CarPlay stopped working after iOS 26 update.

Yesterdays 26.1 update has fixed my issues with CarPlay. In fact the widgets are gorgeous!

All of you, please update your iOS to the latest version, 26.1. I’ve tried it, and it worked for me, eliminating all disconnections.

Disabling the active VPN for me immediately fix the issue as well. In my case, it was Windscribe VPN.

I noticed that the problem gets worse when I use the Waze app. I deleted it, and for now everything is working normally.

Ok so either i had a fluke thing, or i figured out how to fix it, i drove today and had ZERO RANDOM DISCONNECTS, i was messing around in the settings checking everything, when i saw the widget settings under carplay settings, this is the new thing they added i figured maybe i should try turning it off, since its been turned off i have had no disconnects so far ill report back though as soon as i have a disconnect, for anyone else interested, Settings>General>CarPlay>”Your Car”>Widgets and set show widgets to off, this may not end up lasting but so far it fixed my problem

I updated OS to 26.2.1 yesterday and Apple Car Play worked today.

I'd been having this too. Cleaned USB port, new Anker USB-A to USB-C cable, used port closest to screen, up-dated to 26.0.1, disconnected other devices in car. iPhone 17 Pro been dropping every 5 minutes or so using Waze. Drove five hours today -- knock on wood -- without a single drop. Not sure why.

While CarPlay widgets may be causing issues, it isn't anything to do with the Head Unit; CarPlay simply uses the head unit as a screen and input device; All of the code, including Widgets, is actually running on your phone.

Turning CarPlay widgets off and the back on seemed to resolve the problem I was having with the screen not being responsive to "swipes".

Hopefully Apple will address this bug in an update

Updating to iOS 26.1 actually made my problem worse. It was good with iOS 26.0.1 after disabling the widgets.

To help with maintain a connection I have created an automation in the shortcuts app that restarts my WiFi when CarPlay disconnects. This is also helped me somewhat debug the issue. What I’ve noticed is this seems to be related to when the phone switches cell towers as I live in a fairly mountainous region I lose my carplay connection at around the same areas the phone should be switching cell towers. That being said, I don’t think the cell towers are the actual cause but point to a bug in Apple‘s code that causes a small Wi-Fi glitch when cell towers are being switched.

I have attached a screenshot of the automation in case anybody is interested.

I have found if after connecting I turn off WiFi and then turn it on again which forces Carplay to reconnect. Thereafter it works ok.

Reset my head unit and all is resolved.

2025 Honda CR-V Sport Touring

Hold: Home, Power, Track Left

Then Hold: Back, Power, Track Left

Tap: System Reboot

I have the same issue with iPhone 17 Pro and IOS 26. I have an after market XTrons head unit, but I never had an issue with it before. Apple support is basically useless, they don't know what to do or how to debug this. They want to blame the head unit which clearly isn't the issue, my wife's old iPhone 13 with IOS 18 works fine with it. Apple clearly broke wireless CarPlay in IOS 26 but won't accept any repsonsibility unfortunately.

I have news... I jumped into iOS 26.1 Release Candidate... it seems to have fixed my Wireless Carplay Issues... Usually it couldn't complete a 5 minute drive without disconnecting, I left home, went for a coffee at a drive-thru, and drove to the office (around ten minutes connected without issues)...

I had widgets enabled (if you are curious)

I'll give updates if the conection starts failing in longer drives or when I get to the final iOS 26.1.

iPhone 17 with iOS 26.1 RC

Apple Watch Ultra 2 with watchOS 26.0.2

Atoto F7 XE head unit

I have the same head unit.

First, I’ve always had an issue with maintaining a CarPlay connection while I have my earbuds with me. They don’t need to be in my ear to cause a connection issue, just being with me will cause it.

Second, that head unit cannot handle widgets. On your phone you need to go into CarPlay settings and disable widgets.

Third, Waze will definitely cause your CarPlay to disconnect while Google Maps will cause CarPlay to freeze up upon startup if you have it open when you shut your car off.

i would recommend removing any app that you don’t use and try to remember to go to a screen other than Google Maps when you shut off your car.

I bought a dongle on Amazon to make my wired CarPlay wireless. It is working fine now with the wireless dongle purchased on Amazon. We shouldn’t have to go through hoops, deactivate this deactivate that and reactivate again and again. Thank you to the commentators who suggested using a wireless converter. Bad Apple! Good that you have this discussion group I’ve been having issues for a year took it to the dealer. They said it was the cord. I’ll keep you posted if anything changes. Peace and Blessings.