CarPlay disconnects during a phone call with iPhone 15 Pro Max

Alright, I have good news. Last night, I went through the process in this article: If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support. So far, this issue appears to be resolved for me. I'll detail the steps I took below:

It was an extremely frustrating process. I used a Windows PC with the Apple Devices application installed. The Apple Devices application leaves much to be desired. If you plan to attempt this, I would suggest trying it on a Mac if possible. When using a Mac, this whole process is completed using Finder. This way you might avoid some of the issues I'll mention below. Doing it on a Windows PC required a lot of patience and perseverance.

With the Apple Devices app running, I connected my iPhone 15 Pro Max to my Windows PC using Apple's usb-c cable. I changed the settings on the app to back the entire phone up to the computer and went through the back up process. If any of the settings aren't applying correctly or it's not taking your password to setup the encrypted backup, just unplug your phone and plug it back in. I opted for the encrypted backup option because it said that without it, it won't backup any sensitive info from the phone like passwords, etc.

Once the backup process was completed, I left my phone connected to the computer via usb-c and put the phone in recovery mode. To put the iPhone 15 Pro Max in recovery mode, press volume up, press volume down, then press and hold the power button until the screen displays a power cord and laptop on it (continue holding the button even after you see the apple displayed on the screen). It's the same process as a forced restart, but you continue to hold the power button until the restore screen is displayed.

Once the phone is in recovery mode and connected to the computer, a prompt will appear from the apple devices app saying that there is a problem with the phone and that it must be restored. Don't click update, click the option to restore the phone. This will erase everything on the phone, download a new iOS installation file and install it on the phone.

During the restore process, I ran into some issues. The first time, it failed about 30 seconds into the restore for error code 9. I put the phone back into recovery mode using the volume up, volume down, hold power method. After the prompt displayed again on the Apple Devices app, I went through the restore process again. This time, it made it more than halfway through the restore before returning error code (1109). 06B4.0000. Using tips from this post: Receiving an error code (1109) in the mid… - Apple Community, I changed the DNS settings on my PC to Google's DNS Server, put the phone back into recovery mode and attempted the restore process a third time. The third attempt at restore completed successfully. I don't know that the DNS settings change actually affected anything, it may have worked the third time without it. I just figured changing the DNS settings isn't really a big deal, so I did it.

After the iOS restore process, I used the backup I made when I first started this process to recover all of my data. You will have to answer a few prompts on the phone first like language preference, wifi network, etc. Finally, it will ask how you want to setup the new phone, I chose the option to restore from a backup on a connected computer. At this point, the Apple Devices app on PC should automatically display a menu where you can choose to restore the phone from a backup. You select the backup on this screen and start the process.

When restoring data from the backup, the app appeared to freeze the first time. I disconnected the phone, plugged it back in and attempted it again. The second time was successful. During the second attempt, the Apple Devices app actually recognized the iPhone as my iPhone's name instead of just generic iPhone. I think because of this, it allowed me to access the restore from backup option from a different screen and displayed a progress bar (it was actually a progress circle). The iPhone displayed a purple screen that said "restore in progress" during both attempts.

The whole process took me about 4 hours. I think it would've been less than half had I not had any issues with the Apple Devices app. This is why I would suggest using a Mac (on Mac, this process can be completed using Finder).

Finally, I connected my phone to carplay this morning and had a 25 minute phone call on my way into work. It did not disconnect at all.

The issue is definitely on Apple's end. I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18.3.2.

In my 2023 Silverado with wireless carplay, it randomly disconnects during phone calls. It usually takes about ten seconds for it to reconnect and will usually do it again depending on how long my phone call lasts. Car came with usb-a and usb-c ports. Connecting via USB-C to USB-C cord, same result as wireless. Connecting via USB-A to USB-C, same result. Disabling carplay and only using bluetooth, no connection issues. Silverado software is up to date.

In my 2020 Escalade with wired carplay, it does the same exact thing. If I don't plug the phone in, it only connects to the vehicle via bluetooth and I don't have any problems using only bluetooth. Escalade software is up to date.

Finally, my sister has a 2024 XT5 with an even newer infotainment system than my Silverado. Same issue when using carplay both wireless and wired. She has an iPhone 15 Pro, but I can't remember what version of iOS.

So, this issue seems to be present at least with both Ford and GM vehicles. The GM Vehicles that I have both have different infotainment systems with different software. My sister's XT5 infotainment system is a different system and software than the Silverado. That makes it four different infotainment systems between our two posts with one common denominator, the iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max. Also, I've seen other posts on here about the same issue with an iPhone 15 Pro variant. I'm not sure if other iPhone models are experiencing the same issue or not. I will try updating my iPhone to the latest iOS, but I doubt it will make a difference. I've had this issue for a long time now, across several iOS updates.

I'd probably disable bluetooth or enable wi-fi calling. The sync software is taking over the connection and disconnecting CarPlay.

"Thank you for the tips - I forgot to mention I reset the phone to factory settings completely from scratch after backing up my data. No change. All of the other suggestions have already been done without effect. The car dealer told me this is an issue with the iPhone 15 as they have seen similar issues with multiple iPhone 15’s."

-------

You are welcome.

Excellent job troubleshooting!

A. Clear "System Data"

Clear the storage named "System Data" (formerly called "Other"). It basically contains unnecessary files such as caches that are used for system ease of use - all of which gather over time: How to Clear "System Data" in your iPhone's Storage: - Apple Support. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use.

B. Disable ScreenTime in-Full:

You report that "Car Play is allowed in Screen Time"... So, try disabling Screen Time, in-full.

C. Unpair All Other Items from Car's Stereo:

I often have issues with CarPlay, and it seems that I have to remove my other devices from the audio system, and then search for it, and add it back.

"Install another eSIM from another carrier to rule out a problem from the carrier."

-------

New eSIM or New iPhone or New Carrier?:

If your Carrier cannot provide you with a successful eSIM card, the see if they try another. If that can't fix this, then a new Carrier may the the way to go. You have an extremely new device, by the date of release. So, if less than one-year old, see if Apple will assist you with this. The offer a one-year, out-of-the-box, limited-warranty with this. So, set up a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store, and see where services can go from there.

That's awesome, I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Unfortunately, the nearest Apple Store is pretty far from me. I just read a support article detailing the process of connecting the phone to a computer, putting it in recovery mode, and restoring iOS using either Finder on Mac or Apple Devices on PC. This process was suggested on another post for a corrupted iOS. I'm not sure if this would have the same effect as the process the engineer used. They probably have access to utilities that I don't have. I'm gonna give it a shot tonight and see what happens. I'll report back on whether or not it's successful. I'm thinking that unless this works or I can find time to make it out to the Apple Store soon, I may just upgrade to a newer model.

Support Article: If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support

What if it is corrupted - Apple Community

I noticed that Bluetooth and WiFi must be on for CarPlay to sync with my 2022 GMC truck that disconnects periodically when I’m in the middle of a call. BUT I then noticed that it shows being connected to the trucks WiFi but DISCONNECTED via Bluetooth connection.

So then disconnected the phones ability to connect to the truck via Bluetooth since it says it’s disconnected anyways BUT then CarPlay stops working all together.

So the iPhone 15 pro max shows it’s not connected via Bluetooth to my truck only via WIFI but when Bluetooth is turned off it disconnects car play.

Maybe the glitch is related to that happening.

"Apple Car Play (wired) Disconnects Only During A Phone Call iPhone 15 Pro Max AT&T: I have the opinion at this point, after doing all of this troubleshooting and hardware replacement on the car after 6+ months of troubleshooting, that the issue is with the iPhone 15 Pro Max itself."

-------

If it comes to it, you may want to backup your iPhone to a computer, and then try resetting this to Factory Settings.

But try the following, first...

Troubleshooting CarPlay:

A. Driver's Manual:

Read your driver's manual to find out more about syncing this.

B. Re-Pair the iPhone:

Remove the iPhone from the car (if already paired), and then perform this paring session.

C. Try Being in Park:

For many, they must have their automobile in park to get this to all pair.

D. Visit this Link: If you need help with CarPlay - Apple Support

E. Note: Usually takes me three tries, being my automobile does not have a log of synced devices.