Blog :: How-To :: Connecting your Apple iPhone to the Bose® Sounddock® Speaker System
Connecting your Apple iPhone to the Bose® Sounddock® Speaker System
By Your Electronic Warehouse
July 2, 2007
Bose iPod Speakers
Bose® SoundDock® Digital Music System for iPod
iPhone Speaker Dock
Bose® SoundDock® Portable Digital Music System for iPod
Portable Speaker Dock
The Bose Sounddock works as an iPhoneTM speaker dock to listen to the music on your iPhone. A few notes about connecting your iPhone to the Bose Sounddock:
- Dock Inserts
The iPhone does not ship with an Apple universal dock insert. The iPhone does fit into the large dock insert that is included with the Bose Sounddock. Apple also sells an accessory kit called ‘iPhone Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack’. This will enable the iPhone to connect to the iPod Universal Dock and other products that use the Universal Dock system. - Docking the iPhone and Bose Sounddock
When docking the iPhone with the Bose Sound Dock, the iPhone will display the following message: This accessory is not made to work with iPhone. Would you like to turn on Airplane Mode to reduce audio interference? Either way, the audio or control of the iPhone via the Sounddock will work as normal. Users may also experience a brief bout of audio feedback while docking the iPhone.- Airplane Mode
When in airplane mode, the iPhone will not access any data source that requires an Internet connection or make or receive any telephone calls. Airplane Mode is designed to prevent any possible interference including audio feedback during an incoming telephone call. All iPod functionality of the iPhone will work. - Standard Mode
If “No” is selected when prompted to go into Airplane Mode, all features of the iPhone will function normally, including receiving phone calls and data access. When receiving an incoming phone call, the user will experience some minimal audio feedback from the Sounddock. When an incoming phone call comes in while listening to music via the iPod function, the iPhone will automatically turn down and pause the music to allow for the phone to ring and be heard. The iPhone will then prompt the user to “Decline” or “Answer” the incoming call. If the phone call is declined, the iPhone will automatically un-pause the music and turn itself back up to the previous listening volume.
- Airplane Mode
- Sounddock Remote Usage
All buttons, except the OFF button, on the Bose Sounddock remote will function normally. Since the iPhone requires simultaneous pressing of two buttons to power down completely, when it’s docked, the Sounddock remote OFF button will act as PLAY/PAUSE. - Charging the iPhone
The iPhone will charge while docked in the Bose Sounddock including during music playback. - iPhone Speakerphone Functionality
The current iPhone does not support speakerphone capabilities via the docking interface, so phone calls will not be broadcast through the dock connector output to the Bose Sounddock.
Posted in How-To
August 9th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I tried this at a store choosing airplane mode when the selection presented. It did not work. It also knocked the sound off my iPhone. I had to sync the phone on my PC to return the sound function on the iPhone.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:37 am
We checked with Bose technical support, and there are no known issues with the Bose Sounddock and Apple iPhone. Occasionally there will be a problem with the iPhone that can be corrected by resetting the iPhone and Sounddock. To reset the iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears. To reset the Sounddock, unplug the power cable to the Sounddock for 10 seconds and then plug it back in.
September 21st, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Is the model you have for $299 the latest from Bose or is there a newer one that recently came on the market, which Bose is selling for $399. Thank you. Derek.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Derek,
Bose just recently came out with a newer model of the SoundDock($299) called the SoundDock Portable($399). The Sounddock Portable runs on a lithium-ion powered battery and can be used anywhere you want. It has a lot of neat new features that sets it apart from the older Sounddock. Take a look at it here.
October 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I just purchased a Bose sounddock for my iPhone, however, I’m already experiencing problems. First of all, even on airplane mode, I’m still getting the annoying audio feedback. Secondly, my iPhone gets really hot while hooked up to the sounddock. And lastly, when playing, it will occasionally lock up and I have to reset my phone. I’m not sure what the problem is, but everytime now I push the wake/sleep button to check for calls, my phone automatically resets (taking a good thirty seconds everytime). Now I’m missing phone calls, etc. This stinks. Any suggestions?
October 8th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Jeremy,
This is a very rare occurrence, I suggest contacting Bose Technical Support. They should be able to walk you through any problems you are experiencing.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Is it possible to connect this speaker to iMac?
I mean audio out from iMac to the sounddock interface.
Thanks,
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:25 am
Methee,
You can’t connect an iMac to this particular Sounddock, but the new Bose Sounddock Portable has two auxiliary inputs that will work with any auxiliary cables. If you connect your iMac to the Sounddock Portable using auxiliary cables this will work.
November 13th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Hello, i have the iphone and i`m looking some speakers. I`d like to know if the bose sounddock portable or the bose sounddock digital Music System are going to work with my iphone, speakers and remote control.
Also i don`t understand this:
“NOTE: The Bose SoundDock Portable works with iPod® models including the iPod Touch and any iPod featuring a click wheel, including all nano, mini, photo, video, and classic models. Also plays music with iPhone™. (In the event of audio interference, set iPhone to Airplane Mode.)”
This means that they work with any ipod (all functions including remote control??), and when it says: “plays music with iphone (the remote doesn`t work¿?¿¿
Thank you. Please respond…this is my second e-mail.
November 14th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Pablo,
This article is focused on the original Bose SoundDock. Since we wrote this article, Bose has come out with the SoundDock Portable Digital Music System which has full functionality with the iPhone. It also runs on a lithium ion battery so you can take it wherever you want and has auxiliary inputs so other devices can be connected to it. The original SoundDock will work with the iPhone but the remote has limited functionality, this is not the case with the SoundDock Portable. I would highly suggest that you get the SoundDock Portable since it was built to work with the iPhone. Follow the link i have provided above to check out the SoundDock Portable.
You also asked about the statement (In the event of audio interference, set iPhone to Airplane Mode.) All this is saying is that if you hear outside interference over the speaker airplane mode will eliminate it.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:59 am
if one does not switch to airplane mode while the iphone is docked, would it affect the iphone in any way?
November 30th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Ritika,
No the iPhone won’t be affected if not turned to airplane mode. All airplane mode does is turn the cellphone in the iPhone off, this eliminates any interference that the cell phone may cause to the SoundDock.
February 17th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Why does my iPhone get so HOT when hooked up to the SoundDock?
February 18th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Maria,
The heat comes from the power being sent to the battery while its charging. It probably seems hotter than normal because when its connected to the SoundDock, the screen is on, the hard drive is running plus it is charging. All three of these things will cause it to be warmer than normal. I wouldn’t worry about it if it hasn’t harmed your iPhone.