Spotify and Google Maps are blank on Apple CarPlay

Hi there roseann235,

If you are having issues using CarPlay with your iPhone, these steps from If you need help with CarPlay can resolve what's happening:

1. Check your connection to your CarPlay stereo:

• If you have a wired connection, try connecting again with a different USB cable to a different USB port if you have one.

• If you have a wireless connection, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on your iPhone under Settings > Bluetooth. Then go to Settings > Wi-Fi, and make sure that Wi-Fi is also turned on. Tap the CarPlay network, and check that Auto-Join is turned on.

2. If CarPlay doesn't activate automatically, look for the CarPlay logo on your car's display and select it.

3. Restart your iPhone and your car. 

4. Make sure that Siri is on.

5. If your iPhone isn't detected by CarPlay, make sure that CarPlay isn't restricted. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If Content & Privacy Restrictions is on, tap Allowed Apps, and make sure that CarPlay is enabled.

6. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your car, then tap Forget This Car. Then set up CarPlay again.

7. Make sure that your CarPlay stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.

We hope that helps!

Hey roseann235,

As the issue is limited to specific apps, we'd recommend reaching out to the app developers for further information and assistance.

You can find help contacting app developers here: How to contact an app developer - Apple Support

Thanks!

Hi roseann235,

I see there has been no further development on this topic for a month. I was looking, again, for any progress, though it seems Apple and other developers are not interested.

I have some info that may ease the pain for others that are experiencing this issue: I’ve been experiencing the same issue since updating to iOS 16 last year. The ‘work around’ I’ve had to do every time this happens is; once connected to Car Play (mine is USB), unlock the iPhone and bring up Google Maps, or other affected app, so the iPhone has the app in the foreground. If you already have the app open on Car Play you should see it come to life and begin working on your in-car display.

I can then lock my iPhone and Car Play will work as expected; switch between apps, close and re-open Google Maps etc. It seems iOS 16 won’t let Car Play access any 3rd party apps in the ‘background’ after the iPhone is locked.

This routine repeats EVERY time I unplug / replug the iPhone in the car. Very frustrating.

On iOS 15 this issue was also present until you changed the settings in the iPhone: ‘Background App Refresh’ - Google maps turned on, and ‘Allow Notifications - Lock Screen’, and of course ‘Privacy & Security - Location Services - Google Maps set to Always’. These were all necessary to allow Car Play to extend these apps onto the in-car display. However it did work properly once you changed these settings, unlike iOS 16.