iOS 16 not connecting to Apple CarPlay

Mr505 wrote:

APPLE PLEASE MAKE AND UPDATE TO IOS16 THAT MAKES CARPLAY WORK WITH OTHER VPN SERVICES LIKE EXPRESS VPN.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

ivette284 wrote:

Hello can someone please help me! Today my plugged my iPhone to my car. It said accessory not supported but it was able to charger my phone. Then I tired different apple cables and nothing worked. My VPN is off and it still doesn’t work. Idk what else to do.

Remove the VPN app entirely, and force-restart the iPhone.

Check the iPhone Lightning connector for any embedded debris or fuzz and remove any found.

Replace the Lightning cable.

Try again.

cmcramer wrote:

I have an ‘18 F150 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Wireless CarPlay is not an option in this year model. I have Screen Time turned off all together so there is no allowing CarPlay. I do not have a VPN on my phone to even turn on/off. USB charges the device but no CarPlay shows up. Any advice or further help in appreciated.

Here is Ford Sync 3 and CarPlay, which is probably the infotainment system you’re using:

…https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/sync/sync-3/sync-3-plus-apple-carplay-support/

Here is how to update Sync 3 firmware, and you will want to load the most current firmware:

…https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/sync/getting-started-with-sync/what-sync-version-do-i-have/

Then here is how to contact Ford support, if the current firmware is not working:

…https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/sync/troubleshooting/why-isnt-my-sync-system-working/

Above assumes the iPhone is running iOS 16.2 (current), has been force-restarted.

…Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

…Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

If the iPhone here was previously paired with this infotainment system, un-pair it, force-restart, and re-pair it. The first link included here describes how to remove the pairing, or check the linked document or your owner’s manual. Un-pair CarPlay, and un-pair Bluetooth if that’s separate. (I don’t have Sync 3 to check. What Sync I have used was decidedly flaky, prior to infotainment system firmware updates from Ford.)

Try and Force Restart your iPhone EXACTLY as shown below and see whether that resolves the issue:

• Press and quickly release Volume UP button
• Press and quickly release Volume DOWN button
• Press and Hold the SIDE button until an Apple logo appears and then release the Side button (Can take up to 20 seconds. (DO NOT release Side Button when invited to Slide Power OFF). 

Axel F.

Make sure there isn’t an update available for your car radio….if it allows OTA updates go into the settings on the radio and have it check to see if it picks up any new updates. If it is an OEM radio and doesn’t allow OTA updates you would have to either take it to the dealer service and have them to do the update if available or check your owners manual to see if they direct you to a website to do updates. This may not be your issue but it’s a possibility and doesn’t hurt to check.

I have the same issue. I know it is the phone and not the car because my wife's phone still works in my car and she hasn't updated to iOS16.

After a little testing, I found that if I turn off my VPN, the CarPlay sees my phone, like normal. Clearly, Apple needs to push out a fix because I'm not turning off my VPN every time I get in my car.

I have an iPhone 8plus and couldn't connect to the carplay AFTER I updated to ios16. I use a VPN and after I turned off the VPN the phone connected to carplay. What has VPN got to do with connecting to carplay?

i had this issue, too. i attempted to revert back to iOS 15.7, but that failed. so i did a backup of the phone to iCloud, a factory reset of the iPhone, and a clean install of iOS 16, then restored from the backup. the phone came all the way back (save for the faceid-- no big deal to redo) and the CarPlay instantly recognized the phone. also, the voice prompts on maps are MUCH louder, fixing a different vexing issue with iOS 15. it took some time, but everything worked out. ~wipes sweat from brow~

ronaldfromma wrote:

I have an iPhone 8plus and couldn't connect to the carplay AFTER I updated to ios16. I use a VPN and after I turned off the VPN the phone connected to carplay. What has VPN got to do with connecting to carplay?

I might suggest researching exactly what a VPN actually provides you, and what your data provides to a VPN provider, while badly solving a problem which really hasn’t existed in a decade, much over-hyped, and with too many operated by sketchy vendors and various of those vendors have had a history of blatant lying. Some of the VPNs have had indications they were decrypting your already-encrypted data based on what’s been posted around here, too. And the VPNs mess with yourmIP networking routing, too.

faerie king wrote:

i should add that i don't use a vpn so this wasn't the fix for me.

For those following along, try an un-pair and re-pair of the iPhone with the infotainment system, and see if that clears this.

My sentiments exactly! I’m soo glad I came across this forum because I was going crazy trying to figure out why my CarPlay suddenly stopped working. A lot of sites were talking about restoring and turning on Siri. So weird VPN is causing this but glad I now have the temporary fix.

Balt341 wrote:

Are you saying VPN don’t actually hide you location and data?

I’m saying that VPNs are a complete and utter privacy and security trash fire, and the purported benefits involve solving a problem that really hasn’t existed for a decade. Given the log dumps that leaked from supposedly no-logging VPN providers, too. As for hiding your location, iCloud+ Private Relay provides that. And TLS is a VPN end-to-end, unlike what the first-few-hops VPNs provide.

Great. I’m going to do a bit more research. I’m finding more and more apps aren’t working with ExpressVPN anyway. It’s getting annoying to honest. And if it’s not needed then... I also have no apps on on phone. All through Duck Duck. That works so much better to drive the data miners nuts. Or if that frivolous as well?

can we please keep this thread limited to the topic at hand and not diverge into the merits (or lack thereof) of vpns? thanks!

that said, the vpn solution did nothing to resolve my issue with the CarPlay connectivity. i don't use a vpn.

what did work for me was a complete wipe of the phone, a clean install of iOS 16, restoring from the backup (do this BEFORE you wipe the phone), and a new (apple branded) cable. the why it worked is still something i don't fully understand, but it's safe to say that vpns aren't the only culprit here.