IOS 14 CarPlay Audio Issue (crackling sounds)

According to this posts most frequented commenter this, the dog-cow guy, what your saying can’t be true since he claims Apple never broke CarPlay in the first place. I will try to throw the beta on and test it out for ya. Would be nice if the solution is right around the corner though!

[Edited by Moderator]

By your username, it looks like you might have a Nissan GT-R?

I'm only asking because this has been a major issue in - and across - all of my Nissan cars (currently a 2021 Maxima; previously 2019). From my experience, it's unfortunately a Nissan problem - hardware, wiring, or software.

My issue - dating back three years - is that I get crackling on phone calls (and sometimes Siri replies). Audio (music) does not have this problem - Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, SiriusXM, Spotify, etc. are okay.

I've tried multiple phones, multiple iOS (v12 > v14.7.1), multiple USB-A and USB-C cables..

and had the head unit -and- USB ports (USB-A/USB-C combo) replaced...

@lindros2

So I have a 2021 Nissan Titan Pro 4x and just had them replace the whole radio in the truck because of the crackling. At first it did not crackle and now it does again. So my old radio and the brand new radio are doing the same thing. Sounds like a Nissan problem since you experience the same in all of your Nissans. FM/ Sirius/ Bluetooth streaming.... no issues. Only when I connect the phone via the lightening cable. Worked fine in the loaner Versa they gave me but the truck.... not so much.

Maybe Nissan needs a Carplay update for their radios...

I am interested if anyone figures it out. Very frustrating.

An update. Mine plays fine until start using a navigation app (Maps, Waze…). Once I tap on one of those, crackling starts. Seems to be some interference with Spotify or whatever audio app and whatever navigation app. Not sure if this is on the Apple side or the Nissan side. It’s a brand new radio so I’m betting it’s an IOS software glitch.

thanks!! just booked in for service and asked them to look at it, do you have any idea what software version you were on before the update? no worries if not. I looked on the Skoda update website and it says there's no update for my car but hoping the garage can sort it anyway

Having the same popping issue playing Apple Music on my iPhone 12 Pro Max via USB to my Uconnect system on my 2016 Challenger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker. I thought I’d was just via streaming that this was happening, however, music downloaded to the device is also having the same problem. I don’t remember noticing right after ios14. However, I certainly noticed after Apple upgraded their music to Lossless.

Also, not noticing the popping via Tidal, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Music and Mix-Cloud.

So I have been doing a test this week with mine. I will only use Spotify or another music app on my iPhone 12 Pro. I will not use any of the navigation apps (Waze, Maps, Google Maps) and the music has not crackled, popped, or gotten static. Now as soon as I launch a navi app on my phone, BOOM!! Music starts sounding like you know what with crackling and such. So it is either a software conflict on the IOS or with my trucks radio.

I’ve had the same experience. The Waze app has had known issues in the past with CarPlay and playback volume/quality. So I think this is the most plausible cause for those who have updated the head unit to the latest software, but are still experiencing playback issues. It’s on the dev’s of these navigation apps and Apple to come up with the solution at this point

So, after having taken my car - Skoda Fabia Combi 2018FL - to the dealer for a firmware update, my iPhones with iOS 14.x no longer have noise during CarPlay.

But: Can I safely upgrade to iOS 15? Has anyone tried?

I have the same issue in my BRAND NEW 2021 Ram 1500. The issue is exactly as described in this thread. Its fine at the beginning but once it gets the first *crackle* around 5-10 minutes into the drive, it becomes a constant nagging presence until I unplug my phone. Even when I unplug my phone, it just comes back again 5-10 minutes later. I've replaced the cord twice, tried different usb/ usb-c ports, updated my phone, restarted my phone. Nothing works. It 100% has to be a software problem and I think the others in this thread can agree. It makes Carplay unusable. Its a nuisance that makes this wonderful feature useless.

Apple.. Please fix this issue! IOS 15 came out recently with no mention of a fix on this bug. We don't need fancy maps or other novelty features. We need reliable function of your most commonly used offerings. Carplay being one of them. Please fix this issue this so I can start using Carplay again.

Same for me with my COTS JBL: it was fine with iOS13, never worked with iOS14 and is now fine again with iOS15 never changed the iPhone 8 in between)!

What still worries me is the fact that it is obviously an iOS14 issue for at least me but in many other cases, Car manufactures pushed firmware updates!? Let‘s see how this topic is evolving…

Still very much an issue with ios15

its clear it’s a bandwidth issue between the phone and radio.

crackling on audio and calls occurs when opening another app such as navigation whilst on a call.

If I keep the main screen on the call, no crackling, click on nav and crackling instantly starts.

come on Apple this has been an issue for 3 years!

This is happening to me as well. Only happens in the 2020 Kia Soul I drive for work. When it happens I switch to the radio and back to media and it corrects itself. It’s gotta be a problem with apple CarPlay. I’m hooked up via USB and it happens. Most recent was a few min ago after putting the car in reverse and the backup camera popping up.

rather annoying.

I get crackling. CarPlay with Music via USB - brand new VW. After playing OK for a while the music starts to distort. If I turn off the infotainment system (i..e hit the on/off swtich, not turn the car off) then turn it on again the crackling goes away and music plays OK. Then, some random time later (always < 30 mins or so) it happens again - and the off/on clears it.

I suspect it's because the phone is doing something in the background. I'll play around a bit and see if I can work out what it is and post back here if I get anything.

@Apple

This is clearly a bug that deserves appropriate attention. CarPlay is unusable since the software update. The issue is most noticeable on phone calls which become unintelligible. Please address ASAP