Apple Carplay help- music crackling

Guys, I have the same problem as you described. The only quick fix I have found is to press the Siri (speak button on your steering wheel equivalent) and press again to cancel. When Siri is brought up and away, it will stop the crackling. This is the fastest way I have found without unplugging the phone.

Exactly the same problem here as of a couple weeks ago. CarPlay worked fine for a year. Was on 11.3 when it started, went up to 11.4 and problem is still there. If I download an episode from Netflix and play that audio through CarPlay, the drop out/crackling never happens but the problem happens so frequently in Apple Music that it's useless... after working fine for a year! Very frustrating!

I just purchased an Audi yesterday and I am experiencing the same issue. Crackling sounds from both bluetooth and CarPlay. I have an iPhone 7 plus, updated software overnight (from 11.3 to 11.4) and the issue persists. I love CarPlay and it was a factor I considered when I shopped around for a vehicle. Very frustrating but I am not sure if its an Apple issue or Audi's? A woman plugged in her phone and while the crackling noise existed (also had an iPhone), it was not as terrible as when I plugged in my phone. Any suggestions?

Very annoying issue - I took into VW dealership twice thinking the issue was with the head unit on the Car. They said it was Apple software outpacing whatever they were using on there side. I was really hoping that the latest update would fix the issue. I agree - its really painful. I now listen over Bluetooth as the crackle is too much - but then watching maps on my phone near the gear shifter isn't as ideal/safe as watching it on the car's screen.

I happened to rent a Kia this weekend - confirmed the issue was in that car as well (started to think it might have been my phone/cable, etc, but not the case)

Same issue here. Just started driving a new Subaru Crosstrek and the crackling happens within 10 minutes of being plugged in. Have to unplug and listen with bluetooth, which means I can't charge my phone and listen to music or use the maps on Carplay at the same time. Pretty absurd and defeats the whole purpose of having Carplay at all.

Same issue with me, I have a Chevy Volt 2016 -> crackling sound when using CarPlay. I have both iPhone SE and iPhone X both with 11.4.1. Exact issue as described above. I love CarPlay but I’m getting pretty fed up with all of the bugs - it’s almost unusable at this point.

I have the same issue on my Chevy Volt - and unplugging the USB does cure it for a few minutes just like it does for you, but it repeats as you say. I learned that instead of unplugging, you can shut down the music app (Apple or Spotify or whatever) and restart the app. That works the same as unplugging. It will occur again after a few mins, but saves the hassle of unplugging. Either way, it's a major pain in the butt...

I get the same crackling issue it happens after about one or two minutes. I notice mostly when I‘m using the iphones functions that require audio. Primarily for me it is phone calls, probably because I make a lot of calls in the car! The only cure I found was unplugging and plugging back in the lighting/USB connection. How do I know I have the latest soft/firmware for my car? I have the latest iOS 11.4.1 on an iPhone 7.

I have a Subaru Crosstrek and have the same problem. It makes CarPlay useless for music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Does anyone know if Android Auto has similar problems? After all the problems like this that I've had with my iPhone I'm considering switching to an Android.

I can confirm that calling up Siri works for me too (to temporarily stop the cracking noise) - as long as the double beeps from Siri are heard. Sometimes it does not beep and then the cracking continues. One other thing I learned is that it seems to be vehicle dependent. I have the same phone and when I use it on my 2016 Chevy Volt I frequently get the cracking noise but when I use the same phone on my new vehicle, I have not heard it yet - 1 month later. The newer vehicle has an Alpine i207 in it with CarPlay, and the head unit software seems to have a couple of features that the Chevy is missing, so I am assuming it's newer software.

Wow Audi and Subaru affected? I thought it was just Hyundai. Possibly Cartronics make head units for Audi/Toyota & Subaru...

This is the issue and it's been an issue for over 6 months since iOS 11.3 and it doesn't look like it's being fixed in iOS 12 either. I would elaborate but Apple deletes posts if you mention anything about confidential information AKA a public beta (go figure!)

Apple CarPlay audio distortion iOS 11.3 to iOS 12 Beta 6 - Hyundai & others using 'CARTRONICS' - YouTube

I’m having exactly the same issues, but just with normal Apple Music through my ear phones. I upgrade next month so I may consider ditching apple if they don’t sort. It’s literally been an ongoing issue for me for the last 6 months.