CarPlay Disconnecting - iPhone XS Max

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.

Read everyone’s replies- I am having this same issues with my Max, but I have a BMW X1. Mine does not connect at all but says CarPlay is not supported, when it worked perfectly fine with my old iPhone 7!

Apple needs to fix this!

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..

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Same problem. 2018 Audi A5 Sportback. Switched from an iPhone X to XS Max. Running latest OS 12.1 cuts in and out. Old phone is fine, no issues. Just Carplay though the phone remains charging for the entire time.

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.

After much frustration I ordered a USB voltage meter and its worked since. Hasn’t cut out once. iPhone XS Max.

Here is the one I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D9Y6ZFW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UT F8&psc=1 <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D9Y6ZFW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UT F8&psc=1>

Well I installed the 12.1.1 update yesterday, did a reset on the network settings, and the problem recurred this morning. For my Honda CR-V whilst playing downloaded media (that's on the phone) connecting or disconnecting wifi or cellular data causes a carplay interruption or disconnection. I can cause the failure by doing this. There can be power supplied in parallel by a wireless charger and it makes no difference. An iPhone 6 in the same vehicle runs cleanly.