CarPlay not working properly after iOS update?

I had a lot of issues with iPhone 12 Pro and WIRELESS CarPlay on Audi A4 2021. Now with iPhone 15 pro it was impossible make CarPlay work AT ALL.

Mine worked instantly and now connects super fast when I REMOVED COMPLETELY THE TWO WIFI NETWORKS OF THE CAR’S HOTSPOT FROM THE IPHONE - 2.5 and 5 GHz. ( Settings -> WiFi -> Forget this network)

You do not need to be connected to Car WiFi Hotspots for CarPlay to work. CarPlay uses WiFi but establishes background WiFi connection following Bluetooth handshake. Hope this helps.

PS. CarPlay uses 5GHz WiFi band, so if you still need Hotspot try using only 2.5 GHz

[Edited by Moderator] 

I've been having the same problem for a week and stumbled on a solution that worked for me at least. My CarPlay has been working fine for years and suddenly last week after an iOS update (17.4.1), it stopped working. I went through all the troubleshooting steps - reset my infotainment system, reset my phone to factory settings, checked screen time for any restrictions, etc. When I read somebody saying they reset their network and that fixed it, it occurred to me that maybe my VPN was blocking CarPlay for some reason. When I turn off VPN, CarPlay starts working. I've been able to reproduce this at will - turn on VPN, no CarPlay; turn off VPN, CarPlay works.

Hi! This happened to me and just fixed it! Delete/forget all devices connected to your car. Make sure the name of your phone matches your model. If you have an iPhone Pro Max - the name should be exactly iPhone Pro Max. Then repair your device and should work!

Hi chrisyamil,

If CarPlay is not working as expected, the following guidance can help:

"First, make sure that your country or region supports CarPlay and that your car supports CarPlay. If you're unsure if your car supports CarPlay, contact the vehicle manufacturer.

Make sure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS. If your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS, follow these steps—checking CarPlay after each step:

1. Check your connection to your CarPlay stereo:

• If you have a wired connection, try connecting again with a different USB cable to a different USB port if you have one.
• If you have a wireless connection, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on your iPhone under Settings > Bluetooth. Then go to Settings > Wi-Fi, and make sure that Wi-Fi is also turned on. Tap the CarPlay network, and check that Auto-Join is turned on.

2. If CarPlay doesn't activate automatically, look for the CarPlay logo on your car's display and select it.

3. Restart your iPhone and your car. 

4. Make sure that Siri is on.

5. If your iPhone isn't detected by CarPlay, make sure that CarPlay isn't restricted. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If Content & Privacy Restrictions is on, tap Allowed Apps, and make sure that CarPlay is enabled.

6. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your car, then tap Forget This Car. Then set up CarPlay again.

7. Make sure that your CarPlay stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.

If you still have issues connecting to CarPlay, contact Apple Support."

If you need help with CarPlay - Apple Support

Cheers.

It happened to me and I replaced the stereo and the cable and the phone. Finally with the update it happened to my wife. She figured it out. You have got to use a passcode in order to enable CarPlay to work when phone is locked. That fix both of our phones and we are back in business. Thanks honey.

Life saver, I was about to rip my head unit out. It was my VPN all along

If you have an apple phone you have a passcode. Most of us shut it off because we don’t want to be bothered with it. Go into settings then Face ID and passcodes. Set up a passcode then make sure you go back in and make sure the accessories button is turned on (green). Should solve you problem.

Just spoke to Apple Support. They acknowledge there is a glitch in the code for 17.4x that disrupts apple carplay for some users. No eta on fix. No ability to roll back to an earlier iOS. Hope you do not need Carplay for safety like I do...

What I realized about this issue is that it happens every time the cellular network switches, since my previous phone was an 11, LTE, no issues, the 13 is 5G and whenever it switches to LTE, 5G+ or whatever, CarPlay crashes, no issues over Bluetooth, so, Apple, check your programming and debug your software, my wife’s android works just fine and switches between networks with no issues when connected to the car.

If you have a Volvo with Google software and car play isn’t working, dealer showed me the fix to 17.4.1. Restart your phone AND restart the infotainment system by holding down the home button on the dash above the volume knob and keep holding until system shuts down and restarts with the Volvo logo, then release the button until restart finishes. Then plug your phone in, select Car play on the apps menu and you’re good to go.

If you have a Volvo with Google software and car play isn’t working, dealer showed me the fix to 17.4.1. Restart your phone AND restart the infotainment system by holding down the home button on the dash above the volume knob and keep holding until system shuts down and restarts with the Volvo logo, then release the button until restart finishes. Then plug your phone in, select Car play on the apps menu and you’re good to go.

I have seen no announcement from Apple to date that they intend to fix the CarPlay bug they apparently introduced with IOS 17.1.1. Shame, I expect more from Apple given the premium we pay for their brand. One possible workaround I have found is to "reset the entertainment center" in the vehicle to factory reset. This is something you would likely do when selling your car. This worked for me, but the downside is that it eliminates all of your paired devices, all of your driving history, saved addresses settings etc. If you do not wish to lose those settings then this fix is not for you.

Go to a Car radio installer, get them to check your system is updated properly, and if so, they may have a new wire connection cord to enable the connection to Apple CarPlay.

Apple needs to fix the code, it is not about all this list of steps… basically useless… issue is when the phone switches bands from 5g to lower ones… really, fix it… these things are too expensive for this kind of mistakes… my wife’s android works like a charm when connected to the car and it’s a 5g as well… and it’s cheaper…

My daughter‘s CarPlay stopped working after we both got new iPhones with the new iOS 17. I tried all of the ideas on the Internet, resetting the infotainment, deleting the phone, reinstalling it, going into diagnostic mode, etc. nothing worked. I decided to get a USB-C to lightning adapter so I could use the old charger and that seem to do the trick. It is now working like it used to.!