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Suddenly can‘t connect to CarPlay

I have used Car Play with zero issues over the past month. Suddenly, as of yesterday i cannot connect my iphone to it and i keep getting the following message, “connection failed. Please check the bluetooth and wifi settings on your mobile device“. I have restarted my car, my iphone, i have checked both bluetooth and wifi settings but the problem persists. Can you help? Thanks

iPhone 14

Posted on Feb 29, 2024 10:41 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 29, 2024 10:47 PM

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to get your iPhone 14 connected again:


  1. Double-check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi:
    1. Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and Settings > Wi-Fi to confirm.
    2. For the Wi-Fi connection, tap on the CarPlay network and make sure Auto-Join is turned on.
  2. Verify CarPlay settings:
    1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay.
    2. Tap on your car and select "Forget This Car".
    3. Now, try reconnecting your iPhone to CarPlay by following the car's specific instructions.
  3. Restart your devices:
    1. Turn off your car completely and wait for a few minutes. Then, restart it.
    2. Simultaneously, perform a forced restart on your iPhone. Instructions for doing this vary depending on the model, so refer to Apple's support page for specific steps How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support.
  4. Check for updates:
    1. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download any available updates.
      1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
      2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Consult your car's manual or manufacturer's website to see if there are any firmware updates available for your car's infotainment system.
  5. Use a different cable (wired connection): If you're using a wired connection, try using a different Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to the car's USB port. Sometimes, damaged cables can cause connection issues.
  6. Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.
    1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
    2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
    3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
    4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.
  7. If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your data but will reset all personalized settings to their default values. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm the action. Note that you will need to reconfigure your settings afterward. All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
    1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
    2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
    3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.


If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.


If none of these steps work, it's recommended to reach out to your car's manufacturer for further assistance. They may have additional troubleshooting steps specific to your car's infotainment system.


Similar questions

20 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 29, 2024 10:47 PM in response to alexbalt

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to get your iPhone 14 connected again:


  1. Double-check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi:
    1. Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and Settings > Wi-Fi to confirm.
    2. For the Wi-Fi connection, tap on the CarPlay network and make sure Auto-Join is turned on.
  2. Verify CarPlay settings:
    1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay.
    2. Tap on your car and select "Forget This Car".
    3. Now, try reconnecting your iPhone to CarPlay by following the car's specific instructions.
  3. Restart your devices:
    1. Turn off your car completely and wait for a few minutes. Then, restart it.
    2. Simultaneously, perform a forced restart on your iPhone. Instructions for doing this vary depending on the model, so refer to Apple's support page for specific steps How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support.
  4. Check for updates:
    1. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download any available updates.
      1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
      2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Consult your car's manual or manufacturer's website to see if there are any firmware updates available for your car's infotainment system.
  5. Use a different cable (wired connection): If you're using a wired connection, try using a different Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to the car's USB port. Sometimes, damaged cables can cause connection issues.
  6. Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.
    1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
    2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
    3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
    4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.
  7. If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your data but will reset all personalized settings to their default values. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm the action. Note that you will need to reconfigure your settings afterward. All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
    1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
    2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
    3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.


If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.


If none of these steps work, it's recommended to reach out to your car's manufacturer for further assistance. They may have additional troubleshooting steps specific to your car's infotainment system.


Jul 20, 2024 3:35 PM in response to alexbalt

After an update on phone, I have found that to get Carplay to work on my ID.4 I have to turn off Bluetooth on the phone and then back on again prior to getting in and waking up the car. I just got a Rivian and to get the phone to be recognized as a phone on the Rivian it seems I need to do the same cycling on and off of bluetooth on the phone. I wish the Rivian had carplay but so be it. My suspicion is there is some glitch in the current iOS but what do I know.

Sep 4, 2024 5:47 PM in response to alexbalt

I have a brand new (today) Sony XAV-AX4000 car stereo, wired and wireless, to which CarPlay does not work. It was professionally installed. Software for both phone (iPhone 12 ProMax) and the stereo are up to date (17.6.1 and 2.00.01 respectively). I have followed the Sony protocols, I have read the various issues with earlier IOS versions, and tried all recommended suggestions. Can anyone offer a solution?


Sep 25, 2024 6:43 AM in response to alexbalt

I’m also having issues but just with my 2024 Trax. OnStar helped me with a reboot but it’s doing it again. I have iPhone 16 now and ios18 so I’ll see if that helps. For now I’m connected - but my Bluetooth shows it as not connected even though I’m listening to music from the phone (I wanted to rename it to distinguish from my other two Chevys but it has to be connected for that). I’ve never had a problem with connectivity in my 21 Corvette so I’m thinking it’s a GM issue and that’s why I haven’t called Apple support.

Oct 17, 2024 2:27 PM in response to alexbalt

I think my issue with connectivity was resolved this week. I have a ‘24 Trax which was the source of the problem, the dealer received a new update this week and tried it - so far it solved the problem.


check to see if your phone is listed twice in the car software. I had to delete the older phone setting - again in the car not on the phone. However I haven’t been back in the car to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Oct 17, 2024 2:40 PM in response to uconnhusky2

Both of my phones were listed on my car's CarPlay dashboard, settings, so I removed the older phone. Then I did the usual disconnect the phone from the USB cable and reboot it completely, turn off the car, try a different cable, try a different USB port. No change. I was at the dealer getting the car preventive maintenance done and they looked at it, and of course it worked at that moment, but it stopped working again a couple of days later.


I have a message in for them to see if they will check the infotainment system that was suggested by our level 14 tech-support rep. (Thank you).


I read that suggestion at the end of the day when they were almost closing so I have to wait till tomorrow. I'll post the results once I find them out!

Oct 17, 2024 1:55 PM in response to Tango-Papa1

LOL! Thanks for the terrific laugh! I've been having this trouble on and off for a few weeks with the iPhone 16.

i've also tried everything except resetting the entire phone, which I don't want to do because I have many specific settings, especially accessibility settings. CarPlay worked fine with my iPhone 15 Pro Max and iOS 17. Something.


Suddenly can‘t connect to CarPlay

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