Apple CarPlay is a system that allows you to control your iPhone while driving. It lets you use certain apps on your iPhone while keeping your eyes on the road. CarPlay can be used with Siri, Maps, Music, Messages, and more.
So why would your Apple CarPlay not be working?
If your Apple CarPlay isn’t working, restarting your iPhone and the infotainment system, trying a new USB cable , and making sure that Siri and CarPlay are enabled could most likely get CarPlay to fully function again.
However, if you are still having issues, you may need to take your car to the dealership or an authorized repair shop.
Before you do that, let’s do a complete diagnoses of possible solutions.
Things to Consider
Apple Carplay can really improve your overall driving experience by providing a safer way to use your phone while driving. So if it doesn’t work, it can be a real pain in the neck. There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot Apple Carplay if it isn’t working properly.
First, make sure that your phone is compatible with Apple Carplay. Not all phones are compatible with Carplay, so if yours isn’t then it unfortunately won’t work.
If your phone is compatible with Carplay, the next thing to check is the lightning cable that you’re using to connect your phone to the head unit in your car. Make sure that the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends and that there are no breaks or kinks in the cable.
If you’re still having trouble, you can try restarting both your phone and the head unit in your car. Sometimes this can fix any issues that may have arisen.
Finally, if none of these troubleshooting steps work, you may need to take your car to a dealership or mechanic to have them take a look at it.
How to Get Apple Car Play Working Again
Enable CarPlay While iPhone is Locked
When CarPlay is not allowed while your iPhone is locked, the following will happen:
Your iPhone screen will go black and all audio will stop. You will not be able to use your iPhone for any other purpose until you unlock it. So, for obvious reasons you will want to enable or allow CarPlay while your iPhone is locked.
iOS devices have the ability to use CarPlay while the device is locked. To enable this feature, open the Settings app and select General. Scroll down and tap CarPlay. Toggle the Allow CarPlay on When Locked switch to On.
Enable Siri
Siri is an important feature of CarPlay because it allows drivers to stay connected with their devices and applications while on the road. With Siri, drivers can make hands-free calls, send and receive messages, get directions, and more.
How to enable Siri:
There are many ways to enable Siri. One way is to go to the Settings app and select “Siri & Search.” From there, you can enable or disable Siri. Another way to enable Siri is to hold down the Home button on your iOS device. If Siri is enabled, you’ll hear a beep and see the Siri interface. You can also say “Hey Siri” to enable Siri hands-free.
Faulty USB Port or USB Cable
There are a few reasons why iPhone USB cables stop working. One reason is that the cable might have been damaged. Another reason is that the port on the iPhone might be damaged.
Finally, the most common reason is that there is dirt or lint in the port, which can prevent the cable from making a good connection.
This can ultimately be the reason your Apple CarPlay seems not to be working. It could simply be a faulty USB cable or USB port. Be sure to not only swap out the cable for a new one, but try a new USB port (hopefully your vehicle has more than one USB port).
Restart Your iPhone
CarPlay is a feature in iOS that allows you to control your iPhone while driving. If you have an iPhone with CarPlay and you’re having trouble using it, restarting your iPhone may help.
There are a few things that can cause CarPlay to not work properly. One is if you have an older version of iOS. Another is if you have an app open on your iPhone that is incompatible with CarPlay. And finally, if your iPhone isn’t connected to your car properly, CarPlay won’t work.
If you’re having trouble with CarPlay, restarting your iPhone is a good first step to try.
To do this, press and hold the power button on your iPhone until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears. Then, slide the slider to the right to power off your iPhone. Once your iPhone is off, press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. This will turn your iPhone back on and hopefully fix any issues with CarPlay.
Update iOS
There are a few ways that updating iOS could potentially fix any issues with Apple Carplay not working. One way is that there could be an update for Carplay itself, which would be downloaded and installed along with the iOS update.
Another possibility is that there are new features or bug fixes in the iOS update that could indirectly improve Carplay’s functioning.
Finally, it’s also possible that simply having the latest version of iOS could be necessary for Carplay to work properly, and so updating would be the most direct way to solve the problem.
Of course, it’s also possible that updating iOS will not fix the issue with Apple Carplay. In this case, it may be necessary to troubleshoot further or consult with Apple support.
How to update your iPhone to the latest iOS:
1. Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to a power source.
3. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
4. Tap on General.
5. Tap on Software Update.
6. If there is an update available, tap on the Download and Install button.
7. Enter your passcode if prompted.
8. Tap on Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
9. The update will download and install automatically.
Keep in mind you may need to restart your iPhone to ensure the update finalized properly.
Disable USB Restricted Mode
When using Apple CarPlay, it is a good idea to turn off USB restricted mode. This is because CarPlay relies on certain USB functions that are disabled when USB restricted mode is turned on.
These functions include media playback and access to the phone’s contacts, calendar, and messages. By disabling USB restricted mode, you can ensure that these features will work correctly with CarPlay.
USB Restricted Mode is a new security feature in iOS 11.4 that puts your iPhone’s Lightning port into a locked state if the device hasn’t been unlocked for more than an hour. This makes it harder (but not impossible) for someone to physically break into your iPhone to access its data.
Unfortunately, this can also interfere with Apple CarPlay to function properly, so you will want to disable USB restricted mode while trying to use CarPlay.
To do so, go to Settings -> Face ID (or Touch ID) & Passcode and scroll down to the bottom of the page. There, you’ll see a toggle switch for USB Accessories. Flip this switch to the “ON”.
Restart Your Car’s Infotainment System
One potential reason for Apple CarPlay not working could be that there is a problem with the car’s infotainment system. The infotainment system is responsible for integrating all of the car’s electronics, including the audio, navigation, climate control, and other systems.
If there is a problem with the infotainment system, it could affect Apple CarPlay’s ability to function correctly. Some potential causes of a problem with the infotainment system could include a faulty software update, a hardware failure, or interference from another electronic device.
How to restart the infotainment system:
When a car’s infotainment system needs to be restarted, there are a few methods that can be used. The most common method is to hold down the power button for a few seconds until the system powers off. Once it is off, wait a few seconds and then turn the system back on. Another method that can be used is to disconnect and reconnect the battery. This will cause the infotainment system to reboot.
Update Your Car’s Infotainment System
Updating a car’s infotainment system software can sometimes get Apple CarPlay to work again. This is because the software update may fix any bugs that were causing CarPlay to not work properly. If you’re having trouble with CarPlay, make sure to check for any updates for your car’s infotainment system and install them if available.
This is a case by case solution, so these suggestions may not work with your vehicle, however; here is a general way on how to update your car’s infotainment system:
There are a few different ways to update a car’s infotainment system software. One way is to connect the car to a computer and use special software to update the infotainment system. Another way is to download updates from the manufacturer’s website and install them onto a USB drive, which can then be connected to the infotainment system.
Finally, some cars have the ability to update their infotainment systems wirelessly, using either a cellular connection or a Wi-Fi connection.
Reset CarPlay
When the Apple CarPlay system isn’t working, resetting it and reconnecting may be the solution.
To reset, hold down the sleep/wake button and the home button together until you see the Apple logo. To reconnect, follow the instructions in your car’s owner’s manual. Make sure your iPhone is connected to the car’s USB port, and open the CarPlay app.
“Forget My Device” on Bluetooth CarPlay
Forgetting to connect your Apple Carplay bluetooth and then reconnecting it can get it to work again. The first thing you need to do is make sure that your car has the latest software update.
Once you have done that, open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General > Carplay. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on and then tap Connect. If Carplay is off, turn it on and your iPhone will start automatically looking for a car that supports it.
Most Popular Reasons CarPlay Doesn’t Work
One possible reason for Apple CarPlay not working is that the iPhone is not connected to the car correctly.
For example, the lightning cable might not be plugged in all the way or the USB port might be damaged.
Another possibility is that there is a software issue with CarPlay. For example, the latest iOS update might have caused problems with the CarPlay system.
Conclusion
There are a few different ways to get CarPlay working again if it stops working correctly. One way is to simply restart your iPhone. If that doesn’t work, you can try resetting your iPhone’s network settings.
Another way to try and fix CarPlay is to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
Finally, if none of those methods work, you can try contacting Apple support for further assistance.
