Honda SMS App and iPhone not compatible?

Is the built in Honda SMS app not compatible with iPhones? Or is there something I need to do to make it work. It suggests checking to set notifications to on, but they are set on my phone.

Would be nice to have messaging without needing to plug in through CarPlay.

elvin said:

Is the built in Honda SMS app not compatible with iPhones? Or is there something I need to do to make it work. It suggests checking to set notifications to on, but they are set on my phone.

Would be nice to have messaging without needing to plug in through CarPlay.

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Receiving (but not sending) SMS messages and notifications via Bluetooth/HandsFreeLink should be compatible with iPhones based on info I've found:

• Phone compatibility: https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/5554-post10.html
• Bluetooth features w/ iPhone: https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/7480-post36.html
• The system won't display any received messages while driving; you can only hear them read aloud rather than a visual pop-up.

I've been trying to get this to work for my iPhone/Insight as well, without luck so far. The system only receives SMS messages, and I have both "SMS messaging" and "Notifications" on for messaging on my phone. I've tried removing/re-pairing phone after making these setting changes, but still not seeing any messages. Like you, I'd prefer getting this Bluetooth feature to work, instead of CarPlay requirement.

@elvin - I finally received my first SMS messages via Bluetooth/HandsFreeLink a couple days ago, after a couple months of testing!

As described, I had already tried turning bluetooth notifications on, activated "SMS Messaging," re-paired my phone, etc. - but hadn't had luck. However this week, I happened to enter my car with airplane mode "on" and switched it "off" while in my car. Two SMS messages immediately popped up (plus a 3rd one the following day). It was definitely a moment of joy. There's a sound notification and an "SMS bubble" that appears in the top right corner when the messages come in.

If you still haven't had luck with SMS messaging over Bluetooth/HFL, maybe try toggling airplane mode on/off to see if it helps you as well -?

Getting SMS messages without the CarPlay 'umbilical cord' is a much more convenient feature, in my opinion...

That's definitely good news. My TomTom in the Civic supports Siri wirelessly along with messaging (along with other notifications) so fewer wireless features seemed to be a step back. Doesn't look like wireless Siri support is there in the Insight, but will try getting "SMS" to work over the weekend. (Still using both cars).

@insightfully - I think I found something more informative. I googled it and found:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6769211

Possibly a more reliable solution than airplane mode toggle each time you step in.

elvin said:

@insightfully - I think I found something more informative. I googled it and found:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6769211

Possibly a more reliable solution than airplane mode toggle each time you step in.

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I've only toggled airplane mode on once, and it's worked since then (but not before). I thought your original post mentioned you knew about confirming bluetooth notifications were on and/or that you had already attempted (?); the article essentially lists the same "notifications" check.

I had activated notifications previously, removed my phone connection to the car, and re-paired the phone but hadn't had luck receiving SMS until the airplane mode toggle.

If you find something different other than the notification setting, I'm interested in knowing - just in case this SMS success is short-lived.

I too don't like to tether my phone and use Android Auto - sometimes I will, but mostly just Bluetooth connection is fine.
The other day I got a notification of "email from Kathy". But it wasn't, it was actually MMS. And there was no way to read it or listen to it anyway!
I understand the dilemma with MMS: it might contain a photo, but it might just be a multi-person conversation. It's really stupid that Honda (a) doesn't just offer to read the text, if present and (b) tells me that it's email.

The apple solution worked for me. On your iPhone just click on your Honda Insight bluetooth setting (in Genera/Bluetooth) and slide the notification to On (green). Then restart the car and it should work like a champ (w/o having to plug into Apple Car Play). Hope this helps!

hvysnow said:

The apple solution worked for me. On your iPhone just click on your Honda Insight bluetooth setting (in Genera/Bluetooth) and slide the notification to On (green). Then restart the car and it should work like a champ (w/o having to plug into Apple Car Play). Hope this helps!

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Good to know it worked as it should. Do you have a newer model iPhone? I tried the notification slider and it didn't work even after deleting and adding back the phone. Airplane mode toggle somehow was the magic my phone needed.

insightfully said:

I've only toggled airplane mode on once, and it's worked since then (but not before). I thought your original post mentioned you knew about confirming bluetooth notifications were on and/or that you had already attempted (?); the article essentially lists the same "notifications" check.

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My mistake was checking notifications for iOS Messages...not notifications for Bluetooth HFL. When I got the message reminder on the Insight display, I thought it just said "notifications." They're turned on now...will test by tomorrow.

...now if only Honda/Garmin nav was as good as Google Maps (or Apple Maps) then I could truly untether. I do like that Honda nav relays to the driver information display, where I'd believe that would never happen for Google/Apple maps.

I've got an iPhone XR, maybe the newer model acts differently. I'm glad the airplane mode worked for you.

elvin said:

My mistake was checking notifications for iOS Messages...not notifications for Bluetooth HFL. When I got the message reminder on the Insight display, I thought it just said "notifications." They're turned on now...will test by tomorrow.

...now if only Honda/Garmin nav was as good as Google Maps (or Apple Maps) then I could truly untether. I do like that Honda nav relays to the driver information display, where I'd believe that would never happen for Google/Apple maps.

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If you don’t like the nav on the instrument panel you should be able to remove it in the configuration settings. I personally like it there, and have learned to really prefer the Honda/Garmin setup after taking several long cross country trips.

elvin said:

Ok. I confirmed yesterday that with notifications on, the Honda SMS app will display and read messages I receive on the iPhone. What isn't available is the option to reply. I'll try switching airplane mode on and off next time, but I doubt it'll be any good. Is this simply a feature we don't have for iPhones?

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Correct, per earlier post #2 in this thread, and related thread here.

Bluetooth/HFL only supports basic things like handsfree calling, bluetooth audio, and receiving texts. Replying to texts and using phone navigation requires CarPlay connection.

I don't feel compelled to be connected EVERY minute of my day, so I'm satisfied with seeing messages while driving, and replying from my phone at a later time (OR calling the sender back immediately if needed). The cordless aspects of Bluetooth/HandsFreeLink features are more helpful to me than the replying.

Thanks again @insightfully for reminding me of the past threads and posts. Would think that I'd remember the mentions. (can only think that my brain is managing info overload). Definitely can do without the canned reply feature and there's always pressing the home button on the phone for Siri even if you are not in CarPlay.

Even if you’re not connected to CarPlay, you can also respond/send texts via Siri with a long hold of your voice command button on the steering wheel (rather than your phone’s home button).

krys18 said:

Even if you’re not connected to CarPlay, you can also respond/send texts via Siri with a long hold of your voice command button on the steering wheel (rather than your phone’s home button).

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One trade off of using the steering wheel voice command button for Siri while on Bluetooth is that it switches you to listening to BT audio rather than returning you to whatever audio source you were listening to before. Pressing home button on phone (while BT connected) returns you to your previous audio source. This would seem to be something that could be fixed in a patch.

While connected via Carplay, both buttons return you back to your previous audio source properly.

MidAtlanticWhiteOrchird said:

I’m having issues setting up the SMS Texting through Bluetooth with my iPhone. Says my notifications are not set on, but it is. Anyone having the same issue?
this exact thing is happening to me, have you figured how to correct it yet?

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ecdoesit said:

this exact thing is happening to me, have you figured how to correct it yet?

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Check out this thread on "SMS and iPhone" to see if any of teh discussion there can help. Also to calibrate your expectations, Bluetooth/HFL only supports basic things like handsfree calling, bluetooth audio, and receiving texts. Replying to texts and using phone navigation requires CarPlay connection.