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

Agree, I can’t get wired car play to work. It’s been almost 2 months now of constant dropped connection. Very frustrating for something that should just work. No actionable help from Apple. It’s a major issue, should be in the news. If it was an easy fix it should have been done by now.

I have a iPhone 17 Pro Max with the same issues Wi-Fi dropping randomly from my iPhone 17 Pro Max connection, I don’t use CarPlay so I do not know anything about that and I do have the highest Internet coverage that Spectrum offers, 1 Gbps and Advanced WiFi. My iOS is 26.1

Is there going to be a fix for this? Is Apple going be sending out a correction or am I going to have to return my phone and go with another company?

I’m experiencing a recurring issue with my WiFi dropping and CarPlay not working. I’ve tried updating my Netgear Orbi mesh router, but the problem persists. I’m wondering if we should start a thread on X and Macrumors to see if this issue gains traction and Apple provides a resolution.

Same Here. completely unreliable with new iPhone Air base 256GB model. iOS 26.1

Chinese Adapter for Audi Q3 2016 Carplay

Works fine for 3 years with my iPhone 14 Pro Max

Never VPN, no Apple Watch, no AirPods, no nothing.

Just me, my iPhone, and the car.

Unreliably connects, disconnects randomly.

I was hoping this was a smaller issue but, I guess not. I rely on car play to get around too often for it to not work. Same as the rest it just randomly drops leaving me blind. Sometimes it comes back and sometimes it just kicks me out of car play completely, not recovering on is own. Generally while I’m driving and can’t do anything about it as well. This has only been a problem with my new 17 Pro Max as my old 14 Pro Max worked perfectly for navigation. I’m seriously considering returning the new phone at this point and reverting back to the old one instead of recycling it.

Same happening here with my new iphone 17. It either doesn't connect at all, or connects for a few minutes then drops out. I don't use a VPN, and never have, so that's not the issue. Apple needs to sort this out ASAP.

Hey everybody,

I haven’t found a fix yet. For me neither upgrades nor phone replacements worked on 4 different cars while the old backup iPhone 12 worked just fine. Apple is aware of the issues and working on a fix. I just got done running a 24 hrs test period with Apple support with multiple disconnects recorded on different CarPlay systems. Currently, the data are being analyzed. Next Thursday I’ll get the results and will hopefully be able to shine more light at the issue. I’ll keep you posted.

While this is helpful news for the CarPlay people, how about the fix from the random disconnect from the Wi-Fi from home and business.

With the fix for CarPlay will be same fix from the disconnects from Wi-Fi from your home and business as well?

Well I spoke too soon. 26.1 does nothing. Disconnects all the time. Horrible and it’s unclear what the path is now. Either Apple does not plan to fix it, it is unfixable, or the fix is planned but still not working.

Hi, I just received my new iPhone 17 ProMax, and I have these Apple CarPlay disconnections, even if I tried with different cables, I can`t have a stable connection. Before i had 14 ProMax with a lightning port, having no issue, and now with this type C is a nightmare. If this issue isn`t fixed soon, I will return the phone because it is not acceptable; we pay for some devices to be functional.

I just bought one of those plug in Bluetooth emulators to bypass for now. This really seems to be a long term trouble shoot going on. I just miss ability to charge and use Apple play at the same time.

Thanks, I also have a JoyAuto — I’ll reach out to their support team.

My last update was about two months ago, so I hope the one you mentioned is more recent.

I’m using a 17 PRO MAX 26.1 — what hardware are you using on your side?

It’s a wireless JoyeAuto for Porsche for the CDR radio (I don’t have a PCM so my options are limited) - but the wifi adapter is the same on almost all of their after market systems.

The update is dated November so it’s definitely more recent than yours. Don’t be distracted by their awful version numbering either. It may look like the same version but it isn’t. It’ll have November somewhere in the wireless firmware version.

EDIT: my iphone is a 17 Pro running 26.1

Also have a JoyeAuto system… When this first started happening they stated it was an apple issue. I just sent them another message today to see if they have an update! Fingers crossed and will update this thread if they have and it fixes the issue

This is the file directly from JoyeAuto (it's their Drive folder, not mine):

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZoCMw6iPd53m6-9TeM6rgzNNHU4A1Q54

*** USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, I am not responsible if you brick your system ***

** SCAN FOR VIRUSES ** (my scan turned up clean)

This is only for JoyeAuto aftermarket systems!