Level 2

163 points

CarPlay stopped working after iOS 26 update.

I have an iPhone 16 Pro and a third party head unit with CarPlay which has been working flawlessly for over two years with two different iPhones, an SE and my current iPhone 6 Pro. The morning after I updated my iPhone to iOS 26, the Maps screen did not appear on the device as it normally would and instead, a connection error screen appeared. I tried repeatedly to reconnect without success and in the evening, I found various accounts of how this problem had arisen in iOS 26 beta releases and that it might be fixed by resetting everything, forgetting devices etc. well, I sat in my car for an hour doing just that. I managed to connect to the device via Bluetooth and WiFi and when I tried to initiate CarPlay, the device appeared. When I selected it, a CarPlay screen came up which I okayed and then the device disappeared from the CarPlay settings.

I gave my old SE to my girlfriend and there is no problem when I try to connect with that but it doesn't work with my £1000 iPhone 16 Pro literally since I updated to iOS 26.

I think it is fair to say that the iOS 26 update broke and I'm pretty annoyed.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 7:14 AM

Top-ranking reply

director373

Level 1

18 points

Posted on Dec 7, 2025 7:05 PM

I had a similar issue when I upgaded the iOS to 26 on my phone. After troubleshooting for about 2 hours I finally figured it out. On your phone, go into Settings -> Screen Time -> Content & Privaacy Restrictions -> Allowed Apps & Features, and turn on CarPlay. Somehow the iOS update had changed toggled the setting to 'off'.

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197 replies

Mar 10, 2026 3:31 PM in response to Alf Megson

iPhone 15 plus running 26.3.1 Car Play worked up until updated . 26.3.1 does not work in THREE vehicles Have tried deleting phone from all vehicles and adding back in and still not working Any ideas?

Mar 27, 2026 6:02 PM in response to Jon_Mojo

Dude, thank you. I couldn’t figure out why it stopped registering as CarPlay-connected while still playing my Apple Music till I unplugged it and it refused to reconnect. I did exactly what you were told by them, and it instantly fixed the issue, somehow. I would have spent many hours trying multiple more cables, angry and frustrated and may not ever have figured it out if you hadn’t shared! You rule!

Mar 29, 2026 9:46 PM in response to LauraMackie

After months without using my wireless Carplay, finally after these steps I could get it back.

The only step missing in my infinite loop of unsuccessful tries was number 3, renaming my phone which I don't know if that was the "decisive" one but it's been a week without any unexpected disconnection.

Thanks!

Apr 30, 2026 4:34 PM in response to Alf Megson

I have that update and mine is STILL not working. I have a Toyota Camry 2019 XSE and no one can call me while I'm on Car Play, it won't ring. It will only display that they are calling, I have to see it pop up or I'll never know.

May 2, 2026 2:37 PM in response to Alf Megson

Ours stopped working as well and I’ve been reading things everyone else tried for over an hour and trying each one without any luck.

we’ve not had any problems with wired car play or Bluetooth car play until today after updating to IOS 26 last night. The only thing we haven’t don’t yet is use an actual Apple USB-C yet because we’re traveling. But have tried resetting phone, Bluetooth, etc. help!!

allroad

Level 1

6 points

Sep 28, 2025 9:01 AM in response to Alf Megson

Max 17 pro IOS 26 Carplay constantly dropping out ... Its not good enough !!!!

rich710

Level 1

14 points

Sep 29, 2025 9:41 AM in response to allroad

I have the same problem, the day after I connected my iphone 17 pro. Lose connection every 3-4 minutes. Reconnect immediately again, but it's very annoying

Sep 30, 2025 10:44 AM in response to Alf Megson

Same for me. iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26.

Carplay disconnects every couple of minutes and then reconnects again.

Sep 30, 2025 2:07 PM in response to Alf Megson

17 Max pro Carplay frequently disconnecting.. Its quite annoying. Is there anywhere we can find a solution for this?

Sep 30, 2025 4:54 PM in response to holls at whidbey

It seems you’re using a wired connection. Mine was wireless, but it kept dropping, which was a bit frustrating since it kept reconnecting on its own!

hindude

Level 1

12 points

Oct 2, 2025 6:11 AM in response to hindude

I just updated to 26.0.1 and the issue is still there. This bug needs a fix.

h0ser

Level 1

26 points

Oct 2, 2025 9:21 AM in response to Alf Megson

Same with me. Have a 17 pro now on OS26.0.1 still not working consistently with CarPlay.

Oct 3, 2025 6:04 AM in response to hindude

Was it working properly on iOS 18?

is your issue only on Wireless or Wired isn't working either?

Oct 3, 2025 2:02 PM in response to Alf Megson

My new Air with 26.0.1 can’t connect to my Mini Couper Car Play. Bummer. Get it fixed Apple.

Oct 3, 2025 3:51 PM in response to Alf Megson

iOS 26.0.1 has also not resolved the issue.

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CarPlay stopped working after iOS 26 update.