I upgraded my iPhone 12 Pro to a 16 Pro, and the new phone will not connect to my 2018 Mazda CX-5 with CarPlay. When I plug it in, it charges but makes no sign of connecting.
iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18
I had the same issue with my 2019 Toyota Avalon. I tried some cable adapters (both lighting and USB A) to convert one of the ends of the old cables I had. That failed miserably and didn’t work.
I bought an Anker USB-A A to USB-C cable for about $10 from Walmart. It comes with a cable wrap which is nice in the center console to keep things organized.
The new cable worked right away. CarPlay booted faster than ever before. No issues at all.
Thank you! This solution worked for me. I had been trying to connect with a USB-A to USB-C charge cable in my 2018 Volvo to my new iPhone 16 with no success. I purchased one from Amazon that specified 'CarPlay' in the description and it connected right away.
Young_buck
just get a data capable cord. It does not have to be. Apple just has to be data capable.
I’m using a wired CarPlay connection and this solved the problem for me. A marketplace search for “iPhone 16 CarPlay cable” brings up the right products. I did also perform a reset on my receive (Pioneer AVH-1550 NEX) before getting the cable but that did not solve the problem. However, can’t be sure if the cable alone is the solution or if a reset is also required. I was unable to remove old CarPlay connections from my phone and other troubleshooting steps recommended in this thread on the phone did not help me.
I want to thank the person who recommended using a belkin charger to make Car Play function on 2018 cars with an Iphone 16. It worked! I don't know why apple is not creating a proper connector so that we don't all go crazy trying to figure out how to update firmware on our cars--NOT NECESSARY.
Car Play is immediately recognized by your phone when you use a Belkin connector!
Just go to best buy and get their house brand (expressions) usb to usc cable ($8.00). I tried all the other fixes that are shown online, none worked. My granddaughter had the same problem, she got the Best Buy cable and it worked right away just like it did for me.
It’s the cable. Get a new one. Problem solved.
So…same problem. My new iPhone 16 pro charges via cable to my 2019 Nissan qashqai but won’t connect to car play. But I left it plugged in to the car and found that after 3-4 minutes, it actually finds the connection! It drove me mad, tried different cables, resetting, everything. But after a little time, they find each other and work fine together. No idea why!
I had the exact issue with my iphone 16 pro not connecting to my 2023 Suzuki Vitara car via cable.
Tonight I went and bought a usb to usb-c converter for 6 euros and a cheap 5 euro usb c to usb c cable to connect it to my phone and it worked immediately
[Edited by Moderator]
If this doesn’t work for some people you can go into password settings, scroll down and make sure Accessories is turned on.
Bingo. This did the trick for me. Basically, Reset Network Settings
I tried around 15 usb to usb-c without success. I then tried an old usb to micro-usb, with c adapter, and it worked as did the next ‘older’ cable. What a faff.
Don't buy the adapter. The USB-A to Lightning is the problem. Get the Nimble USB-A to USB-C. Apple sells them.
I went through the same and it was a long road to find the issue. Very simple, just update your phone to the newest software and it will all work smooth again 😊
If you go to settings,screen time, then content and privacy restrictions, turn it on then allow everything. Does that fix it ?
Apple Store sells Mophie brand cable “USB-A to USB-C” for 19.99. I attached a photo in another comment.
CarPlay not working with iPhone 16 Pro
