in every single drive.

Half the time, however, I work at a place 45 mins away. On these drives I often listen to a podcast. Audio quality doesn't matter. If I don't need the charge, I just let it play over bluetooth because I forget about it and it's easier.

If I need the charge on a long drive or if I need a charge on a short drive I will plug it in. But then next time I'm in the car I can't listen over BT.

Additionally, some of the podcast apps don't really work well over USB. It will play for 15 seconds then just stop and pause the playback etc. Works fine over BT though. It's weird I dunno why it acts this way but it does.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

Judgy much?

Not trying to be judgmental, I'm simply asking why you're using Bluetooth. Sounds like a convenience thing, which is fine -- it's your car and your ears.

I don't have any issues playing back podcasts with the USB connection. I have a 5s on iOS 7.1.

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

Judgy much?

I do not have a cradle. I have phone plugged into arm rest USB port.

I don't actually listen to music through the phone very often. Usually, when I drive 10-15 mins to work I am listening to Sirius XM and phone in pocket. If I am going to listen to phone, I'm not going to take the time to connect to USB for a 10 minute drive. It's awkward to plug it in every single drive.

Half the time, however, I work at a place 45 mins away. On these drives I often listen to a podcast. Audio quality doesn't matter. If I don't need the charge, I just let it play over bluetooth because I forget about it and it's easier.

If I need the charge on a long drive or if I need a charge on a short drive I will plug it in. But then next time I'm in the car I can't listen over BT.

Additionally, some of the podcast apps don't really work well over USB. It will play for 15 seconds then just stop and pause the playback etc. Works fine over BT though. It's weird I dunno why it acts this way but it does.

Is both your car and phone updated to the most current software?

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by Amirsm3

Is both your car and phone updated to the most current software?

Not sure about car but the car was built April 2013 so I'd assume so.

Phone is but it's a 4gs so clearly a bit dated. My 2 years is up soon, can't wait for that.

[highmodulus]

Originally Posted by dparm

Bluetooth audio quality is inferior to the USB connection anyway. Not sure why you'd want to use BT if you have the option of USB.

How is it inferior? Digital is digital, right?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by highmodulus

How is it inferior? Digital is digital, right?

No, because A2DP does things with compression to fit the audio into the bandwidth it has. It is not bitstreaming (passing unaltered digital audio) to the car -- you have to use a USB connection for that. Newer A2DP/Bluetooth versions have improved upon this, but it is still not as good as plugging in. There is a noticeable drop in audio quality, even with a medium-bitrate MP3/AAC.