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

pristine2 wrote:

There’s no point in spending hours and days chasing a non-existent solution. It’s a hardware problem affecting a percentage of the first phones shipped. Return and replace your phone. The replacement phone will function perfectly.

I don't think that's the right solution. I have a launch day iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Neither phone has any issues with CarPlay disconnecting.

Same on my W205, I tried using both wireless and wired. Ultimately I ended up returning the phone and buying a new 17 Pro and it's exactly the same.

Apple needs to look into this as I tried both 13 Pro and 16 Pro Max and works flawlessly (both wired and wireless).

I have contacted Apple Support multiple times to address this annoying WiFi CarPlay issue. Honestly, it is a shame on Apple that their support lack basic knowledge regarding their own products!

They are trying to avoid "admitting" it as an issue.

Anyways, I tried everything they asked for:

- have reset the network settings

- uninstalled and removed VPN protocols

- disabled Primary DNS

- renamed the iPhone

- reset all car connections

- disabled and enabled Content & Privacy Settings while enabling it for CarPlay

- ensured Siri is enabled

- and many other steps

Nothing worked!

Again, the CarPlay is just working fine on older iPhone models even with most recent iOS version.

We need an official response from Apple to address this issue, whether it be a software or a hardware issue and how to fix.

Many users returned their phones and got new phones that had the exact same behavior, so am not going to return mine for now until we have official reaponse from Apple!

iOS 26.1 on my iPhone 17 Pro is better than 26 or 26.0.1 were; only in that when wireless CarPlay does disconnect after a few minutes, it at least does not lock up the car head unit now. Previously the entire car system would lock up after the wireless CarPlay disconnection. Now the head unit continues to function but no CarPlay. Interestingly, if Maps is currently navigating, the audio prompts will continue to be heard through the Bluetooth connection on the car stereo but no CarPlay display. Only a 15 off of the car will get things back again. I've re-set the iPhone 17 Pro as USB only CarPlay and all is fine. This car worked flawlessly with my old iPhone 14 Pro Max wirelessly under all iOS's up through 26.0, when I regrettably traded it in for this iPhone 17 Pro.

Don’t get rid of or remove VPN

on your iPhone, as it provides crucial security and privacy benefits by encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address, especially on public Wi-Fi. While some situations may require temporarily disabling it, such as troubleshooting or accessing certain websites, keeping it enabled most of the time is recommended for protection against tracking and cyber threats. 

you can turn it off when you’re at home and you’re using your secured network Wi-Fi. 

VPN is not the cause of the disconnect. It’s something within the software of the IOS 26.1 and your Wi-Fi at home/work. Wi-Fi goes up and down and when it goes down, it may lose its connection with your router when Wi-Fi pops back up again it’s not talking to your iPhone (from the router to your iPhone). It all depends how strong your Internet service is which may have the effect on reconnecting to your iPhone when you walk in the door or when it drops. If you experience disconnects more often, you may want to check out your Internet service provider and router before making any decisions on the iPhone. You may want to get a stronger Mbps. 300 Mbps or higher. I’m sure Apple is working on a solution.

but keep complaining that’s the only way they know how to listen.

I complained about this issue since day one of getting my iPhone 17 pro. tried everything Apple recommended to fix including waiting for all the iOS updates I’m on 26.1 I even got Apple to exchange my phone for a new one still the same issue not sure what to do next. For context, I had a iPhone 15 pro and had zero issues. Apple support even took this and elevated it to a case and they say the engineers have it now whatever that. As of right now, the only solution is waiting for a new update.

Not even a single one!

Chris from JoyeAuto support told me this morning that they had just released this update a few weeks ago to address this issue specifically.

I am not sure if Apple had warned integrators sufficiently ahead of time, given the widespread issue. But it is fixable in software. Looks like it may need to originate from the carplay receiver device manufacturers, which explains why iOS updates do not resolve the problem.

A bug has been found by someone on the macrumors form. While there’s workarounds, it’s up to an update to fix it.

All you need to do is DELETE previous iPhone and PAIR new one with taping CODE displayed on your car device to your Bluetooth at Phone. Easy!

Lawrence you are a genius! Turning VPN off wasn't enough, had to delete. iPhone 17 Pro to Audi 2024 MMI

Thank you

My Jeep has 2 USB ports. I switched to the second port to connect and that solved the problem for me.

I’ve been on the same boat. 26.1 has made things better but still random disconnects.

having same wifi issues on my 17 pro max, wifi dropping randomly and repeatedly witn no service at all while my 16 pro max working flawlessly. This is on a high end mesh router with gigabyte fiber service. Something is off

Wifi at home works fine and CarPlay obviously not.

After change iPhone 16 pro max to 17 pro max my wireless CarPlay with Mercedes S-class W222 2020 year is broken. 

It connecting but after 1-3 min disconnects and wan’t connect again unless I restart a car or switch iPhone to plane mode including Bluetooth. 

I have update the firmware in wireless kit to latest and made reset of network settings in iPhone. 

No luck.

As far as I know you changed supplier of WiFi and Bluetooth to in-house production so believe it something not working here. 

any suggestions / fix ?

Same issue here, thinking about returning it (iPhone Air) tried to troubleshoot for hours with apple over the chat then phone. Could not solve. Both WiFi and Bluetooth turn off for a few seconds after unlocking. Impossible for CarPlay or AirPlay usage.