Poor audio quality on iPhone 18 Pro with Apple CarPlay

Question

Level 1

7 points

Poor audio quality on iPhone 18 Pro with Apple CarPlay

I just got the new iPhone 18 Pro on launch day and transferred all my data from my old phone onto it. I’ve noticed multiple bugs already however the one I’m most concerned about is the fact that when I connect the phone to my Apple CarPlay, the audio quality is terrible and it’s unlistenable. After trying it with my brand new phone, I connected my friends iPhone 15 Pro and the quality on their phone sounded perfect on CarPlay. Is this just another bug that Apple is gonna fix or is something just wrong with my phone entirely? I’m not sure if it’s the phone itself or if it’s because it has IOS 27 on it but it’s really annoying

iPhone X, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 21, 2026 8:43 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Arneriis

Level 1

0 points

Sep 24, 2026 8:13 AM in response to ethelcain

I’m also experiencing poor audio quality in a phone Call when I connect my iPhone 18 Pro Max to CarPlay. After disconnecting from CarPlay, the audio quality on my AirPods is also poor sound in a call until I restart the iPhone.

I’ve tried iOS 27.2, but the issue is still there. It’s incredibly frustrating. I’ve also reported the issue to Apple through the Feedback Assistant.

Reply

Answer 2

DanJetta

Level 1

0 points

Sep 26, 2026 8:18 AM in response to ethelcain

Same here. My son and I both got 18 pro (Verizon) and sound quality is terrible on CarPlay. When I change to speaker it goes back to high quality. Does this in all CarPlay vehicles I’ve tried (Toyota and Jeep/Chrysler) and it’s only the 18 pro phones.

Reply

Answer 3

ch6rges

Level 1

8 points

Sep 24, 2026 8:05 AM in response to ethelcain

What carrier do you have? I have this issue with TMobile

Reply

Answer 4

firmdot

Level 1

0 points

Sep 28, 2026 5:46 PM in response to ethelcain

I have the same problem. So do others - https://www.reddit.com/r/CarPlay/comments/1wlsgaq/carplay_phone_calls_sounds_much_worse_on_iphone/

Reply

Answer 5

ch6rges

Level 1

8 points

Sep 24, 2026 8:18 AM in response to Arneriis

What carrier do you have? I am wondering if this is a carrier issue or something hardware related, it doesn't make sense to be hardware related in my opinion if calls not on bluetooth or carplay sound fine. Its genuinely ******* me off

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 25, 2026 9:26 AM in response to S02174415

Same!! I have t mobile. But if I connect to car play and then disconnect phone calls are super muffled on the phone speaker and AirPods. But then it sometimes goes away after a various amount of time. It’s so weird. Stupid phone can do so much but can’t make a call.

18 pro. Also connected to car play via Bluetooth/wirelessly

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 4, 2026 12:31 AM in response to ethelcain

has this gotten better for anyone after the 27.0.1 update? It still sounds horrible for me. I’m on Verizon and my vehicles are Jeep. I’ve done all troubleshooting - restarts, hard restarts, reset network settings, new eSIM, new usb cable, and re-setup CarPlay multiple times. It’s not quite a showstopper for me, but it’s getting close. The call quality is so horrible.

Reply