CarPlay Disconnecting - iPhone XS Max

Of course I tried the update - also have been in the beta program. I spend money on adapters an y-cables. Reinstalled the system twice. Reset all settings and reset my Headunit. Replaced all the cables (some even twice) and spent numorous hours researching on the net. I am driving a lot and really need navigation and audio to be reliable.

Thats why I gave up now - and changed to Android. (also because I think the prices for new iPhones are just getting ridiculous nowadays - especially regarding all the problems with quality and software!

I will still continue using my Macbook Touchbar Pro (which I also had many problems with until they swapped it with a 2018 new unit).

But I am definitely done with iPhones!

Thanks for the help everybody and good luck solving your problems!

iOS 12.1.3 is working for me in my 2018 Audi A4 allroad. I no longer have the problem with connections to CarPlay with iPhone XS as we’ve all described in these many messages.

However, recurrence of an old problem from earlier versions of iOS has returned, namely that if I’m on a call and then activate CarPlay, the other person cannot hear me but I can hear the other person. This was corrected with an earlier iOS update, but it has returned.

I had strong expectations to this update but sadly, my iPhone 8 keeps disconnecting in my Audi A4 Allroad -18 after iOS 12.1.3 update. Same problem and procedure as before. Worked well for the first 4-5 minutes of drive but then it disconnects frequently until I unplug in frustration...Tried pretty much all of possible solutions mentioned in this forum and other....

I guess the next step is android...

Hmmm... I did not know iPhone 8's where having the issue too. I only heard about the various X models. I would double check your cable to make sure the end that plugs into the iPhone does not look damaged. You can see on some lighting cables the copper prongs on the connector part get worn away or damaged. Also test with an official Apple cable if you are using a different cable. I would check the USB port on your Audi to make sure it is not loose.

Finally I would put it in airplane mode and see if it does the same thing. Airplane mode would silence any internet or GPS related alerts. My experience was when I got alerts it was disconnecting the iPhone but 12.1.3 fixed it.

Thanks for your input !

Ok, Yes it has the same issue...or at least mine has.

I have tried four different cables, including Apple genuine but also Audi genuine cable. Same disconnecting result...

Tried resetting the phone complete, reset only settings, airplane mode, add/remove car play and phone from car numerous of times...same result....

After some reasearch in different forums I found some information that a USB voltmeter connected between phone and car might fix the issue. So I purchased two different types of USB voltmeter...same disconnecting result...

My local Audi workshop has looked at it as well but they can´t find anything wrong either. USB ports works as supposed to, no lose fit either. Workshop only suspected missmatch between IOS and MMI firmware. There were at that time no new update to MMI software that would fix the issue...

The only way to get my iPhone to work with Carplay is to plug it in my brothers VW Passat, there it seems to work flawless. Makes me wonder if it is Audi problem still...but it is a bit of an "in between" problem. I can only say it is not working, whos fault it is would be another issue. Next week i will try it in a Audi A4 2017 version to see if same error occurs...(I will get back with information)

Anyway, I will try airplane mode one more time with the IOS 12.1.3 to see if it changes anything.

Fingers crossed.

I feel strongly this is an Audi MMI issue.

As I’ve recounted before, I’ve used my iPhone XS in more than two dozen rental vehicles of different makes and models—not at all exhaustive, but a very good sample size—-and encountered the problem only with 2018 Audi vehicles with iOS 12.1.1 through 1.1.2.

One other contributor notes noted he has the problem with a Chevy Malibu—I did not with my rental of a 2018 Malibu—but his is an older vehicle and therefore may be a software mismatch.

Anyhow—here’s hoping that each of you experiences success with this.

Audi wont update my MMI version unless there is a fix to the particularly problem in the new version...

Tried airplane mode with IOS 12.1.3 today but no change to my problem, keeps disconnecting.

Next test is my iPhone 8 in an Audi A4 2017 year model version during next week...

Wow you should really get your MMI updated. I had some iPhone X CarPlay disconnects problems when I was on 1117, which are now gone on 1329. 1329 is smoother overall and CarPlay opens faster when you start the car.

I'm happy to say my iPhone XS Max disconnects are also resolved with the new IOS firmware

Mine (2018 A5, iPhone XS Max) now seems to be nice and solid after the latest IOS update. I had mostly fixed the problem by using an original Apple cord but now my "other" cords all seem to work fine as well.

Drove around with both Apple Maps and Waze running today and it was rock solid.

Today I was informed by my Audi dealer that there are no new MMI update than my current version 0211...and therefore no fix to this.

The reason that MMI versions can differ between car models is depending on selectable add-on equipment for each car...

I have one more thing to try before leaving IOS to android and that is to plug in a iPhone X model...and see what happens...

Don't give up yet. Please try your iPhone X on iOS 12.1.3 in your Audi regardless of the MMI version.

I've had nothing but success--no dropped connections at all--with iPhone XS and X since the update. The last time I may have had an update to my MMI was August 2018 when I had my vehicle in for an inspection. I never regarded MMI as the culprit.

You and I have same vehicle—make, model, year—with same MMI and the same phone with same iOS. I don’t have the problem any longer.

Are you using genuine Apple cable? Do other devices work in your two USB ports in center console?

Hmm, very strange...

I have tried genuine apple cable before with no luck. This time I’m was only using the Audi genuine cable, specified for this type of connection. I guess I can try one more time with apple one...

I have tried an iPhone 7 as well (but no CarPlay function only charging) with same result. Switching on and off charge randomly...

I have had a usb meter plugged in also, connected both separate and in between car and iPhone (some had this as a possible solution) but it didn’t work for me. However when I have it plugged in together with iphone and it begin to disconnect randomly, I unplug the phone, my car still keeps disconnecting the usb power meter/usb port randomly.

Could it be something wrong the USB ports in my car? Although they have these ports tested in my Audi workshop...with no errors...

BTW, Thanks for your support!

That is what happened to me. Before the update I tried the apple cable and it didn't work. So I figured the after the update it wouldn't make a difference so after the update when I was still having problems I finally switch back to the Apple cable again and it's been working fine ever since

You can also use a pencil eraser to rub the ends of the lightning cable gently to restore the connectivity of metal.

It does seem that your issue is physical--either your phone jack or the vehicle or the cables.

Do you have another way to test the jack in the vehicle? Another phone, perhaps?

Do you have another way to test the phone in another vehicle? Is it recognized by your computer/iTunes when you plug it in?