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

iPhone 17 Pro and OttoCast wireless CarPlay adapter U2-air. Frequently disconnects and reconnects. Have updated iOS to 26.0.1 with no change and also the ottocast firmware with no change.

i have noticed that it seems to stay connected while stationary though and only disconnects once I start driving. I need to do more tests to confirm this though.

logged a support call with apple and after running through all the initial steps such as resetting the network nothing worked so it has been escalated.

also logged a support request with ottocast.

no idea what the underlying issue or fix is so just sharing my experience and thoughts. Seems something is incompatible after software and/or hardware update that is only affecting certain other devices. I’ve had no issues with wifi in general and AirPods Pro have been fine since the 26.0.1 update. They disconnect a few times before that on 26.

But, sadly, it does have issues!

Wired CarPlay on my 2020 Mazda Factory unit seems to be mostly OK with few random crashes.

Wired CarPlay with my aftermarket headunit in my other car is crashing constantly, although it sort of seems like it crashes quickly the first time, but then seems to last random periods on subsequent crashes.

In all cases I have to unplug and re-plug the USB cable to get it to work again.

Built in Wireless Carplay on that aftermarket head unit is even worse.

Wireless CarPlay on the Mazda with a CarLinkIt dongle is also bad.

Previous phones (14 Pro and 15 Pro Max didn't have these issues). I should get my Son (who inherited the 15 PM which is updated to iOS 26.x) to connect his phone next time we are in the car to see if it works as well as it used to or if iOS 26 is a factor.

Same thing here. I was using my 14 Pro last week on iOS 17 last week with no issues, but when I started using the 17 Pro, even with the same CarPlay in the same car, it will disconnect, and a minute or two later, it'll reconnect. It was on iOS 26 for the 17 Pro and I got it on iOS 26.0.1, and then this morning, same thing again, went off, then a min or two, its back on, when it originally first connected this morning, the reception was bars were grey but I was still able to use data, but not much calling. I assumed even being told and reading the update that it'll fix the problem, nothing changed. I have no problem with my AirPods 3rd Gen BlueTooth, but not CarPlay. The OS is still basically fresh out of the box, so no VPN, like if you just went to Apple, bought a new phone, and set up the phone there, chucked your sim onto the new one, some photos/videos and apps

A bug has been found by someone on the macrumors form. While there’s workarounds, it’s up to an update to fix it.

All you need to do is DELETE previous iPhone and PAIR new one with taping CODE displayed on your car device to your Bluetooth at Phone. Easy!

having same wifi issues on my 17 pro max, wifi dropping randomly and repeatedly witn no service at all while my 16 pro max working flawlessly. This is on a high end mesh router with gigabyte fiber service. Something is off

Wifi at home works fine and CarPlay obviously not.

After change iPhone 16 pro max to 17 pro max my wireless CarPlay with Mercedes S-class W222 2020 year is broken. 

It connecting but after 1-3 min disconnects and wan’t connect again unless I restart a car or switch iPhone to plane mode including Bluetooth. 

I have update the firmware in wireless kit to latest and made reset of network settings in iPhone. 

No luck.

As far as I know you changed supplier of WiFi and Bluetooth to in-house production so believe it something not working here. 

any suggestions / fix ?

Same issue here, thinking about returning it (iPhone Air) tried to troubleshoot for hours with apple over the chat then phone. Could not solve. Both WiFi and Bluetooth turn off for a few seconds after unlocking. Impossible for CarPlay or AirPlay usage.

17 pro not working on my 2025 Subaru Forrester wilderness with wired CarPlay. Worked fine with my previous iPhone 13 Pro. Friend plugged her older iPhone in and it worked just fine. Definitely an issue with 17 pro.

Same here, iPhone air, both AirPlay and CarPlay unusable as both Bluetooth and WiFi are randomly turned off and back on. Easily replicable by just waking the screen / locking / waking the screen. Apple Watch not a factor for me.

I’m having the same exact issue. My iPhone 15 pro worked flawlessly with CarPlay as soon as I switch to iPhone 17 pro, it disconnects after 3-4 minutes. I did almost all the troubleshooting I could think of. I think it’s a device defect on some iPhone 17 pro’s. This is the first batch after all.

I’m using high quality cables too and my cars firmware is up to date. Works with all my phones other than the 17 pro max.

VPN fix doesn’t work for everyone. In fact, a bug has been found in the N1 chip which is causing all of this. See the Reddit post that has discussed all of this. I’d link to it but I don’t know if it’s allowed.

I’m starting to think it’s an issue with car play crashing. When I’m driving with just music playing it doesn’t seem to disconnect at all had this several times yesterday then today I drove for about 40 minutes just on the main screen music playing and the map just showing where I am not navigating anywhere then I tested by setting the nav to where I was going and within a minute it disconnected I then reconnected left the nav off and was fine for the next 20 minutes till I parked up

I’m having CarPlay freeze issues with a USB-C wired connection, so it’s not just a wireless carplay issue. iphone 17 Pro Max, IOS 26, 2019 Cadillac CT6, wired USB-C connection. CarPlay contually freezes and disconnects every 1-10 minutes. I did not have these issues with my iPhone 15 Pro Max running IOS 26.

I have both the wifi and carplay issues.

My 17 pro is setup with the same settings as my 13 pro.

• yes I use a VPN (tailscale) to connect to home from where ever I am
• Wifi speed is (most of the time) half of my 13 pro reaches, when running a speed test simultaneously
• wireless carplay stops after 2~5 minutes
• wired carplay does seem to work
• I have a 5th gen Apple Watch