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Carplay disconnects when near 4G LTE towers

In Australia, Driving a 2021 Kia Rio.

My Apple carplay will disconnect whenever I drive within approximately 75 meters of a 4G cell tower. It is the connection between the head unit and my iPhone 12 Pro that drops(note: this has been replicated on any iPhone that connects).


Is there anything that can be done to resolve this?

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 6, 2023 6:39 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 13, 2023 7:38 PM

Thank you for the information. Note: This is with wireless carplay.


This happens on multiple towers and will happen every time I drive near them.

For some, the carplay screen will disconnect but will continue to play audio.

For others, carplay will disconnect and so will the audio. About 30% of the time it won't automatically reconnect and will require me to turn off wifi and bluetooth on my phone and then turn it back on.


It does seem like an interference issue as you've mentioned. If it is an external factor that can't be resolved, Carplay should handle the disconnect more gracefully.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 13, 2023 7:38 PM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you for the information. Note: This is with wireless carplay.


This happens on multiple towers and will happen every time I drive near them.

For some, the carplay screen will disconnect but will continue to play audio.

For others, carplay will disconnect and so will the audio. About 30% of the time it won't automatically reconnect and will require me to turn off wifi and bluetooth on my phone and then turn it back on.


It does seem like an interference issue as you've mentioned. If it is an external factor that can't be resolved, Carplay should handle the disconnect more gracefully.

Sep 6, 2023 6:46 AM in response to JeromeOme

JeromeOme wrote:

(note: this has been replicated on any iPhone that connects).

If this is replicated on every iPhone then you should report the issue with the Agency that has installed the tower.


Wireless interference: Power lines, radio or television. transmitters, transformers and other electronic devices may cause noise on the phone line. --> Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless ...



Bluetooth interference can potentially cause connectivity issues due to the disruption of the wireless communication between devices. Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, which is also used by various other devices such as Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and even some baby monitors. When multiple devices are operating in close proximity and using the same frequency band, interference can occur.


Here's how Bluetooth interference can impact connectivity:


  1. Audio Streaming Interruptions: When you're streaming music via Apple Music or using Siri to play audio content, Bluetooth interference can disrupt the connection between your device (such as an iPhone) and the Bluetooth speaker or headphones. This interference can result in the audio stuttering, dropping out momentarily, or experiencing poor sound quality.
  2. Bluetooth devices transmit data in packets. Interference can cause some of these packets to be lost or corrupted during transmission. As a result, the receiving device may have trouble decoding the audio or Siri commands correctly, leading to stuttering or delayed responses.
  3. Bluetooth signals can be weakened by interference from other devices operating on the same frequency band. If the signal strength drops significantly, it can affect the stability of the connection between your device and the Bluetooth accessory. This can result in intermittent stuttering as the connection struggles to maintain a consistent data flow.
  4. Bluetooth uses different channels within the 2.4 GHz frequency range to establish connections. When there are many Bluetooth devices in close proximity, multiple connections can create congestion on the available channels. This congestion can cause interference, leading to degraded performance for Apple Music streaming or Siri interactions.


To mitigate Bluetooth interference issues and reduce stuttering:


  1. Minimize the number of active Bluetooth devices in close proximity to each other. Switch off or move away devices that are not in use or causing interference.
  2. Increase the distance between your Bluetooth devices (e.g., your iPhone and Bluetooth speaker/headphones) to reduce the impact of interference.
  3. Keep your devices' firmware up to date, including your iPhone and any Bluetooth accessories. Manufacturers often release firmware updates that can improve the performance and stability of Bluetooth connections.
  4. Objects like walls, furniture, or large metal surfaces can obstruct Bluetooth signals and contribute to interference. Ensure a clear line of sight between your devices to optimize signal strength.
  5. Some Bluetooth devices allow you to manually switch to different channels within the 2.4 GHz range. Check the user manual or settings of your Bluetooth accessory to see if you can change channels to find a less congested one.
  6. If your Wi-Fi router supports it, consider using the 5 GHz frequency band for Wi-Fi connections instead of 2.4 GHz. This can reduce potential interference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals.


By implementing these steps, you can help minimize Bluetooth interference and improve the overall performance of Siri's voice.

Carplay disconnects when near 4G LTE towers

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