iOS 15.1 broke connectivity to my car stereo

Good to know there might be a problem with car use after 15. I drive a UK Ford that uses SYNC (the Microsoft version of CarPlay that has worked fine for years) and suddenly nothing worked properly and and it kept dropping the USB connection and not finding the Bluetooth. The blue tooth problem meant that handsfree calling and Maps navigation didn't work.

I tried unpairing and removing the device then re-pairing and that seems to have worked so far, but I'm a bit suspicious that it's not the full solution.

A couple of years back I also did what someone else suggested in this thread, i.e. removed the fuse for 30 minutes and re-entered the code in an attempt to fix a slightly different problem. At the time I was also able to download and install from my phone an update to the SYNC software.

Hi, I’ll share what’s going on with my husband’s Chevy equinox since the update.

When plugging in his iPhone to the AUX jack, his phone charges great. But the problem arises when his phone tries to connect to his car stereo audio to use his iphone for music or podcast. Normally when connected, the car stereo would automatically switch to AUX mode for iPhone playback over the car stereo. Now, immediately after the update, when he plugs the aux jack cable into his iPhone, he has to manually press aux button and a few secs later his screen reads “aux jack out”. Like the aux jack is not plugged in, even though it is.

My iphone is not updated to the newest version yet and there is no issues with reading the aux jack being plugged in. We’ve tried our other cords with the same results. His iPhone not being read and mine being read.

The music or podcast will play over the phone speakers while the aux jack is plugged in. There is no error reading showing on the iPhone. Only on the car stereo readout which again says “aux jack out”

The bluetooth connection to the car stereo has no issues. For instance when using Siri, Siri shows activated on the iPhone and plays back over the car speakers. Phones calls and gps all work over Bluetooth connection and car audio speakers.

It’s completely the aux jack reading the iPhone. It’s totally acting as if the aux jack is not plugged in to either the cars USB or to iPhone end. When it is and charging just fine.

thanks for gathering information and looking into this.

Chris

I’ve got the same issue. Since 15.1 update my phone won’t play music through the stereo system on my vauxhall astra. My daughter’s phone, which hadn’t had the 15.1 update installed works. Car is a 14 plate and never had an issue until this last software update. Apple suggested recovering phone and re-installing, done this several times and still no joy. Not a happy bunny!

I haven't read all 16 pages of replies, but this is definitely a bug in IOS 15.1 and nothing to do with GM vehicles in particular. My 2009 Audi doesn't have bluetooth music or USB, so I have an aftermarket adapter that plugs in the back of the stereo and provides a USB port. It has worked perfectly up until I upgraded to 15.1 last week. To confirm I grabbed an old 2016 version SE I had lying around that still had IOS 14.4.2 installed on it. I took it out to the car and it worked right away. I brought it back in the house, upgraded it to 15.1, and now it only charges but no audio. I made video of the whole thing to document it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDMlRz-YFmc

For what it’s worth, this isn’t an Issue with airplay functionality where the ‘share’ button would show a different output. This is entirely an issue of the older ‘iPod’ music interface being broken (where your control Song, skipping, etc, from a car’s iPod controls.

Was working up until 15.0 was released.

I went at with one of the reps for telling me that on the phone . I got a call back from a supervisor and they told me they are aware of the issue and the rep was not well trained or informed on what to say In the situation. The supervisor asked for my log info and wanted to trouble shoot. and. Regarding the update issues there aware of it all she said to just be patient amd no timetable. I wouldn’t doubt you get a call from a supervisor or email of apple attempting to contact you.

yep you’re right on the money. My company phone updated overnight automatically and I went to plug it in to my 2013 Cruze to charging only. I called into support and they said to download at least one song to your Apple Music library so that the car would pick up an Iphone/IPod. Tried it but didn’t work for me. The support person I spoke with mentioned I needed a firmware update for my radio and as you mentioned that’s not possible. So now I just have to use my other phone which is on iOS 14.8.1. Works like a charm.

I feel you. I'm having the same issue (and I have to drive on a 16 hour round trip for the Thanksgiving holiday!) with 2012 CHEVY CAMARO RS with standard stock radio!

I have a technical case already opened with Apple about this issue. One thing that is recommended is to alert GM or the radio manufacture of the issue.

I got in touch with Apple support. After a few calls where connection kept dropping out the issue has been escalated to a senior manager. I told him everything I’d done including changing usb cables, resetting car radio, resetting iPhone, removing Bluetooth etc but urs simply not working. He has taken logs from my iPhone, I’ve sent pictures of the error message in my car “No Aux device connected” and am booked in for a follow up call this Saturday. Meanwhile I’ve given him my iPhone model, car make & model & stereo model numbers for the engineers to figure out why iOS 15. 1 has crashed music playing ability via usb.

Also tried a friend iPhone ( different model & operating on iOS 14.8.1 ) and hey presto music played instantly!!

The more people that call apple support about this the quicker it might get resolved folks!

I just called apple support and reported the issue as well (Nov 24/2021). I also have a Chevy.

The tech support guy said they’re aware it’s an issue and they’re addressing it but have no answers on when the new update will be out nor if it will for sure resolve this issue 🙄.

of course the suggestion was to update the vehicle (either the stereo, or get an add on or something) and I reiterated that this is a completely unreasonable solution as it isn’t the vehicle issue, it’s an Apple update issue.

Useless response but hope there’s a new update soon and it resolves the problem because not everyone with a car can just afford to update their freaking stereo

The issue is being worked, we don't yet have a target date for a fix.

I still recommend you contact Apple Support directly if you have this issue to make sure yours is a configuration they know is troublesome.

Contact - Official Apple Support

i just got off of the phone with apple, they said they have been getting this report in and their team is working on it. if we can just bare with it, they are working on fixing it and possibly a new update will be the fix!

Best workaround so far is a $40 adapter from Amazon….. Belkin F8J212btWHT 3.5mm Audio + Charge Rockstar (iPhone Aux Adapter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074WDWVX1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AJWMC9YZC9PEY71KNX3B

Temp fix for this issue on aid not working I have a 2012 camaro ss I have charging port six and a headphone jack aux I bought a 3.5 mm headphone jack into a iPhone charger and when I plugged it in a pop up came up and I selected other device and it has worked fine ever since

Check for firmware updates; Alpines have always been notoriously finicky.

If there are none, did you notify Apple Support directly of your issue? They can’t fix what they don’t know is broken.

Contact - Official Apple Support