CarPlay Disconnecting - iPhone XS Max

What year and model of Acura?

I tried Bluetooth off, but that didn’t help.

Today I tried deleting my memorized vehicles from the CarPlay settings. In other words, it should be a first time fresh connection. I wonder if a glitch occurred in the connection history? Haven’t had enough drive time to test it.

I have a 2018 A5 but my car was built in '17 so both USB ports are center console.

Since I got my XS Max and the problem started (never had any issues with my prior iPhone X) I settled on using a 1" Anker cable which definitely helped but didn't completely fix the problem - I would get random disconnects for the first 5-15 minutes of driving (depending how charged the phone was) but then mostly stabilize. What apps I ran also made a difference - for maps Waze definitely was less stable, Apple Maps more stable. Also turning the screen off on the phone seemed to help.

However I switched to a standard length Apple original cable last week - and it's now (almost?) completely stable. I may have had one disconnect in the last week but it's been rock solid otherwise. From responses to my earlier post on that topic it doesn't sound like going to the original Apple cable is working for everyone but it seems to have worked for me.

I know of no resolution yet but I did test CarPlay on another vehicle — Peugeot 5000 — and I am not having any disconnects.

As a reminder for those who haven’t read the whole thread, I’m using iPhone XS on iOS 12.1.2. My primary vehicle where I use the iPhone with CarPlay is 2018 Audi A4 allroad. In an earlier post, I identified about two dozen vehicles I’ve used as a rental vehicle where I have NOT experienced the random disconnects. In my Audi, the random disconnects are plentiful.

I haven't had 100% success with it. The first time I tried it, it worked flawlessly. The second and 3rd times it didn't but the 4th and 5th time it did. So it's definitely more reliable but for me it's not 100% resolved.

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!

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.

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?

this is an older thread, but after dealing with this maddening issue for weeks, I finally discovered that - for me - the problem was my VPN. I turned my VPN off and all of the CarPlay connection problems disappeared

Yes me too. My car can’t connected apple CarPlay by iPhone XS MAX too. Tell me how to do it please.

Hi!! I knew how to do it. U have to deleted old your ID on iCloud.

I’m having the exact same issue!! I had zero problems with my iPhone 7 and 8. Now it keeps disconnecting!!! I’m hoping there is someone that can help with this!