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How Badly Did One UI 7 Break Samsung Galaxy Bluetooth Connections for Thousands of Users?
Samsung Galaxy users are experiencing widespread Bluetooth connectivity problems after installing the One UI 7 update, with reports flooding support forums and Reddit communities. The issues primarily affect popular models including the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S21 Ultra, and Z Fold series, creating significant disruptions for users trying to connect to car infotainment systems, earbuds, and smartwatches.
Widespread Connectivity Problems
The Bluetooth issues manifest in multiple ways across affected devices. Users report intermittent connections where devices connect briefly before disconnecting automatically. Others experience complete connection failures, with phones refusing to pair with previously working devices despite multiple attempts.
A temporary workaround involves restarting the phone, but this solution provides only brief relief. Once users disconnect and attempt to reconnect their Bluetooth devices, the problems typically resurface immediately.
User Experiences and Specific Issues
Community forum user “MIDTECHoldie” described their frustrating experience: “New here, received the ui7 update, since then Bluetooth devices connect intermittently. I have to restart my phone before they connect again. Sometimes it seems like they are connected, then I answer a call or make a call, and the Bluetooth device will not pick up the call.”
Another user, “Nytshade79,” reported more severe complications: “I can get mine to connect to audio but not calls. I unpaired my car hoping it would fix it, but now I can’t re-pair my car. It shows up in my available devices list but won’t connect.” This indicates that troubleshooting attempts can worsen the situation, making devices completely unpairable.
Beyond Audio: Complete Connectivity Breakdown
The problems extend far beyond simple audio connections. Reddit user “IWasLegitOnce” on the r/oneui subreddit reported comprehensive connectivity failures: “Ever since the latest update, my S22 Ultra hasn’t been able to hold a stable connection with any device. My car Bluetooth, which before the update worked fine, no longer works. My watch, which before the update worked fine, no longer works. Any Bluetooth keyboard just doesn’t pair.”
Previous Beta Issues Resurface
These connectivity problems aren’t entirely unexpected. Similar Bluetooth issues were identified during the One UI 7 beta testing phase, particularly affecting users with Galaxy Watches. The persistence of these problems in the stable release suggests that Samsung may not have adequately addressed the underlying connectivity issues before the public rollout.
Ineffective Workarounds
Affected users have attempted various troubleshooting methods, including:
- Clearing cache partition
- Resetting network settings
- Toggling developer options like “Bluetooth SAP Activation”
However, these solutions have proven largely temporary or completely ineffective for most users experiencing the connectivity problems.
User Frustration and Samsung Response
The affected user community is expressing growing frustration with the severity of these issues. Many users question why a fundamental feature like Bluetooth connectivity would be so dramatically impacted by a software update. The consensus among affected users is an urgent need for Samsung to prioritize developing and releasing a comprehensive patch to address these widespread connectivity problems.