How can I fix Wi-Fi and CarPlay issues on iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Hi All, starting this thread as I purchased an iPhone 17 Pro Max today. Obviously it’s launch day so there’s not too much information on bugs as iOS 26 has recently come out in conjunction with the release of this phone. However, I’ve noticed some issues with my new phone and was wanting to see whether this is a ‘just me’ issue or it seems to be impacting other users.


Ive noticed that my wifi consistently was dropping in and out on setup and that my wireless apple carplay seems to disconnect intermittently.


I have tried a network settings reset with no resolution (twice) but would be really frustrated to have to reset my phone completely after transferring all my data across to my new phone.


I may end up returning this device and getting another one if any further issues persist whilst the return window is still an option.




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Wifi issues on iPhone 17 Pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 19, 2025 12:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 1:57 PM

Have you tried removing VPN, just for laughs?


An important and frequently overlooked fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, OS version and network that the device uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your device, then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.

Here's more detail about: VPN - What you need to know

291 replies

Sep 25, 2025 8:20 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Why not? And having VPN on your iPhone does not have anything to do with having your home server on the internet.

This is my use case, describe in your VPN article:

* To allow access to a private network such as a school or business when you are not on site. 


Anyway, I deleted the VPN & VPN profile from my phone, restarted it; still the same

Sep 25, 2025 1:50 PM in response to dajev

Hi there, I am having similar issues. I upgraded to an iPhone 17 pro two days ago. Quickly noticed that it will not connect to my 2019 jeep grand Cherokee CarPlay. Another issue Im having is there is one specific iPhone contact where our text messages keep going in and out as SMS and iMessage. Extremely frustrating. I have been on the phone with apple support with not much help. Extremely disappointed with this upgrade :(

Sep 25, 2025 7:37 PM in response to dajev

I am having issues with Blueetooth connectivity. My airpods seem to work, however my smart scale won’t connect. My Garmin Venu3S keeps disconnecting while using the phone with the watch on my wrist. I tried resetting network settings, restarting the phone, turning Blueetooth on/off, airplane mode, resetting the scale. Nothing works. On my car, it is disconnecting and reconnecting sporadically (regular Bluetooth, not CarPlay). My old iPhone 14 Pro (that I still haven’t completed a trade in) works just fine. That one is running on iOs18.6.2 while the new iPhone 17ProMax is running on 26.0. I am hoping the fix this soon.

Sep 26, 2025 10:37 AM in response to dajev

Just purchased an iphone 17 Pro. It disconnects from Carplay about every 10 minutes. It's incredibly frustrating and dangerous when using GPS in the city. I have to keep unlocking my phone to pull up the GPS app. I've confirmed that the software on my iphone and vehicle display are up to date. My previous iphone worked flawlessly. If this isn't fixed soon, I'll need to figure out how to get my old device I traded in back. Right now, I feel like I was scammed into purchasing a downgrade.

Sep 26, 2025 1:49 PM in response to dajev

I have a 2020 Toyota rav4 and a iPhone 15 pro with IOS 26. Im having issues connecting to my CarPlay too. I only have CarPlay via USBC cable. It’s connects for a second then cuts out. I’ve shut my phone off, restarted my car and the radio screen itself. I’ve deleted the vpn app on my phone and restarted it everything as well. I’ve bought new cables. I tried forgetting the device and starting over. And now it won’t connect really at all. It pops in and then disappears in seconds or just won’t show up all.

Sep 26, 2025 11:47 PM in response to dajev

Count me in. Wireless CarPlay disconnects on my new 17 Pro all the time. No VPN or Apple Watch or anything like that, and my old iPhone 14 upgraded to ios 26 worked fine. Have to admit I regret trading it in, now.


Today marks day 7 of the 14 calendar days Apple gives to return an item. In other words, if there isn't a fix by this time next week, well... I'm going to have a decision to make.

Sep 27, 2025 9:29 AM in response to EYYCHEEV

It is possible that this is also in question because in addition to the problems we are writing about in the topic , my wife's sister screen stopped working after 10 minutes of use on iPhone 17 Pro. Since she bought the phone like I did during the preorder, they don't have to give her another one and declare that hers is DOA. This has never happened to Apple until now, and we have been using them as a family for years.

Maybe the first deliveries didn't pass QA because of the rush...


[Edited by Moderator]

Sep 28, 2025 7:56 AM in response to dajev

I live in remote Alaska. Got my IPhone 17 Pro day before yesterday. Had to do a very long remote (no cellular) drive yesterday on unfamiliar logging roads. iPhone kept disconnecting from wired CarPlay. First thought it was the cable, I so swapped out the cable. Kept happening. Rebooted WiFi several times and would work for 5-15 min before crashing. It was very frustrating because I was using a remote navigation app to follow on the vehicles screen. Also Audible app stopped working completely until I got back in cellular range. Made for a very long drive where I had to keep reference to my phone every time I came to an intersection or off spur.

Sep 28, 2025 1:53 PM in response to dajev

I have the same issue with my wireless CarPlay and I'm anxiously awaiting a solution. Everything worked perfectly with my 14 ProMax but my 17 ProMax constantly drops and then reconnects (most of the time) 10 minutes or so later. I have no VPN but have an Ultra 1 paired. I sure hope this is a software issue and not hardware. Frustrating that they would switch from Broadcom before this chip was ready.

How can I fix Wi-Fi and CarPlay issues on iPhone 17 Pro Max?

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