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

iOS 26.0.1 did not fix the CarPlay issue. I am still having the exact same issue. It tries to connect automatically. You can see the CarPlay icon is dim, but then it will disconnect and I always have to connect. It manually never had an issue with the last iOS. I have the iPhone 16 Pro.

CarPlay Issues: iPhone 17 Pro 26.0.1

2021 Dodge Charger - Plugged in CarPlay drops every 1-5 minutes. Need to unplug and re-plug to fix. Will not pick up wires CarPlay, treats it as a phone with no CarPlay. No issues ever with my old iPhone 13.

2022 Chevy Tahoe - CarPlay wireless no issues, have not tried wired.

I went back to using my 16Pro with 26.01.1 and still had big problems connecting wired to carplay. I used a 10gig cable. I believe it is not a hardware problem, since previously my 16Pro worked flawlessly in my 2022 Genesis G80. The problem is with IOS. 26 and 01.1 created the problems.

Latest iOS doesn’t fix the problem. CarPlay wired works (thankfully) but the combination with Carlinkit 5.0 (also the latest firmware) causes a freeze and the endless trying reconnect.

so nothing I can do at this point but waiting for another update and hoping it’s a software update that fixes the issue.

I made the post on Reddit so I’ve read plenty about this. The vpn fix has helped very few people, so it’s worth a try. Most people who’ve commented on my post tried the vpn fix and have had no luck. Within this Apple discussion, the vpn fix has been crowned as the king fix, it’s not. Even people who have updated to 26.0.1, which supposedly fixed the issue (and it did fix it for many)

Of all these people still having the issue, the vpn fix did not work.

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed fix even with the updates.

[Edited by Moderator]

I’m also having the same issue, whenever I plug my Apple 17 Pro Max into my CarPlay, my calls drop within 1-3 minutes on every call and my maps freeze. Causing me to unplug/plug my phone in again. I’ve never had an issue with my Apple 15 pro max and my cars software is up to date.

I called Apple today, ran diagnostics and still is persisting. I have even had Tmobile disconnect my services twice. I ordered a new USB-C to USB-A hoping that works. All my software updates are up to date also. Does anyone have any other solutions? I also might back up my phone and factory reset it again? I don’t not use a VPN either

0 issues with my 14 pro, immediate issues with 17 pro. Music constantly skipping, maps being laggy or delayed, error messages in the car about phone not responding. It happens every single time and it’s constant.

I can confirm, there must be an issue with the new iPhone 17 series.

Yesterday, I got a new iPhone 17 Pro Max. Tried today to connect to my Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max car wirelessly. Wireless CarPlay is not working (can we call it Cargate?!). It has iOS 26.0.1 by the way.

I tried to connect iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 26.0.1 and connects without issue. Tried to connect the 17 with wire, it just worked. However, wireless connection is not working.

Is Apple recognizing this issue in any way?!

I’ve tried everything, including three different iPhone 17 and Pro models, but nothing has worked. It appears that the issue is with maintaining the WiFi connection on older CarPlay radios. I’m considering returning all three of our family phones and reverting back to our 14Pro models. I’ve been patiently waiting for an update to resolve this issue, but I’m growing increasingly frustrated with the wait.

It’s not your router it’s your new iPhone! It could be because of iOS 26.1. That’s when mine started. This is an Apple problem and it has to be corrected by Apple. I talked to my provider AT&T and they agree.

Hello Lawrence

I'got similar problem with my CarPlay. Some car radios are not compatible with iPhone 17 and iOS 26.0.1 (my case). My iPhone X uses iOS 18.6.2 and was running perfectly well!

Too bad! Replacing with an Android phone!

Good Luck!

iPhone 17 Pro - iOS 26.1 - Still crashing

Since I changed to iPhone 17 Pro CarPlay is always crashing or freezing.

Tested it wired with USB and wireless with Ottocast Mini Cube 3.0.

No chance to have a working CarPlay longer then a few minutes.

Different crahes. Sometimes just disconnecting without reconnecting. Sometimes whole CarPlay is freezing.

My iPhone 15 Pro worked like a charm with iOS 18.x and 26.0. So it is definitely a problem with the iPhone 17 Pro.

I rented a Hyundai Kona and my 17ProMax worked perfectly with CarPlay never disconnecting. However, my regular car has an aftermarket CarPlay adapter that worked perfectly before but now frequently disconnects. Either iOS 26 doesn’t like aftermarket adapters or there’s an issue with the new Apple modem not liking aftermarket adapters. I’m not changing phones so I sure hope there’s a firmware fix.

I have the issue where wireless CarPlay disconnects after a few minutes and locks up the car head unit. Wired works fine. It is unrelated to an Apple Watch in my case.

I had no issues with iPhone 15 pro and CarPlay connectivity. Just got my 17 pro Friday and can connect but intermittently drops out then reconnects over and over…what’s the story here Apple?