iOS 16 not connecting to Apple CarPlay

I get the “accessory not supported” error too. I discovered if I unlock my phone and replug it, it usually works as expected. Sometimes I have to open Music for the car to recognize it. I’m not sure what causes this as it doesn’t happen all the time. I suspect it is an app I have used.

Tried everything without success until I turned VPN off.

This worked for me.

I would however like to understand why CarPlay doesn’t work with vpn and the ‘features’ impacted?

You may want try delete the VPN Configuration from Settings -> General > VPN & Device Management after turning off VPN. Then set the configuration back up anew.

Try following the advice here and also resetting your vehicle’s system computer. I updated to 16.1.2 and none of the suggestions worked. Out of desperation, I restored my system computer to its default settings, and everything worked again right away.

AMQH wrote:

I get the “accessory not supported” error too. I discovered if I unlock my phone and replug it, it usually works as expected. Sometimes I have to open Music for the car to recognize it. I’m not sure what causes this as it doesn’t happen all the time. I suspect it is an app I have used.

Check for fuzz in the Lightning port, and replace the Lightning cable, as a test.

still need to switch off vpn with latest iOS offering.

Try resetting your vehicle’s. systems computer to its default settings and reboot. Worked for me.

Also, it looks as though Siri has to be activated as well.

we need an update to fix this glitch.

Same issue. No VPN use. And, all was fine, even with iOS 16 until the last patch, 16.1.2 and now my 2019 GTI will not connect. I can use the bluetooth to stream songs or make calls, but plugged in it's a charger for the phone only. I have "forgotten car" on the phone side; deleted phone on car side; tried re-adding on both, and still nothing. I used it Maps and Waze all the time. Now I'm leaning the phone against the dashboard to have Maps available to see...booo....Apple please fix so it connects to my car again!

Agreed. Significant problem.

Thought rectified by hard reset, but this only results in temporary resuscitation with sound/mic loss.

certainly ios16 related.

ios 16.1 awaited with anticipation.

Since continuing problems are only with Express VPN, I would contact Express VPN first to see if they know of the issue are in process of issuing an update.

Thank you. Having same problem. I will try turning off my VPN.

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?