Is Apple CarPlay not working after iOS 18 update?
Some users have reported that CarPlay stopped working after installing iOS 18 update on their iPhone. Other users have stated that their iPhone is not detected by CarPlay. Others have said that CarPlay freezes and they sometimes see a black screen. And finally, other iOS 18 users are having CarPlay sound problem.
It’s quite easy to use CarPlay. Once connected, your iOS apps will appear on your car display. Then, for instance, you can send or receive messages, stream your music live to your car stereo, get directions or make or receive phone calls; hands-free so that you can concentrate on the road more.
If CarPlay stopped working after iOS 18 update, please see the fixes below. After each step, try using CarPlay to see if your problem is fixed.
Before we dive in, let’s look at the CarPlay requirements:
To use the CarPlay app, you need an Apple CarPlay compatible iPhone, car or stereo.
Check if your car or receiver is compatible with Apple CarPlay
An increasing number of makes and models are compatible. The numbers are changing rapidly. There are currently over 800 CarPlay compatible car models. You can see the full list of CarPlay compatible car models on the Apple website.
These aftermarket receivers are also compatible:
- Kenwood
- Sony
- Alpine
- Clarion
- JVC
- Pioneer
- Blaupunkt
Check if your iPhone is compatible
The following iPhone models support CarPlay:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE 2022
- iPhone SE 2020
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone Xs Max
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
Other iPhone models are not compatible.
Check if CarPlay is available in your country or region
CarPlay is not supported everywhere. Check Apple’s website to see countries and regions that CarPlay is currently available.
Check if Siri is turned on
If you’re trying to control Apple CarPlay using your voice and it isn’t responding, this might be because your Siri voice assistant is disabled on your iOS 18 device.
On your iOS 18 device: Head over to Settings > Siri. Ensure that these options are enabled:
- Listen for, “Siri” or “Hey Siri”.
- Press Home for Siri or Press Side Button for Siri.
- Allow Siri When Locked.
Check if CarPlay is allowed while locked
On your iOS 18 device: head over to Settings > General > CarPlay > Your Car > and turn on “Allow CarPlay While Locked”.
Moreover, ensure that CarPlay is not restricted. On your iOS 18 device: head over to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and make sure that CarPlay is enabled.
Check if your iPhone and your car’s infotainment system are turned on
Well, it is obvious. But it’s good to check.
Moreover, make sure that if your car has a “activate” option, ensure that that option is selected.
If you are unable to connect
If you are having problem connecting iPhone to CarPlay after iOS 18 update. There are two ways to connect iPhone to CarPlay, depending on your car:
- Simply plug in your iPhone using a USB cable. If you are having issues:
- If you are using a third-party USB cable, ensure that it’s Apple certified
- Try connecting to a different USB port.
- Try using a different USB cable.
- Check to ensure that the USB cable is plugged in properly.
- Check to ensure that both the charging port and the USB port are clean and there are no damages.
.
<li>If your car supports wireless connection, connect iPhone to CarPlay Bluetooth.</li>
- Turn on Airplane Mode on your iPhone, wait for about ten seconds and turn it back off. Head over to
- Restart your iPhone.
- If you’re using Apple CarPlay wirelessly, ensure your Bluetooth is enabled. You can find your Bluetooth settings by heading to Settings > Bluetooth. Here, you can activate Bluetooth using the toggle. (Check out this article if you cannot turn on Bluetooth).
- Restart your car’s infotainment system. To do this: press and hold the volume or power knob.
Settings > Airplane Mode).
See also: iPhone Not Connecting To a Car Radio Using Bluetooth: Fix
Update all your devices
iPhone not detecting CarPlay in iOS 18? Try updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 18 as this can fix any bugs or additional problems currently affecting your device’s performance. So, if you’re having problems with Apple CarPlay, make sure you’re using the latest version of iOS 18. You can
update your iPhone over the air. Simply follow these steps:
- Ensure that your iPhone is connected to the Internet.
- Then head over to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
- And follow the onscreen prompts.
If you are using an aftermarket receiver, please visit the manufacturer’s website to find out if a firmware update is available and if there is, learn how you can update.
Restart all your devices
Restart your car’s infotainment system, car and your iPhone. A restart. Sometimes, simply turning your device on and off again can fix the issue you’re experiencing with your Apple CarPlay, so give this a try before opting for the other fixes listed here. Simply follow these steps to restart your iPhone:
- To restart iPhone XR or newer: Press and hold down the Side and volume up (or down) buttons together until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn it off. Then turn it back on by pressing and holding the power button until you see the apple logo.
- To restart other iPhone models: Press and hold the Power button until you see the power off slider. Drag the slider. Then turn it back on by pressing and holding the Power button until you see the Apple logo.
Moreover, you can restart your car’s infotainment system. This is done differently depending on cars and models. For instance, some receivers requires you to press and hold down the audio system power knob for about ten seconds. Note, this might be different for your car. I recommend that you check your car’s manual.
Forget and set up
If you are still experiencing problem connecting iOS 18 device to CarPlay, try to re-setup. Simply follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, head over to Settings > General > CarPlay > your car > Forget This Car.
Now try to set up again. Follow these steps:
Depending on your car:
- Simply connect iPhone to car radio via USB cable.
- If your car supports wireless CarPlay, head over to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap Available cars, and then select your car to connect iPhone to CarPlay.
Reset All iPhone Settings to Fix CarPlay Not Working on iOS 18
At this point, try restoring all your iPhone settings to their defaults. It’ll resolve your CarPlay issue if it’s caused by a random bug mismatching the settings during the iOS 18 update. You just need to reconnect your phone to your car after this fix.
While resetting all settings doesn’t remove data or media on your phone, it will eliminate any customized phone settings. Consider that before performing this fix.
Here’s how to reset your iPhone settings:
- First, open the Settings app on your phone, then tap General.
- Next, select the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
- Tap Reset and then hit Reset All Settings.
- Type your passcode to confirm your choice.
After that, your iPhone will automatically reboot. Reconnect it to your car.
Since it’s a hard reset, your iPhone will work like it’s brand new. Your CarPlay will likely function properly and make your driving experience great again.
That wraps up this guide. Let us know which method has worked for you. And if you experience more issues after updating your iPhone to iOS 18, feel free to leave a comment below. We’ll try to address those issues in our next posts.
If this guide helped you, please share it.
Like many others i-phone 11 Pro does not connect to CarPlay after IOS 13 NO matter what. All other I-phones connect immediately. Tried 5, 6, 8 and 10 . All work I-phone 11 pro makes a beep as it tries to connect but does not. No matter what you do including having Apple change phones.
Sorry, that’s just incorrect. I’ve been using my iPhone X with iOS 14 beta and it’s been working perfectly. However, I just connected my new iPhone 12 with iOS 14.2 and I get a blank screen.
Then you have a magical one because o very it updated I have had nothing but issues with it. And I have an X. Started with Amazon music not working unless conntected through Bluetooth now it won’t do anything but charge. Even bright my car to a dealer who got multiple 11’s to connect with no issues. Brought my phone in for an exchange and and still not working.
I did “Restart all your devices”. Infotainment system, Car, Used apple genuine cable, done forget device, add device, enable lock phone access, enabled screen time app BUT it did not work in 14.3.
Then i too my iPhone restart and magic happens, it worked..
I got the feeling of Windows in iPhone. Didn’t expect from Apple.
I have an 11 Pro Max and I have never been able to get CarPlay to operate correctly. It’s so frustrating. If I can get it to connect then it doesn’t last more than a couple minutes before it starts cycling through connecting/disconnecting over and over. Maddening!
This is been happening to me over and over again. It was working and in the middle of a drive it would drop my phone, act like it couldn’t connect. It was working when I would turn off the car and restart it and plug it off and plug it in. Now I just doesn’t wanna work at all. I drive for work in this Hass to work. Any suggestions would be great
I am having issue where in the middle of a call the screen freezes and I have to unplug it and start CarPlay over. The other issue is sometimes call sounds are distorted and I have to call back so frustrating because I bought my car stereo just for CarPlay Sony Ax-1000
I have the same problem in a 2018 Nissan Murano. Try a shorter cable (3 feet MFi certified cable), This improved connectivity a little (the disconnect happens less frequently now). FYI my disconnect happens with both iPhone 6S+ and IPhone 12 Pro Max. Updated to the latest iOS 14.3 still has the disconnection problem plus the menu freezes now (can’t use the CarPlay on screen menu). I share your frustration!
I reset everything and reacvomished set up. iPhone 12 pro & Mazda CX-5 2018 CarPlay.
After iOS 14.2. My master control knob no longer selects controls on the CarPlay screen. Instead it wakes my phone – tkk ok use to stop/play music for example. Defeats the purpose of hands free!!! Can I remove the 14.2 iOS update from phone???
I have a 2019 Honda CR-V EX, car play was working perfectly fine until my phone updated to iOS 14.2. First, I thought my cable is frayed, so I used a new one (original Apple cable) but stil didn’t work. I took my car to dealership to have it check, the service rep tried her android phone and it instantly worked after we add her phone in my CarPlay to try. It saved me $185 to run car diagnostic, however, my Apple play still isn’t working. Looks like iOS 14.2 is not supported by CarPlay. It’s a bummer coz I use it a lot. If anyone found a solution, please share it.
2021 Honda CRV. Had same issues after iOS 14.4 update. Push and hold the radio knob and you will get a message on the screen asking if you want to reboot, hit yes. After a few minutes the system came back on and Apple play was then displayed and phone connected.
I’ve been having an issue with CarPlay. It will not work no matter what I do. I have done everything from the above plus many other things found on other websites. I took my 2019 vw Jetta to the dealership and they couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t work. They replaced the radio. After two days of having my car, they told me they did everything they could and told me that it was an Apple issue but my phone works in other cars and their CarPlay. Anyone have any tricks above the solutions that are on each site?
I have the same problem with my new 2021 Audi Q5. I have an iPhone XR and keeps cycling and disconnecting. I’ve updated my phone and it’s currently at the dealership but they can’t recreate the issue and it never happens when I’m actually at the dealership. I didn’t get navigation since I was told CarPlay would work….
2020 Kia Niro randomly getting “Phone is not responding please reconnect” this can be straight away and repeated or after 6 mins then ok for 4 mins totally random.
Phone worked perfectly connected via cable in a 2017 Zafira.
I no longer have the option to connect via cable only wirelessly.
Message on infotainment screen will not go without tapping button onscreen meaning have to look away from road to do so.
Maps , music and phone calls still work when message appears (screen goes back to car from map) but directions still voiced.
I have a Vauxhall Astra 2019 and iPhone 11. My CarPlay worked perfectly fine with my old car (2017 Corsa) but won’t work (won’t even charge) in my new car. I took it back to the dealership and was told it worked fine for them… I have the latest beta update (iOS14.6) and I’m wondering if maybe the beta is causing this..