CarPlay Disconnecting - iPhone XS Max

Dear all wise and all knowing Apple Community 🙂


I recently switched from my iPhone 7+ running iOS 12.0 to an iPhone XS Max running iOS 12.0.

I have a 2018 Audi S4 with the latest firmware from Audi.


With the switch to the XS Max, seems that my Apple CarPlay will get into a cycle of disconnecting and reconnecting

every 30 seconds or so.


I tried reverting back to my 7+ and works fine.


1. Siri is enabled.

2. The USB Lockout is turned off on the XS Max. The 7+ had the lockout turned on

but made no difference in the XS Max toggling on or off.

3. Swapped the cables to the one in the box of the iPhone XS Max and USB ports

in the car. This had no impact on the XS Max recycling the connection. The 7+ is uneffected

business as usual.


Not sure if this is tied in with the authentication issue with the charger. I go over wired carplay and the 30

second increment is suspect as that is my lockout time on the phone.


Curious if others are facing this.


Thanks!


-ravilach

iPhone XS Max, iOS 12

Posted on Oct 2, 2018 11:50 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 8, 2019 6:10 PM

I solved the problem - at least for me. I have a 2018 A5 which was working just fine with my iPhone X but disconnects regularly with my xS Max.


Until - just the other day - I tried a genuine Apple lightning cable. And voila, problem is solved. I am suddenly having no issues at all, can run as many apps as I want. I even tried running Waze and Apple Maps at the same time and it was rock solid.


I have generally used high quality third-party cables (usually Anker) and have rarely had issues elsewhere. But all I can say is try the genuine Apple cable and see if it helps. It worked for me.

270 replies

Nov 21, 2018 11:52 AM in response to allan134

I have the same issue with CarPlay disconnecting in my 2018 Audi A4 Allroad. I have been visiting my Audi workshop aswell for some troubleshooting with no luck. They could only refere to miss match between iOS version and Audi MMI versions and advices me to wait for upcoming updates...if any...


I did a quick try of the above mentioned tip with flight mode but it didn’t work for me. I will try again...

One more thing, for information, is that I also have the Audi phone box with wireless charging of my iPhone 8 but when connected to CarPlay USB port but it still keeps disconnecting (regardless of wireless charging or not). It is getting very frustrated, since it is a neat function that only should work...


I’ve tried my phone in a Volkswagen Passat CarPlay system and it works flawless, makes me wonder if it is an Audi problem still?

Nov 26, 2018 2:02 PM in response to ravilach

Same issue in my 2018 Q5, went from an iPhone 6 to an iPhone XS over the holiday. The cable I was using with my old phone and had zero issues with would cause a disconnect. I tried the brand new cable that came with my phone and I thought that solved it, until today when it would connect and then disconnect. I was starting to think something was wrong with my new phone, but I'm not the only one from the posts here. I've got to take my car in next week for service, if I hear anything from the dealer I will definitely update my post. Sounds like its an issue on Apple's end though from everyones posts.

Nov 28, 2018 11:19 AM in response to ravilach

I'll add to the mix. Having the same problem.


iPhone XS, running 12.1 and will disconnect on both 2018 Audi A4 and 2018 Audi Q5. Noticing a trend, as this was not an issue when I was using an iPhone 8.


Apple and Audi need to figure this out and fix the issue. Both products cost a premium and as such, should perform flawlessly together. We shouldn't have to troubleshoot, figure out and purchase secondhand solutions for these things..

Nov 28, 2018 2:05 PM in response to wise_er

So I want to report back and say that so far getting this usb power meter and connecting the phone through it to the car has worked wonders. I haven’t had a power based disconnect since using it.


I have had it not want to work when starting the car once. I had to unplug the power meter and plug it back in a few seconds later and it started working again.


Once my phone connects to CarPlay, I don’t have any issues. I think I’ve driven for about 5 total hours since starting it. This solution is ok for a band aid but I expect way better from Audi/apple and I look forward to not needing to use this workaround.


For reference, 2018 Audi Q7/iPhone XSM 512


This is not a paid post, and feel free to check whatever products out that you want, but this is the exact unit I ordered:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GGXZYV5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_paX.BbGR3CJG0

Nov 28, 2018 2:50 PM in response to jtmcke

I want to echo jtmcke’s update. I bought the exact same USB tester four weeks ago and have had no problems since plugging it in. I’ve tested it for many hours now, with music, phone calls, Apple Maps, Waze, and Overcast. I previously bought a different USB tester (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3JSEG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_OMX.BbBN0BFK7) and it did not work. So apparently the type of meter makes a difference.


iPhone XS Max / iOS 12.1.1 / 2018 Audi A5 Sportback

Nov 28, 2018 2:58 PM in response to jayshep

I ordered one and hope it works. I will say this I think it’s important to reach out to apple and let them know you are having an issue. I reached out to them on the internet chat and someone called me to follow up. I of course had tried almost everything they suggested but they have created a ticket and engineering is working on it supposedly. Anyway I think if more people properly report the same issue that maybe they will pay attention to it. The nice representative on the phone told me he did not have anyone else report this issue to his knowledge.

Nov 28, 2018 3:21 PM in response to ravilach

2018 Q5. iPhone XS. Same issue. I get a max of 30-60 seconds of connectivity then the MMI tells me I have no compatible device plugged in. My phone is on the latest iOS (as of this date 12.1). Another thing I noticed is that when I switch the MMI to Media, there is a message on the screen about there being an issue with the power on my device. Disconnecting the cable and reconnecting gives me another 30-60 seconds then poof.. Same thing. Sad, one of the nicer features the car has with CarPlay and Waze on the phone.. Works GREAT! for 30-60 seconds. Hope this gets corrected soon. I also came from an iPhone 7 that worked perfectly.

Nov 28, 2018 9:40 PM in response to QandnotU

I can also confirm, not every usb meter work. Purchased one from my local computer dealer but with this type plugged in my A4 allroad 2018 USB port, CarPlay doesn’t even start up. Phone will just charge...


Tried the tip with flight mode more thoroughly as well, with no luck. Keeps disconnecting CarPlay...


I will go and order the usb meter from amazon today. Hope it works until apple (or Audi) can solve this issue.


I have the iPhone 8, running on iOS 12.1.

Nov 29, 2018 10:52 AM in response to jonas_j44

Uplate, tried once more with my “no name” usb meter and did manage to get it to connect with my Audi and apple CarPlay, but sadly just for about 20 seconds and then it disconnected. Conclusion, same behavior as before without the usb meter plugged in sadly...


But I noticed that when CarPlay goes in ”disconnecting mode” the display of the usb meter starts to switch on and off. Like it has bad power connection in the USB port of my car or something. This on/off switching continues simultaneously until I unplug the usb meter or if it automatically connects with CarPlay again, and then the disconnecting procedure starts over again...


I ordered the amazon usb meter today and will let you guys know how this works when I receive and can try it.

Dec 1, 2018 4:04 PM in response to ravilach

I got a call back on my support ticket. Basically they said there is a software issue specific to certain vehicles. At this point they have no solution. The rep said he was on a long list of reps that will get a mass communication once they have a solution and he would contact me then, basically we have to wait for the next iOS update. Yes it ***** that CarPlay isn’t working properly but hopefully they will have a fix in the next update.

Dec 3, 2018 1:23 PM in response to jonas_j44

Just a follow up, I received the Amazon usb meter today, but sadly, it doesn’t work for me. Same procedure after about 2-3 minutes...


It continued for the whole trip until I unplugged it in frustration. I then plugged in the usb meter again, without phone, and it continues to switch on and off. Remark, this is without a phone connected! I tried both my meters and both had the same issue, regardless of which USB port I used.


Either is it an Audi problem or CarPlay messes up something in the usb power/communication with the car. I had to restart my car in order to get it to work properly again together with usb meter connected...


I recorded the behavior and will show it to my local Audi workshop.

Dec 4, 2018 9:36 AM in response to ravilach

To my opining the condition might me linked to a second iPhone connecting or trying to connect through bluetooth.

I have noticed when my second iPhone is connected through bluetooth but no as CarPlay. My primary iPhone XS Max keep on trying to connect but without success: connecting disconnecting etc.

If I turn off the bluetooth of my second iPhone and the car bluetooth stops trying to connect first it stops connecting disconnecting and I then got the message "connect a compatible device" after some time couple of seconds to 1 minute max CarPlay gets connected.

Tomorrow I am planning to try by turning the bluetooth of the car off.

Not sure but I am wondering if apple CarPlay will be connected wireless in new updates.

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CarPlay Disconnecting - iPhone XS Max

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