CarPlay iOS17 not working

Either Apple reps know about this issue and aren't saying, or they don't know about it, which is just as bad. With my iPhone 13 ProMax running iOS 17, CarPlay constantly disconnects and doesn't work until several tries. I also have a 7+ running iOS 15, and it works fine. Same with others here, my dealer, Alfa Romeo, says it's an Apple issue.

Software updates such as this do not break older versions of software.

If you have a new car, more features may be available via CarPlay than in older cars or with older head ends (if they cannot be updated) but that in no way means CarPlay stops working in older vehicles.

One of the first troubleshooting steps should be to delete all traces of your current phone from your car head end's memory, and delete all references to your car's connection from your phone, allowing each to make a fresh association.

Finally, always check with your vehicle's maker as many do update their automotive head end systems regularly.

Beyond that, if you have an iPhone 15, you must use a USB-C cable and/or adapter rated to pass data, not just the voltage required to charge your device.

That's what I thought too!! however the Apple Care rep convinced me otherwise. He said that when they develop major iOS updates (like 16,17,18,etc and not just 16.1.2 or 17.2) there is a chance for the older car models no longer work with the new software.

And I did ALL of the steps of troubleshooting, spending around 2 hours on the phone collectively with different representatives.

There is a chance, but if that should occur it's up to the car's maker to correct the issue as it means they did not properly program their head end.

Apple does not know how every auto maker and car stereo company programmed their device, and while it should continue to work, errors on the part of the auto/car stereo makers may cause it not to, and only those third parties can resolve it.

I often use this silly example, but pretend that when asked to add "2 + 3" your car calculates that as 5 but when asked to add "3 + 2" it calculates it as 6.

Even if Apple only used to add "2 + 3" in past versions of CarPlay and they now add "3 + 2," it's not Apple's responsibility to only add "2 + 3" from now on because someone else got it wrong in their system.

I am using CarPlay for many years now and haven't had any issues until now(iOS17). Recent years I had several cars and haven't updated their head unit system, CarPlay work just fine on every iOS. I had also rented many cars while traveling abroad with no issues.

For sure, it’s an iOS issue now, it seems only Apple can resolve this bug. don't go blame your car manufacturers or your iPhone configuration, it’s a waste of energy.

Hopefully Apple is working on this fix, they haven’t release any official comment as far as I am aware of.

I had this issue tonight and messed around with it a little when I got home.. and what I did was turn off my VPN which I did activate earlier during my shift at work realizing it was off since I got the 15, and that fixed MY issue. So maybe if you have a vpn on turn it off? Maybe we can utilize this info and Apple can do something about it? I use express vpn.

I have 2019 Subaru Crosstrek and I have Iphone 14 with 17.2.1 iOS. I had to replace my cables twice and still it wont connect. The cable is connected to the Subaru in the central console. Its been going in and out. What should I do??

Has there been a fix for this yet? I have a 2022 Lexus NX and text messaging doesn’t work since the IOS17 update. Siri will read incoming text messages but when I try to reply it freaks out and says “Siri here” and then “Sorry I can’t find that location”. Sometimes it will send a text that says “what do you want”.

Upon signing a 3 year lease on my 2023 Lexus RX 350h (with the 9.8 inch optically bonded touchscreen), the technology expert successfully paired my iPhone (iOS software 16). From my lease date March 15, 2023 through September 22, 2023, my paired iPhone as well as my husband’s iPhone both worked seamlessly in the NX CarPlay integration. On September 18, 2023 Apple introduced the latest free software update for supported iOS devices called iOS 17. Upon updating my iPhone’s software to iOS 17, the Lexus Apple CarPlay cannot support my iPhone. The 2023 Lexus Interface 9.8 inch optically bonded touchscreen is no longer supporting Apple’s iOS 17. When pairing my phone with a new 2024 NX with this same size screen, the issue is replicated and malfunctions.  When paired with a new 2024 NX with the larger 14” optional screen, the issue is resolved and Apple CarPlay integrates with my phone perfectly.

Lexus says this is an Apple issue. How is this possible if my iPhone iOS 17 works perfectly fine with the larger 14" screen, and on the Lexus RX loaner I have right now?

I need APPLE to talk to LEXUS regarding this issue!

Resolution:

I have had some mixed progress. I found limited success with turning off my VPN. It’s not intuitive since my connections were Bluetooth or hardwire USB. Some CarPlay devices like Ford Sync and have a conflict with Hardwire USB and Bluetooth. To use their required Hardwire connection, you must not connect Bluetooth at any time. I bought two third party iPlay devices one uses Bluetooth, the other initially connects with Bluetooth and then connects through WIFI. Both of these worked right out of the box with VPN disabled and somehow at least temporarily reset the connection on the Ford and Sony devices. Since the iPlay devices are so easy to use and wireless I don’t use the other devices for anything than music.

Your experience actually pretty definitively proves it's Lexus that's at fault, or it would be broken on all of their head ends.

The fact that it's broken on some of them shows that Lexus could fix the issue on all of them.

Apple puts out guidelines as to what new versions of iOS will bring, it's up to third parties to follow them.

I have a BMW 340i and am having the same issues. I did reboot the infotainment system in my car and reset all connections but no luck. My wife’s iPhone with an older iOS version can use CarPlay. My phone connects to the car’s Bluetooth, but can’t launch CarPlay 😡😡. How long does Apple typically take to go through all their major and minor screwups when they launch a neo version of their most important software?

There are no "screwups" as you assert, but rather BMW or their supplier did not code their software properly in their automotive head end.

Were it Apple's fault no one's CarPlay would work, and that's not the case here.

I would recommend contacting your BMW dealer and asking if they have any updates for your vehicle.

That's not the way software debugging and diagnosis works.

If the issue started with an update of iOS, and if resetting the car head end works, the issue is with the car, not iOS.

The fact that millions of iPhones with the update installed continue to work in other cars is proof of that.

This type of thing happens when those programming car head ends make improper assumptions that the way things work today is the way they will always work, rather than follow Apple documentation describing how things actually work and how they will work in the future.

I have a Mercedes-Benz GLE from 2021 and just changed my iPhone to 15 Pro Max. I am using iOS 17 and the MB UX does not recognise the device. I have been using Apple Cable USB-C to USB-C provided at purchase, and also tested it with multiple other cables. None seem to work.

Has anyone found a real fix for this?

Again: iPhone15 Pro Max with iOS 17, and MB UX.