Fairphone 6 Bluetooth headset issue: mic is not being used

Help Fairphone 6
1

hey community!

trying my luck here, out of ideas:

I have two different bluetooth headsets (Both JBL - the Live Pro+ TWS and the Tour Pro 2). Neither of them works correctly with my Fairphone 6 - while I can connect them and they work fine for audio playback, the microphone doesn’t work on either of them. No matter the app, the phone defaults to the built in microphone instead of the bluetooth headsets. All apps have the correct permissions. The headsets are being displayed with the headset icon in the bluetooth connections, the device type specifies "headset” in the bluetooth specifications. I have reset all bluetooth connections and all connection settings, deleted all devices and paired them again, installed all current updates for fairphone and the headsets, restarted the fairphone, tried in safe mode - nothing works. The headphones are working as they should (i.e. the microphone is picking up sound and is being selected automatically) on all other devices (phones, android & Ios, Mac Os, Windows) in our household, so I’m very convinced that it is a fairphone specific software issue.

I’ve also been running into other bluetooth issues with the Fairphone, where I can see devices but can’t connect to them (Philipps HUE Lamps, via Bluetooth and Philipps HUE app) - but I’m not sure that is related.

Maybe anyone here has another idea on what to try? Would appreciate any leads!

Thank you and have a wonderful day :slight_smile:

2

I have issues here with the Sony WF-1000XM5 buds. Sound no issue, mic is not working half of the time. When I switch back to the older Samsung Galaxy Buds live, no issues.

Looks like an implementation issue with the bluetooth drivers.

3

thanks for your reply! good to know that it‘s not only me. How old are the Samsung Galaxy Buds? Just curious, because the Live Pro + TWS are also quite old already. Hope there will be an update soon :folded_hands:

4

The Sony buds were bought august ‘24, Samsung buds nov ‘21 and they were ‘run out’ then (the successors were already available).

5

I have the same issue with my Bose NC 700 Headphones and FP6. Is there any fix to this?

6

No, unfortunately not - so far. I am in contact with support about it. Maybe you also want to open a ticket with them?

7

While researching android 16 Bluetooth LE audio routing issues with my oticon intent hearing aids. I came across your post. I also had mic issues. Until I found in the Bluetooth settings you can select the default microphone for calls. Either the phone microphone or the headset microphone. Just a thought…..

8

I don’t see this setting. Could you specify the exact settings path and / or post a screenshot?

All I see is, in device individual settings “Device details”), the toggle for “Phone calls”.
Full settings path:
Settings > Connected devices > cogged wheel right of device name

The setting you mentioned might be specific to hearing aids whose use is I suppose a bit different from that of headset.

9

You maybe right. Although at the bottom of the screen they’re showing as headset. Sometimes I’ve noticed that the mic options disappears. Disconnecting the Bluetooth and reconnecting restored the option.

Settings>connected devices>cog

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10

Thanks!
It is clear that the choice of microphone is specific to your device, so not to be expected necessarily for headsets in general.

Mostly headsets just offer the option to handle phone calls. To my mind that would automatically include using the headset mic.

Cases where a “Phone calls” option is enabled by the user should implement the headset microphone.

As I understand the vocabulary, “headset” implies the availability of a microphone. “Headphones” does not but does not preclude microphone either.

11

Ok. I’ve never seen that option with my hearing aids before on android 15. So I was thinking it’s new for android 16 or a new LE audio option.
Unfortunately my oticon intent hearing aids are not playing nicely with Fairphone 6 on android 16.
Any audio played on the top speaker is not routed to my hearing aids.
So I’ll see what support can do, before deciding my next step.

12

It could well be, but I think specific ro your device.

I noticed in your screenshot that “Device type” is set to “Headphones”.
Have you tried setting it to " Hearing device"?

13

It doesn’t allow me to change it. Except when they are first paired. But then when I go back to check it’s changed to headphones.
Something for the experts to figure out I guess.
And if not, the phone will go back in the shoebox under the bed :disappointed_face:

14

Well, make sure you contact both Fairphone support and that of the aids manufacturer. Neither will be reading here …

15

Thanks. I’ve not heard from Fairphone support yet.
Oticon responded within an hour yesterday (Sunday). I’m only saying. :blush:

Since your Fairphone 6 (Android/Google OS 16) is not listed on the compatibility page, the routing behavior is likely dependent on manufacturer-specific audio controls and LE Audio implementation, which can vary significantly between devices.

:backhand_index_pointing_right: In this case, it’s a good step that you’ve already contacted Fairphone—they are typically more familiar with device-level audio routing settings and limitations, and they’ll be best positioned to confirm whether full audio streaming to hearing aids can be supported or adjusted on your model.

16

So you are having issues wirh hearing aids, which has often different or additional issuses. Did you search the forum for hearing-aid ?

17

Yes. I’ve searched everywhere. Hearing aids are connected. Audio that plays through the bottom speaker goes to my hearing aids. But audio like my door bell camera plays though the top speaker and doesn’t get routed to my hearing aids.

Just waiting on Support to repond before I decide what to do next.