Connecting your phone to your Subaru is easier than you think. Whether you’re navigating Plymouth Meeting’s icy roads or commuting into Philadelphia, hands-free calling and streaming your favorite music significantly enhance the experience. Modern Subaru vehicles offer impressive phone-friendly technology that supports nearly all smartphones. Our team at John Kennedy Subaru provides you with everything you need to know for an effortless Bluetooth connection.
Understanding Your Subaru’s Bluetooth System
Your Subaru’s Bluetooth connects through the STARLINK system that controls your car’s technology features. This system facilitates hands-free calling, music streaming, text notifications, and smartphone app integration, as well as Wi-Fi hot spots and smartphone integration platforms. Every Subaru provides reliable Bluetooth connectivity that integrates seamlessly with your phone’s features. Every new Subaru includes Bluetooth as a standard feature, which is compatible with most smartphones and Subaru models from 2015 and later. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported in some 2023 and later models.
How To Connect Your Phone to Subaru Bluetooth
Pairing your phone is straightforward if you follow the correct procedure. Start your Subaru and make sure it’s in park — the system prevents pairing while you’re driving. On your dashboard screen, navigate to Home, Settings, and Bluetooth. Look for “Add Device” or “Pair New Device” and select it. Open your phone’s Bluetooth settings and scan for available devices until you see a device listed, such as SUBARU BT.
Select your Subaru’s name to start the pairing process. Both your phone and the car’s screen will display a PIN. Verify that they match and press the “Pair” option on your smartphone. If you have a 2025 Forester, the process is as follows: Select Settings on your touch screen, navigate to Phone, then Manage Devices, and finally Add. Then connect via the Bluetooth settings on your phone. If you encounter any issues, our team at John Kennedy Subaru is well-versed in these systems and can usually help you get connected in a few minutes.
Setting Up Your Phone Features After Pairing
After Subaru Bluetooth pairing, you can set up all the useful features. Your Subaru will likely prompt you to sync your contacts, allowing you to make calls using voice commands or by tapping names on the screen. You can also set up favorite numbers for quick dialing and choose which notifications appear on your dashboard display.
It’s also worth setting up voice commands, which allow you to access Siri or Google Assistant without taking your hands off the steering wheel. If multiple family members are driving the same car, the system can remember several paired devices. If you carry both a work and personal phone, you’ll want to designate which one connects automatically when you start the car. This feature is referred to as device priority, and it prevents confusion when both phones are in range.
Making Calls Through Subaru Bluetooth
Your Subaru provides several ways to make hands-free calls. Press the voice button on your steering wheel and say “call” followed by the person’s name. If you prefer not to use voice commands, the touch screen displays your contacts, recent calls, and favorites with buttons that are easy to tap while parked. Most people find the steering wheel controls most convenient since you can answer, hang up, or mute calls without taking your eyes off the road.
Call quality is impressive thanks to microphones located throughout the cabin that capture your voice clearly. Even older Subaru models work well with newer smartphones. Users have successfully synced iPhone 12 phonebooks to the hands-free system in the 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5 Limited model, although compatibility may depend on software differences. If you need to take a private call, you can transfer it back to your phone with the press of a button. Conference calls work well through the car system by using your phone’s conference features and directing audio through the car’s speakers.
Streaming Audio Via Bluetooth
Playing music through Bluetooth allows you to access your entire music collection while driving. You can use the touch screen or steering wheel buttons to switch to Bluetooth audio. Cycle through the audio sources until you find Bluetooth Audio or Phone Audio. You can manage playback from your car’s controls or phone. Steering wheel buttons allow you to play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume.
Although the audio quality is adequate for most listeners, it may not match the quality of wired connections for audiophiles. The Ascent’s premium Harman Kardon QuantumLogic system, featuring 14 speakers, delivers fantastic sound for streamed content. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek does not support high-quality Bluetooth codecs and lacks audio over USB options for Android devices, leading some users to consider hardwired digital-to-audio converter solutions. Most music streaming apps and podcast players work well through Bluetooth.
Subaru Bluetooth Troubleshooting
Even reliable technology can occasionally malfunction. Common issues include pairing failures, random disconnections, poor audio quality, and phones that fail to reconnect automatically. Begin with the simplest solution. Delete the pairing from both your phone and the car’s memory, then restart the process. This clears corrupted connection data that may be causing issues.
Software updates are available for Subaru vehicles equipped with Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation systems to optimize performance and functionality. Most systems remember five to 10 devices. If your car’s Bluetooth memory is full, remove old pairings to make room for new ones. Keep your phone’s operating system up to date, as outdated software can cause compatibility issues with older phones. Android Auto troubleshooting involves using high-quality USB cables, updating phone software, and restarting both your phone and vehicle if problems persist. When DIY fixes don’t work, our trained technicians can run diagnostic tests to solve connectivity problems.
Experience Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Properly setting up your Subaru’s Bluetooth enhances every outing. Whether you’re navigating Plymouth Meeting’s winter conditions or exploring Pennsylvania’s scenic routes, hands-free calling and access to your favorite music make the journey more enjoyable. The Subaru STARLINK systems work with practically any smartphone, keeping you connected to family and work without compromising your safety on the road. If you need help troubleshooting your current system, visit John Kennedy Subaru for help. With 2025 models offering wireless connections and premium audio systems, it’s the perfect time to discover how Subaru’s technology can transform your daily commute.
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