iOS 15.1 broke connectivity to my car stereo

I own a 2014 Chevy Cruze. It has the factory default stereo in it.


The radio looks like this:



Prior to the iOS 15.1 update, when I plugged my iPhone Xr in to the car, the stereo would detect the iPhone, switch to it and I could play anything on the phone using a Lightning cable plugged into the car's USB port.


I took my wife's iPhone 12, which has iOS 14.8.1 on it, and it worked fine. I upgraded to 15.1 and again it stopped working.


I plug either phone in, they start to charge, but the stereo no longer detects the phone.


The obvious workaround is to just plug the aux cable into the headphone jack on the... Oh wait...


This is obviously a bug in iOS 15.1. I called Apple and reported it. I'm trying to send logs to Apple now.


The following are NOT correct answers:

  1. Get a new car
  2. Get a new car stereo


If you're going to say either of those in your comments, don't bother commenting.


If you've seen this in your car and have figured out how to fix it, please feel free to share.


If not, this is just a heads up that you may experience this issue if you have an older stereo in your car


I know I can use the Lightning to 3.5 mm adapter, and that is my current workaround. But I can't do that and charge the phone at the same time, which is going to be a problem for long trips with GPS.

iPhone XR

Posted on Oct 26, 2021 7:43 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 30, 2021 4:35 PM

Same problem with a Mercedes’ using (lightning to MB aux) cable. & iPhone 13 pro max


No audio after installing 15.1


Just called Apple support.

tech recommended I ‘reset all settings’


settings->general->transfer or reset iPhone-> reset->reset all settings.


worked like a charm.


514 replies

Dec 15, 2021 5:20 AM in response to amp68

So now that it’s fixed, how do I stop getting 20 email copies a day from people who are thanking the thread or still haven’t updated yet? Not being able to delete my comment or having the option to ignore notifications from this thread is another problem they should have fixed thousands of questions ago.

Ugh… just 8 months left til relocation to humanoidrobotland.

Dec 19, 2021 9:10 PM in response to amp68

Since my iPhone 8 upgraded itself to IOS 15.1, the Bluetooth no longer works for outgoing calls in my Chevy Bolt. When I make a call from my Bolt thru Bluetooth, the receiver just hears a really loud obnoxious noise, and I hear nothing. I’ve tried all the tricks of plugging phone in to car, turning off Bluetooth, then phone. The turning phone back on phone and bluretooth. That did work twice but it doesn’t last . Anyone else ? Fixes? Thanks.



Dec 20, 2021 2:15 AM in response to amp68

Same happened to me. Have a 2011 GMC Terrain and updated my phone and it no longer pops up on my car’s screen anymore. It’ll charge but I have been music-less for over a month. Recently updated my boyfriend’s phone too and now he can’t play his music in the car either. They need to fix this or buy me a new car (lol) but seriously I can’t listen to music in my 10 year old car anymore? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Dec 24, 2021 10:52 AM in response to ThatJCar

Was able to get it to successfully play in my car once since the 15.2 update but it hasn’t been able to connect with my car again since. Tried many different brand new phone chargers, turning car off and on, hard resetting phone, and nothing. This is such a joke. Can no longer use my GPS and have phone charging at same time if I get an adapted which is a big issue as I travel quite a bit. Android keeps looking better and better

Feb 9, 2022 5:38 PM in response to amp68

Has anyone figured out the problem? I saw some of the comments that said that the update 15.2 fixed their problem to connecting to their car, but it didn’t fix mine. I have a 2014 Chevy Cruze Lt and an IPhone xs max and it is up to date with the 15.2 and have reset the network and bluetooth settings but nothing seems to work. If anyone knows how they solved theirs please tell me, I’m going crazy without music.


Thank You

Mar 30, 2022 5:16 AM in response to CamiGurl11

What do you mean reset your Apple Music?


I have a 2012 Honda and an iPhone 12 updated to 15.4 but still my stereo no longer recognizes my phone when I plug it in to the auxiliary. So the bug fix in 15.2 must not have covered my car’s stereo? Very disappointing, to say the least! I work in my car and need my podcasts!! Or at least decent music!


Suggestions welcome!

Apr 26, 2022 11:09 AM in response to amp68

I’m having the same issue in my 2010 camaro ss! Before the newest update to iOS 15.4.1 it was working fine for me. I have no problem connecting to handsfree, however I can’t seem to get it to connect to play my Bluetooth music. The only thing I’m able to do is use my USB and it’s frustrating. The sound is also vastly different using the USB rather than Bluetooth. I hope apple will fix this, had I known this I wouldn’t have gotten the update.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iOS 15.1 broke connectivity to my car stereo

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.