iOS 15 - USB Car Connection

Hello there,

Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities. We understand that USB playback isn't working between your iPhone 13 Pro and your Hyundai Sonata.

It sounds like you've tried some great troubleshooting steps so far. Next, try the steps in the 'Connect using USB playback' section of How to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your car.

If the same continues, there are some additional troubleshooting tips in If you need help with CarPlay.

Have a great day!

I contacted Apple today. Below is their response:

Ok thank you for confirming. In this case what happens is that the latest iOS 15 has upgrades in terms of connections to other devices and vehicles. Due to these updates in software, the iOS version is no longer compatible with the system in your vehicle model.

We currently don't have steps to downgrade the iOS since this might severely impact your phone's functioning. We definitely don't recommend it.

As per a fix, what happens is, this is not precisely and issue, but a normal thing that happens when new iOS updates come around

You can contact Apple about software “upgrades” under the iPhone by leaving feedback that “won’t go unheard” here.

http://www.apple.com/feedback

Idk if this answer has already been written, I didn’t have time to read all of the replies — I just got off the phone with Apple support and they told me that Apple is aware of this issue that makes it so the usb/lightning cable connection in the car is no longer identifiable to the car so you can’t play music, use maps etc. the same way we used to prior to the update. They said the following:

1. Either the next update or the one after that will have a fix for this issue
2. You should still be able to connect the car through an aux cable in the interim.

We have an iPhone 8 Plus and an iPhone 11 & a 2011 Cruze, for context.

Greetings, I’m having the same issue as the user above. The Hyundai Sonata and the usb cable were working perfectly until I ran the IOS 15.0.2 update. It’s not the cable or the car software. none of the troubleshooting tips have worked. It seems to be the update itself. Will there be another update to fix this issue, or should I just revert my phone to the last backup before I made the iOS 15 update?

In my case, Volvo XC60 2017 with Sensus Connect, when I connect my iPhone 11 Pro Max via USB, using iPod interface (working flawlessly for last 4 years), it connect to the phone library, shows last played song, paused, and the only option for my to resume playback is to unlock the phone, enter Music app, and click play button. When I try doing it from car interface it displays for ever the rotating wheel… But can browse phone’s library from car interface, but I cannot play the songs…

This seems like an issue with many iPhone users. I too have this issue and I wish Apple would release a patch soon. The cord in my car is only good for one thing…charging. Can’t listen to anything through my car speakers anymore. Spotify, iHeart radio, iTunes…nothing plays when my iPhone is plugged in.

-iPhone 11 Pro, iOS 15.1 user

Same with my 2010 SRX !! And when I called Apple support they put me on hold for 30 mins after troubleshooting a few different options saying he was going to ask the engineering department. I hung up. Please tell me you found a fix to this.

I am so annoyed, my music was working perfectly via USB cable until I installed ios 15.1, now I can't play anything or hear my Maps Sat Nav - as I drive a lot for work, these are essential to me. Called Apple and they were thoroughly unhelpful trying to pass this off as a firmware problem with my car!

As my car is an older Vauxhall, they say there are no updates. So now I have a useless Second Generation SE only fit to make calls and surf the net. Sadly I can't afford to buy a newer car just to facilitate my iphone!!!!!

Up until now I have sworn by Apple products, but this has ended!

You need to correct this very quickly - as you can see from this thread, this is not an isolated problem

Sadly it appears that it can’t be fixed. The Apple Techs obviously think we’re all driving round in brand new cars.

I’ve had to download all of my music onto my old iPhone 6 to use it as an iPod.

Not very satisfactory when you consider the price of a new iPhone.

It’s so annoying. It’s definitely making me wanna go get a new phone. What’s the point in paying so much money for Apple to rudely and forcibly make our phones update when we don’t want them to or they can’t make a proper running update. The least they can do is not f*** up the main part of the phone 🙄

I called Apple Support again today and was told to find an alternative source for music like CDs! The guy eventually agreed how wrong this is and sent a complaint to Apple in the US.

I think more people need to call them so that they realise what a big problem this is for some people.

Hopefully there will be an update to correct.

I have an iPhone 13 and can connect car play by blue tooth in a Subaru but cannot connect my phone by USB in my 2012 Holden Cruze no option to play by blue tooth

My daughter and son have IPhone 12 and connect no issues!

this is crazy first time iPhone user maybe this was a mistake!!

I am having the same issue. My usb was fine in my 2013 Cadillac and ever since I did the update, none of my music apps will play. I definitely believe now that this is from the apple update and hope they will resolve soon. I know if I call apple they will try and blame it on something else. After reading these posts, I am sure it was the update.

I sure hope that they fix this soon. It will probably be on the next update. This is a big issue for me and looks like it is for a lot more people. PLEASE FIX. Never had this problem till this lasted update.