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September 21, 2007 12:00 AM PDT

Listen to iPhone music through a Bluetooth headset

by Ben Wilson
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One iPhone feature for which we've received a number of requests is the ability to listen to audio from music or videos through Bluetooth headsets -- especially stereo headsets like iSkin's Ceruleans F1 pair. Unfortunately, the iPhone doesn't (yet) have such capability built-in. iPhone Atlas reader Ken Fischer, however, made an interesting discovery: engaging the iPod function to listen to music/video audio while a call is taking place will allow you to hear said audio. Obviously this is not an ideal solution, but it proves that the iPhone at least harbors the capability to send music/video audio through Bluetooth headsets, and opens the door for software workarounds to trigger the throughput without the need for an active call.

Ken writes:

"I've always wanted to use a bluetooth headset with the iPhone for listening to music or video but it 'supposedly' doesn't work. Well, it does ... but only during an active phone call. First make a call and use your bluetooth headset, then while on the call, open up a song or a video and you will hear it through the headset. When the call ends, so does that ability. Perhaps someone can capitalize on this to make it work without the call."

UPDATE: It appears that you can also engage this functionality by going to the voicemail screen and clicking on the audio source button in the top right-hand corner, then selecting the bluetooth device and subsequently selecting the iPod function and playing audio. This method does not require an active phone call.

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

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by imtribble September 21, 2007 10:36 AM PDT
This is nothing new. You can do the same thing by going to the voicemail screen and clicking on the audio source button in the top right hand corner and selecting the bluetooth device. Then go over to the iPod tab and play the music. No need to make a phone call at all.
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by oceanites.mail September 21, 2007 1:37 PM PDT
Well. . . yes, can hear the music thru my Bluetooth device, but the sounds keeps roaring thru the iPhone speakers, too. How can the speaker be silenced?

Tx,
R
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by iphoneatlas1 September 22, 2007 2:49 PM PDT
Clicking on the audio source button in the top right-hand corner of the voicemail screen works with the Apple bluetooth headset but the speaker on the phone remains on as well. Does anyone know if it?s possible to change volume on the phone independently from the bluetooth headset? The sound quality is mediocre, but good enough for podcasts. If a call comes through I can take the call by hitting the button on the headset, but the only way I see to start the podcast again is from the phone itself. Thanks for the tip.
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by bers99 December 4, 2007 5:58 AM PST
Bluetooh is **** :(
regards, Mike
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by roywhitaker October 1, 2008 8:18 AM PDT
This is no work-around or hack! When is Apple going to fix this? I just bought a bluetooth stereo headset ASSUMING I could listen to music on a device built by the company that brought us the ipod for christ sake! ***? I'm sorely disappointed that the people that think of everything - did not.
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by mr.sudhirkd October 9, 2008 10:12 AM PDT
Hi,
I tried this but it didnt work, any of following reasons ?
1 - Its mentioned in one of the posts, that it works with apple iphone headset, is it different than any other ? i am trying on usual plantronics bluetooth..
2 - What is meant "iphone tab" ? , may be i am going to music in a wrong way..
3 - has iphone blocked this workaround ?

so weird, iphone has this problem..
thanks
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by Tocnaza November 11, 2008 9:25 AM PST
Very simple

Apple is NOT interested in enabling ipod music via bluetooth, because apple charges 4$ for every female connector sold in the ipod speakers dock stations.
So Apple is not interested in going wireless.
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by teapot0011 October 14, 2009 3:32 PM PDT
I bought a device called bluetrek st1 works great!!!!!!!!
by krd1537 December 30, 2008 8:36 PM PST
Well Apple may not be interested, but JayBird is!! They have the solution. You can purchase their stereo bluetooth headset that comes with a small adapter for the iPhone which allows you to receive calls AND listen to your music without all the "bubble gum & bailing wire" workaround! They're a bit pricey but I spent 120.00 for a Motorola H12 headset that lasted 6 months, so the JayBirds were worth the price for me.
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by used-cars February 17, 2009 7:37 PM PST
Thanks

used cars http://www.buycarandsellcar.com
by teapot0011 October 14, 2009 3:31 PM PDT
I bought a device called bluetrek st1 works great
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by bkwcnet November 27, 2009 10:32 PM PST
"going to the voicemail screen and clicking on the audio source button in the top right-hand corner, then selecting the bluetooth device and subsequently selecting the iPod function and playing audio"

I just tried this on the iPhone 3GS with OS 3.0 and it did not work. After selecting bluetooth headset, then the home button, then ipod button, then click on audio track -- here: my bluetooth headset is disconnected -- as the chime in my ear tells me, and the music plays on the iphone speaker.

I wish there was a way to use my bluetooth headset when not in a call !!! So frustrating!
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by jacquelinejay November 30, 2009 10:39 AM PST
This is an old article that's why. I used to be able to do this on my 2nd Gen iPhone but I am unable to on my 3GS unfortunately. I'm so bummed. I can only get music while on a call. I wonder why Apple would do such a thing to block the ability to get music on an earpiece.
by bugmenaught January 16, 2010 7:24 PM PST
If your iphone is jailbroken (e.g. with blackra1n, http://blackra1n.com/) then you can install the SBSettings and Bluetooth Mono SBSetting Addon from the Cydia app store and use your bluetooth earpiece to listen to the audio from your ipod or other phone apps (e.g. skype, etc). Confirmed on 3GS with 3.1.
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