iPhone Won't Automatically Connect to Vehicle's Hotspot

I’ve got an iPhone 12 running the latest iOS (16.1.1) which had a small data plan associated with it. My car has a built-in hotspot from OnStar which is unlimited. 


I’d like the iPhone to automatically connect to the vehicle’s hotspot similar to how it automatically connect to regular Wi-Fi connections. 


Under the hotspot Wi-Fi network properties I’ve turned off the “Low data usage” option as with it being unlimited I don’t wish to limit the data usage on the phone. I’ve also set the Auto-Join Hotspot option to Automatic, but neither of those options appear to do anything as after several minutes I still have to go under Settings - Wi-Fi and manually tap on my car’s Wi-Fi network. 


I do remember when I first enabled the car’s hotspot it would automatically connect like I want it to…I don’t recall changing anything. Maybe an iOS update changed that behavior??? 


Does anyone have some other ideas to try? Thanks.

iPhone 12, iOS 16

Posted on Nov 13, 2022 6:53 AM

Reply
Question marked as Apple recommended

Double check the following Wi-Fi Setting on your iPhone.

Start the the hotspot on your car. Connect your iPhone to the car’s hotspot. Then open Settings ➡️ Wi-Fi ➡️ Tap on the (i) next to the name of your car’s hotspot: Here, ensure that Auto Join is set to ON.


Axel F.

Posted on Nov 13, 2022 7:01 AM

47 replies

May 2, 2023 1:24 PM in response to jfb1357

I got mine to work but not ideally. I have to be plugged into the USB to get wifi to automatically connect AND have CarPlay available.


I basically I deleted the Bluetooth CarPlay after initially setting it up and marked the trucks wifi to connect automatically.


I’ll try the update at some point but going to enjoy the ease of connecting to both seamlessly for now.


iphone 14 Pro

Version 16.3.1

May 20, 2023 12:43 PM in response to micahsd

AutoJoin in an Audi 2020 A6 with wirelesss CarPlay and in-vehicle WiFi does not work. So, as a result, if manual connect is overlooked, phone data plan continually exceeds the shard data allocation. Apple support is not acknowledging the issue. It’s been over a year waiting for a response/fix. Defeats the purpose of in-viehicle WiFi. I feel like sending Apple the bill for the Mobile Carrier overcharges to my cell phone data plan. APPLE MANAGEMENT — GET IT FIXED PLEASE!

May 22, 2023 2:52 AM in response to Oshguy06

Following the release of iOS 16.5, I tried again with my spare iPhone SE (which I'd updated to iOS 16.5), connecting it to my car. I wasn't surprised to find that, with several attempts, it would successfully connect to CarPlay but would stubbornly refuse to connect to the car's wifi, so the problem of Apple's own creation persists. My iPhone 12 will remain on 15.6 until I'm completely convinced that any future iOS release has fixed what Apple broke with the release of iOS 16. It's a total disgrace that they have paid no heed to the comments posted here, and on many other forums!

Jun 1, 2023 11:19 AM in response to micahsd

I have the same issue. I have an iphone 13 and when i updated to ios 16 i lost the ability to connect to my wifi in my 2021 Chevy Silverado automatically. Apple, are you going to fix this?! i have unlimited data on the At&t onstar hotspot but if i don't manually connect my phone to the wifi hotspot i use my phone data and not the onstar data. Very frustrating.

Jun 12, 2023 2:26 PM in response to micahsd

Experiencing the same issue with my 2021 VW Atlas Verizon Hotspot, Phone is iPhone 12 with iOS 16.5. Went from the annoyance of having to manually connect to the car WiFi each time to now completely not being able to connect to WiFi since the update to 16.5 CarPlay continues to connect seamlessly but will not connect to hotspot WiFi despite manually selection of connection. Frustrating to no end. Older phone and other devices on different, older iOS working fine. A little attention to this issue please Apple!

Jun 12, 2023 4:21 PM in response to sgesualdi

I have a GMC2500


I got mine to work but not ideally. I have to be plugged into the USB to get wifi to automatically connect AND have CarPlay available.


basically I deleted the Bluetooth CarPlay after initially setting it up and marked the trucks wifi to connect automatically.


I’ll try the update at some point but going to enjoy the ease of connecting to both seamlessly for now.


iphone 14 Pro

Version 16.3.1

Jul 28, 2023 6:10 PM in response to micahsd

Good to know others have this problem. Finally found this thread after dealing with this problem for six or more months. Several calls to Apple, resetting network settings, resetting everything possible, even tried one totally useless call to OnStar support...


Good to know that others have tried wiping the phone and restoring from backup and it didn't help. That was going to be my next step. And some have said that even wiping the phone and NOT restoring from backup didn't work. Very helpful. ( I had to do that a couple of years ago--- Not recommended. It took me a couple of weeks almost full time to get my phone working the way I was accustomed to).


I got the idea from this thread that if I stopped trying to use Wireless Carplay and just use USB that would help. But nope... That helps with Carplay but doesn't fix the problem of Wifi not autojoining. So I have to resign myself to remembering to manually connect each time I get in the car. Well at least I know.


[Edited by Moderator] 

iPhone Won't Automatically Connect to Vehicle's Hotspot

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