iPhone 17 CarPlay Disconnects and won’t work

Update: I did file a bug report to Apple. I also started a support chat with an Apple employee to talk about this issue. He suggested that I had to uninstall (!) my VPN apps, not just switch VPN off. And if this doesn't work, I should reset my network settings. He also promised that a higher ranked Apple employee would call me. Which he never did.

Well, I uninstalled all my VPN apps, sat into my car. After 20 seconds, CarPlay froze, 10 more seconds and it got disconnected. The sad usual behavior of iPhone 17 Pro with iOS 26 in CarPlay mode. So no change. I did give it several tries, made a drive for half an hour and there was no change. CarPlay froze after seconds or minutes.

So I did reset my network settings, losing all my WiFi passwords with that step. And CarPlay? No change. It freezes randomly. Sometimes after seconds, sometimes after minutes, like described above. So I reinstalled my VPN apps, since this didn't change anything.

I tried several things to check, if I can find any pattern in this behavior. Because as written above, sometimes I am witnessing that CarPlay will last a whole drive. Is this just coincidence of did I do something differently?

I noticed that when it works for a whole drive, I was in fullscreen mode of an app, not in the splitscreen view of the home screen. It happened two times when I was in the Maps app while navigating that it was working without any flaws. But it also crashed on me while navigating, but at least sometimes it worked. And it happened that I was in the "Playing Now" screen of my podcast app (Overcast), that it worked as it should. So I tried to enforce that, always being in the fullscreen mode of an app.

It seems that this helps a bit. I am experiencing that there are more drives that work without any flaws compared to those where I am in the splitscreen of the home screen. But it is no solution, because it still can and will freeze. I just can't predict when this will happen. The last time I drove for half an hour without any freezes and then I drove with the same setup (fullscreen mode of apps) for 15 minutes with 7 disconnects. Sometimes I connect my phone to the car and the moment I see something on my car's screen, it is already frozen. So it crashes within 3 seconds.

I will try to talk to Apple once again. But I think that they should get their act together and work on that problem fast. This behavior is not only unpleasant but also dangerous in everyday's traffic.

I have an iphone17 Pro Max, and my carplay worked fine until I upgraded to ios 26.1. After upgrading to ios 26.1, I get a blank screen in my car after connecting to CarPlay. I get the same symptom in my 2018 VW Jetta, my 2021 RAM 1500, and also wirelessly in a 2025 Toyota Camry. Different cables. When I connect using my iphone15, running 26.1, that phone works fine. So, it appears to be something with iPhone17 and ios 26.1. I've tried rebooting several times, resetting network settings, and nothing fixes the issue, nor changes my blank screen. All head units say I'm connected and Carplay is working, but I just have a blank screen on all vehicles.

I managed to fix the problem of pairing the iphone 17 with my both cars, without disconnecting. Solution was, to buy 2 proper cable USBC and install it, but it works only if the plug (not the side of USB port) is in a correct position which is with the side of the letters (writing on the plug) are up.

"[...]syncing correctly and it’s purely the 17 device with ios26 which has problems. And the above seems to be becoming widely reported quickly looking at X and Reddit."

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Report this DIRECTLY to Apple:

X and Reddit are not Apple. Nor is Reddit affiliated with Apple So, to get the word out to Apple, report it to Apple, directly. These are just user-to-user forums. Apple takes no time in reading these forums on their own will and time.

So, do your Part: Provide Apple with feedback on this, letting them know about this issue.  Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and what bug fixes to include in updates to come. Apple will know nothing of this, if you don't report it to them.

1. Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
2. Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
3. Comment: that this all began after installing an update. Include the URL of this thread.
4. Proceed from there as necessary

I just traded my iPhone 15 Pro Max in for a 17 Pro Max 3 days ago, iOS 26.1 and my AppleCar play is doing the same thing, non-stop freezing and disconnecting. I have tried numerous things recommended from youtube and nothing works. Reset network settings, reset infotainment unit in my vehicle, change the USB-USBC cord, set up wireless carplay, going into General-Screen Time-Content & Privacy making sure it's on. Nothing works. I am a bit annoyed because I would have just kept my iPhone 15 Pro Max longer knowing this. I don't have a built-in GPS in my 2023 Bronco I rely on Waze or Google Maps which also freezes and crashes. I hope Apple comes out with an update to fix this soon.

ok I think I found a solution, anyway - it works for now, until the next time it'll disconnect again.

I changed the connection cable to a cheap "ali-express" cable. not an original cable. it slows things down.

my thoughts are that the iphone 17 pro is super fast, and it's too fast and strong for the car's apple-car module. so the cheap cable helps by slowing things down.

I had connection issues with iOS 26, 26.01 and 26.1. Lots fewer with iOS 26.1 but still a couple, one every few days. Much better than previous but still an issue.

IF you are still having major issues after updating to iOS 26.1 I suggest that IF you have an Apple Store near by, stop in and have them check your iPhone to see if it has a problem.

While I'm still having some discount issues, it's typically once every 7-10 days, not like it was when iOS 26 was first released. I'm running the most current pre-release public offering so you might want to try it.

Apple's USB A/USB C does not allow CarPlay to work on my Lexus ES - cuts in and out or disconnects continuously. Went to dealership and was told my 5 year old car's tech is not as advanced as the iPhone 17 and that is the real problem. He suggested I buy a wireless CarPlay adapter with a dongle (without dongle the adapter would cover both available ports). Has anyone tried this? If so and it worked, what brand? Thanks

Issue is still happening in 26.1 with iPhone 17 Pro in a 2016 Mercedes GLE on multiple USB A to C carplay rated cables that work fine on our old 16 and 14 pros. Freeze and crash after a few moments. Very unsafe to be fiddling with this while driving.

I’ve been to the Genius Bar, phone was tested and no issues with the phone.

I was told by the people at the Genius Bar that I would have to wait for an update. I wanted to return the phone but was assured there would be an update by the lady at the Genius Bar and in fact she was also waiting for an update as she had the same issue. So I didn’t return the phone. I wish I had now it’s beyond the 2 week return policy.

Prior to going to the Genius Bar tried several versions of cable every one temporarily solve the issue then it becomes worse.

I was desperate and tried everyone’s fixes to no avail!

I went to Chrysler and there are no updates to connect. My car is a 2023 Chrysler 300C. They state it is up to date.

I need to have CarPlay working as I do use it for work.

Apple I ask you is there an update planned?

I also have a 2020 Jeep Cherokee and it does the same thing my Chrysler does. It also, tells me the software is up to date.

It started by freezing in maps, now it works intermittently and disconnects.

Battery life is not very good either.

Network connection is also poor.

I have all Apple updates. It says I am at 26.1…

I just got the IPhone 17 Max/Pro for Christmas, and as wonderful as the battery life is compared to my IPhone X Max/Pro I’m about ready to return this 3 week old phone for a full refund and go back to my X. EVERY SINGLE TIME I plug into my CarPlay through the brand new $50 “max value” cord that I was told will fix the connectivity issues, it has not. First I have to plug in, wait to hear the beep, verify the screen has not registered the phone, unplug it, wait 2 minutes, and then try again. This takes 2-4 tries every time I plug up. I’m literally wasting precious time from my life just because Apple sold this high dollar “look what I can do” cell phone that cannot so much as connect to Apple Car Play. These are supposed to be compatible products and when reinventing the wheel we couldn’t even ensure that these phones would work seemlessly across all their own devices and hardware? This was not even something to put on their list to check before rolling it out?

just a quick google search for a non college graduate and I see that

in the US 92% have cars

60% have iPhones

and with the exception of Tesla ALL MAJOR car manufacturers offer Apple Car play. Heck I can spend $50 to purchase and plug in to an older radio and it will mirror Car play.

I do know people that have been with GM for many decades and they have advised that they are “phasing Apple Car Play out”, and this recent “glitch” is causing them to incur a lot of costs because the blame is first to the “older car models” so they will no longer offer car play at the end of 2026.

I have an after market system that automatically updates when the updates are available and I am connected to my home wifi, so this is an iPhone 17 issue.

[Edited by Moderator]

I found that buying the overly priced beats cable from Apple directly solved my problem. USB-A to USB-C

I did all of the above. Did not work for my Lexus ES. Lexus says Apple knows it's a problem and they do not see this as a priority.

I'm have disconnection issues with wireless apple car play and iPhone Air. (works fine with my old 15MaxPro)

I've factory reset my pioneer car stereo and my car play randomly disconnects and reconnects ever so often.

Seems ok when using USB CarPlay.