Apple CarPlay keeps disconnecting (2021)

I think I *maybe* found a solution to this. At least for my 2021 Santa Fe, CarPlay is only available wirelessly -- which entails establishing both a Bluetooth and WiFi connection to the vehicle. While trying to troubleshoot this, I was just looking at Bluetooth issues but once I went into the details of the WiFi network from within iOS, I saw that the Low-Data Mode toggle had automatically been enabled. For some reason, my iPhone saw the car network as a hotspot and was limiting the data transmission between them. Normally, when my CarPlay would lose connection, the UI on the Nav Screen would go black but I would still be able to hear audio coming through the sound system. Once I turned off Low-Data Mode, the UI returned to the screen and I haven't had any disconnection issues arise since -- though it's only been a week or so.

Here's a support article to help you locate this toggle and please let me know if this works for you!

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210596

Ok, I have been tracking this forum and following this since we purchased a 2022 Hyundai Palisades with Wireless Carplay. At the time of purchase, I was using AT&T with an iPhone XR. We experienced all of the connectivity and "dropping" problems documented here. It was very frustrating as the wireless option was one of the benefits of buying a new vehicle.

Since then, I have upgraded my device to an iPhone 13 (5G) and more importantly, I switched to T-Mobile who - in my area - has stronger 5G coverage. After the switch, we have experienced ZERO drops with Apple Car Play. I went from constant drops... to ZERO drops. You can read that as you want, but this points to the problem being related to SIGNAL speed/strength from the wireless network to your device.

What I don't understand is why the device, which is locally connected to the car via bluetooth and local wifi drops screen projection when the signal to the device is poor (network). It shouldn't matter. Yes, the streaming content should pause (Streaming audio for Example) but the connection from the device to the car shouldn't be impacted by this.

I am not an engineer, so I don't have a fix. I can only explain my experience. This issue hasn't come up for me in 2 months. After I swapped carriers and moved to 5G, it just worked. Even when I don't have 5G coverage - which happens for sure as 5G coverage doesn't blanket my area yet.

So, look harder at your devices and your carriers. As mentioned above I still don't understand why signal strength impacts the connection to the car... but it seems to...

The only thing that makes any difference from what I’ve come across is:

Go to Mobile in settings, then go to mobile data options then in data mode, select it to allow more data on 5G. This has halved the amount of times my device has cut out. It still does but very rarely now.

This solution worked for me!

Fingers crossed it continues.

I do have to turn off the Low Data Mode on my phone (iPhone X) once it connects to the car wifi each time, but so much better than Apple CarPlay disconnecting all the time.

Thank you so much!

Hey,

I am also facing this issue with my new Kona Electric since I picked up the car.

Recently when I - once again - was trying to figure out why the **** CarPlay keeps disconnecting I noticed that everytime the connection gets lost, the audio system shows that tiny icon on the top right corner of its display indicating that a bluetooth connection is established. I thought that maybe the audio system might switch the connection from WiFi based CarPlay to bluetooth and then again back which is why I've set up a shortcut on my phone that is going to disable bluetooth when CarPlay is connected and the other way round.

Yesterday I've done a 2 hour trip with my family and my CarPlay connection broke exactly once, right at the beginning of the trip. But that might eventually have happened in case the audio system first establishes the bluetooth connection and afterwards the wireless CarPlay connection. Possibly there would have been not a single connection loss if I would have disabled bluetooth manually on the phone instead of letting a shortcut do so.

Before disabling bluetooth, my connection dropped like every 3 - 5 minutes approximately, which was an absolute pain.

Ok, I have been tracking this forum and following this since we purchased a 2022 Hyundai Palisades with Wireless Carplay. At the time of purchase, I was using AT&T with an iPhone XR. We experienced all of the connectivity and "dropping" problems documented here. It was very frustrating as the wireless option was one of the benefits of buying a new vehicle.

Since then, I have upgraded my device to an iPhone 13 (5G) and more importantly, I switched to T-Mobile who - in my area - has stronger 5G coverage. After the switch, we have experienced ZERO drops with Apple Car Play. I went from constant drops... to ZERO drops. You can read that as you want, but this points to the problem being related to SIGNAL speed/strength from the wireless network to your device.

What I don't understand is why the device, which is locally connected to the car via bluetooth and local wifi drops screen projection when the signal to the device is poor (network). It shouldn't matter. Yes, the streaming content should pause (Streaming audio for Example) but the connection from the device to the car shouldn't be impacted by this.

I am not an engineer, so I don't have a fix. I can only explain my experience. This issue hasn't come up for me in 2 months. After I swapped carriers and moved to 5G, it just worked. Even when I don't have 5G coverage - which happens for sure as 5G coverage doesn't blanket my area yet.

So, look harder at your devices and your carriers. As mentioned above I still don't understand why signal strength impacts the connection to the car... but it seems to...

@Opey915

I am only speaking for myself, I would not want to give any advice. I know its frustrating, It was driving me crazy. Same issue, map cutting out constantly and having to re-put in directions, just for it to drop out again. Sometimes it would not come back at all. There is a YouTube link; other people have posted it as well. Although I will lose wireless Apple Carplay, I will at least have confidence knowing my stereo will not drop out, and I can start to enjoy my new car again. It does not appear that there will be a fix anytime soon, I am using this fix until they finally have that recall for the stereo or wifi antenna. In the mean time, I have a working stereo. Also I can always switch the stereo mode back to wireless whenever I want. I have been running this for over 2 weeks now with no problems. Please note, in the video he changes it to version 4, but most people are having success by using CPU version 1.

https://youtu.be/pANDpTrGN_0

ISSSUE SOLVED

I went to a Hyundai dealership and they did a Nav system update and it completely fixed the issue

Hyundai just replaced the whole unit in my car three days ago so I am assuming it has the latest software update. Works perfectly. It hadn't worked since the day I bought the car so this is exciting. Fingers crossed.

I received message from Genesis dealer … they have ordered new parts to replace existing and will remove my Apple CarPlay from my iPhone and install new when unit is replaced

1. Head Unit
2. USB Port
3. Wiring Harness

Hyundai has a fix for Apple Car Play. They installed the new update for me on Tuesday at Suttons Sydney and it hasn’t dropped out once since. Took about an hour or so. They said they were still testing it and I was a guinea pig so not sure if it’s being rolled out actively. But it’s good news!

Update,

Last night, on the way home from work, I let the CarPlay fail in the disruption area. When I got home, I tested how long it would take to allow a reconnect. While looking at the WIFI settings on the phone and seeing the connection to the car's WIFI, I shut off the car, removed the key, opened the door, shut the door (staying in) and locked the car. The WIFI connection stayed active for about 2 minutes before disappearing from the phone. I then unlocked the car, opened the door and closed the door. Upon closing the door, the car plays it's little jingle and within 15 seconds, the WIFI to the car was connected. This was before inserting the key. At this point CarPlay was functioning properly. So, the car has to be off for at least 2 minutes for the WIFI to shut down and clear itself.

The way I have been getting around the issue is disconnecting the phone in the projection settings before hitting the affected area and reconnecting when I am past the area. At least I have a clear collection of info when I go to the dealer.

I’ve been having the same issues with my truck. It would keep saying WiFi interference and cut out and eventually connect sometimes. I tried something and everything is working right now with no cutting out.

I forgot the device on my truck and forgot my truck on my phone. I basically started over. Before I did anything else, I connected my phone to my truck’s mobile hotspot even though I don’t pay for the Chevy hotspot and it has no internet. I thought that if my phone stays connected to my truck, it wouldn’t be searching for other networks. After that I connected to wireless CarPlay just as before and now I have no issues! I have no idea if this is a permanent fix, but I’ve gone several days with no issues. Hope this helps others.