iPhone 17 CarPlay Disconnects and won’t work

It seems iOS 26 on the iPhone 17 pro has a CarPlay issue. whilst CarPlay comes on and looks like it will work fine, after 20 seconds or so it just disconnects.

And when posting on reddit, it seems many people are having this issue whilst their devices worked fine on CarPlay with the 16 etc.

Ive personally tried using a beats CarPlay usb A to usb C cable, but also the Apple official USB C cable with a high speed usb a to usb c adapter, and both have the same behaviours. Worked fine with iPhone 16 but iPhone 17, disconnects.

I’ve tried rebooting the iPhone, deleting the CarPlay history, deleting the cars CarPlay history and all to no avail. Looks like it’s working and then boom, disconnect.

it’s acting like the USB port is too low powered for the data connecting of the iPhone 17 but that doesn’t sound right as clearly it works for a lot of people. Someone on X mentioned it might be due to the phone messing with the new wireless chip when connecting to CarPlay.

either way, it’s annoying and just doesn’t work for me. And no idea how to solve at this point seeing as it can’t be the cable and it doesn’t sound like the cars USB port is the issue either - given lots of users having issues sounds like it could be an ios26 issue?

thanks!

p.s I’m seeing reports of identical behaviour with wireless CarPlay interestingly though in my case I can’t test wireless CarPlay.

iPhone 17 Pro

Posted on Sep 21, 2025 1:06 AM

Top-ranking reply

Hullwax

Level 1

24 points

Posted on Nov 6, 2025 4:51 AM

Updated to 26.1 and still keeps disconnecting.

Problem is my Pioneer head unit not the iOS.

I got an £20 dongle of Amazon and it’s worked great since, not one single disconnection.

Even though my Pionner is wireless CarPlay. The dongle is sold as turning wired only car play units into wireless units. This bypasses the issue with the Pioneers Bluetooth and uses the better bluetooth in the dongle. Issue solved!

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58 replies

TheLittles

Level 10

202,805 points

Sep 21, 2025 1:12 AM in response to Joshua Sugarman

"iPhone 17 CarPlay Disconnects and won’t work: [...]it’s acting like the USB port is too low powered for the data connecting of the iPhone 17 but that doesn’t sound right as clearly it works for a lot of people. Someone on X mentioned it might be due to the phone messing with the new wireless chip when connecting to CarPlay.[...]"

-------

CarPlay is the Issue here:

For reference...

Troubleshooting CarPlay:

A. Don't Use a Charing Cable:

There's charging cables, and then there's cable just for data transfer. So, try a different cable; one that is not intended for data transfer. Charging cable amplify the voltage.

B. Driver's Manual:

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

C. Try being in Park:

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

D. Some Links:

E. If you need help with CarPlay - Apple Support

Sep 21, 2025 1:56 AM in response to TheLittles

Appreciate the response. I think I’ve addressed all of your potential solutions there. To clarify specifically, CarPlay is working fine with the iPhone 16, using the right cables (aware it’s common for people using the wrong ones…), syncing correctly and it’s purely the 17 device with ios26 which has problems.

And the above seems to be becoming widely reported quickly looking at X and Reddit.

Sep 23, 2025 5:58 PM in response to Joshua Sugarman

I didn’t have problems with our wireless CarPlay but I am having issues and dropped calls with my wired CarPlay in my SUV. I am

beyond frustrated as I take a lot of work calls on the road. Will this be fixed soon? I had no issues with my 14 pro max!

Oct 6, 2025 9:38 PM in response to iHobbit85

Ditto. Updated to iOS 26.0.1 and CarPlay connection/disconnection/connection/disconnection continues. This NEVER happened with iPhones 14 and 15 on latest pre-iOS 26 updates.

CarPlay is now useless - a really big issue with safety and traffic laws these days. How could something that worked so well for years become so dysfunctional with what is supposed to be an upgrade? Surely this would have become apparent in product testing. So why was it released?

Oct 9, 2025 8:20 PM in response to Joshua Sugarman

My 17 pro won’t connect to CarPlay at all. I have adaptors for the usb-c to usb, lightening to isb-c, all of which work for charging, but will not connect. I too have deleted and repaired the phone multiple times. I can get audio from my phone through the car (Podcasts) so I know the Bluetooth is working. But this CarPlay issue is a true pain! I use my gps every day and I cannot get it on my screen without CarPlay.

timadams

Level 1

73 points

Oct 10, 2025 1:00 PM in response to adolan829

I think you will find that CarPlay is using WiFi not Bluetooth. The audio is likely using Bluetooth however. My problem is that CarPlay totally loses the iPhone and I have to connect it again. Typically within a few minutes of starting a Podcast with the Map being shown.

Oct 27, 2025 5:00 AM in response to sean_flanagan

I have a Hyundai 2020 kona and have same problem with CPlay2air. since I upgraded to iPhone 17 pro max it disconnects at random moments somtimmes 3 minutes sometime 15 minutes but it quits on me, even with 26.0.1

timadams

Level 1

73 points

Nov 6, 2025 4:12 AM in response to ReubenHGDB52

I've also downloaded iOS 26.1 but my results were slightly different. Yesterday Nov. 5th CarPlay disconnected again, moments after I started playing a podcast. It did however continue the rest of the day when I was using it. Hopefully the one time was a glitch and everything will continue working as I have a long road trip planned for next month and plans for listing to a couple of books along the way.

[Edited by Moderator]

Nov 10, 2025 7:01 AM in response to Joshua Sugarman

Everything was fine until I got my iPhone 17pro.

No disconnections with iPhone x, 12, 13... but the 17 pro had to be unique ah?!!!

here it is: iPhone 17 pro, Chevrolet spark (if this changes anything) -> TONS OF DISCONNECTIONS!!

please tell me that Apple is going to address this?! I spent too much money on this iPhone to get a poorly device.

BOAVIDA

Level 1

42 points

Nov 10, 2025 8:02 AM in response to MikeDR07

i have bought proper cable to go with iphone 17, down loaded last IOS update, but it is awfull, the telephone disconnect from car aple play and the car screen gets dark. I want a solution from Apple Support.

previous iphone model 15 worked just fine.