Bluetooth issue - Google Maps Voice Directions

i have the same problem with my iphone4s. music, phone calls, even standard siri requests like sending texts or having incoming ones read back, all route their audio through the car's speakers. but as soon as you request turn by turn instructions it immediately reverts to the iphone's weak, tinny speakers; essentially rendering apple's solution 100% useless.

since i have the prius c with built in navigation, i've tended to just use that instead. but since noticing this thread, i did a quick search on the issue and found this post, which might be helpful:

Turn by Turn directions no voice using...: Apple Support Communities

i'm going to try manually switching the audio input next time i'm in my vehicle, and i'll post back if it works. anyone else feel free to chime in if this is something that works for them too!

 

Hi. I just started experiencing a similar problem as OP in 2012 Prius. Google Maps app via iPhone 5 Bluetooth used to always interrupt radio and give voice directions. I really liked how it did this.

Overnight this stopped working and I can now only get directions if I choose bluetooth as the source. Weird! I've not changed any settings so am at a loss. I've disconnected and reconnected my phone with no luck. Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thx

 

You have to be listening to a phone audio source to hear the prompts. Whether it's Bluetooth Audio or iPod. Check the sound output path on the phone as well. The phone will handle mixing the audio with whatever other audio is playing on the device. You can't be listening to AM/FM and get prompts through the radio from the phone over Bluetooth, doesn't work that way.

 

It's odd, sometimes I can get it to play google maps/apple maps while I'm still listening to the FM radio but most of the time, I have to press media and listen to my music from my phone.

 

I have a Prius C1 with an iPhone 5 and navigation never comes through automatically. The problem is with the way the head unit handles the 2 different BT protocols. All of the siri prompts and a few other sounds come through the mono hands free profile, while navigation and most other sounds come through the high quality A2DP stereo profile. Unfortunately, only the hands free profile gets automatically switched in, so you hear these sounds automatically. The stereo A2DP profile requires you to select that input by hitting the Media button.

Whats worse, all of the notification sounds, like txt messages, appointments, notifications, are also A2DP, so you cant hear them unless you have the Media button selected (only when streaming bluetooth music), so you miss all of those notifications normally.

It's just another disappointing shortcoming. There are so many poorly implemented features in this car.