Wired CarPlay won't connect iPhone 17 Pro Max after iOS 26 update

Chevy Colorado 2019, same issue. (almost)

My "old" 16 Pro Max still conencts,... and works as it should. Using the same iOS 26.0 / 26.01. 16 Pro Max works, 17 not connecting at all.

iPhone 17 Pro Max, refuse to connect data, only charge.

No VPN

Network settings reset

Car infotainment box reset

Hard resets of device

Different cables

Removed Carplay connection profile from vehicle

nothing seems to work.

The Chevrolet infotainment system cannot be updated, but this should not be neccessary since 16 Pro Max (and 14 and 13) works perfectly fine. Since Apple has not said anything about wired CarPlay being restricted on 17 Pro Max, I am confident a fix will be made... just hope it happens soon - I need it for navigation and messages whilst on the road.

The only thing I did noticed, was that buy default the new 17 Pro Max had "Ask for New" under Wired Accessories the first time I tried connecting it. iPhone 16 Pro Max had "Always" -

In the Car infotainment settings I did see the device show briefly less than half a second. After that - no signs of it. Of course I changed the settings to "Always Allow" and of course I try connect with phone unlocked. and yes, I have forced rebooted a few times.

Yes - I have also tried to factory reset the phone - did not help

I might have to return this iPhone to Apple if not resolvable.

Called support - they did the same as me, googled and saw what other users suggested. So either support also don't know, or - they don't want to deal with it.

Seeing how many reports of this same issue on the internet is troublesome.

This is absolutely correct, some cables USB to USB-C won’t transfer the data but will still charge the phone.

Just bought got my new 17pro and couldn’t connect to CarPlay, tried 6 cables and found that only one worked perfectly and connected straight away.

it was 100% a cable issue for me

I went thru a lot as well. Eventually it came down to having to use the USB. My Nissan has multiple USB ports. I purchased some USB to C adapters on Amazon. If you add CarPlay to your search, particular ones say works well with CarPlay. I think the ones I got were sold by Basesailor. The Apple cable that comes with the phone works on that & I also use braided Belkin C. Though I have multiple USB’s in my car, carplay only works on the main one under my dash. I did the remove the phone & forget this car but that didn’t work at all. I also updated CarPlay on my phone info & updated the Nissan CarPlay. Seems to work fine now but only on the main USB

Bought new cable and problem solved. Purchased at att store

Wired USB connection with Apple cables stopped working in BOTH of my cars. Literally updated to iOS 26 yesterday, and this happened to me today. Worked for a few minutes in each car, the. the device was no longer supported/connected in both cars. I car pair to CarPlay through BT successfully but audio quality becomes sacrificed. Just annoying that this is an issue after it was working in both cars for a little time.

Confirmed we have the same issue with our new 17 Pro in a 2016 MB GLE via wired CarPlay. Freezes and disconnects randomly when doing nothing, not touching it, as well as on calls and navigating. Charging continues even after CarPlay fails.

Also confirmed this is not an issue at all with our 16 Pro as well as 14 Pro which stay connected for hours. Also tested on multiple USB-A to C cables designed for data and CarPlay.

Unplugging and plugging it back in immediately reconnects, only to drop off again within a few minutes. Very frustrating and somewhat dangerous while driving. Any fixes would be appreciated!

mophie USB-A to USB-C Charge Cable (1m) – Black - Apple

This one worked for me

I am having the same exact issue. My iPhone 13 Pro Max worked with a tethered cord the day before I got my new iPhone 17 Pro Max. It is something to do with either the new operating system or the USB A-C cord not working with older cars’ CarPlay. I have a Range Rover sport 2021. Not working anymore and extremely inconvenient to not have CarPlay. Someone else mentioned that most USB A to C cords are charge only. I will try finding one that carries data and see if that works.

I am having similar issues here. No fix. 2019 Ford F-150. Phone will connect with a USB cable and then disconnect randomly every couple minutes.

Same problem in my wife's car as well.

Reset phone, no update for Ford head unit, and multiple cords tried.

Hoping Apple gets a fix out asap for this

I have a 2021 Jeep as well and experiencing the exact same issue with no resolution. Apple is telling me the diagnostics they ran indicate my Jeep is the issue not the iPhone and they want me to contact the dealer/Jeep/Uconnect to see if their firmware supports the new iPhone.

Same problem, 2 cars, 2016 GMC Yukon and 2020 Wrangler, neither has wireless CarPlay but both worked fine with my 15, got the 17 Pro and will connect, then freeze and disconnect. By kid's 15's work just fine still in the cars. Tried new cables, using different ports, restarting and rebooting, nothing is working. I'm in the car a ton and use for directions plus work calls while driving. If I knew this was an issue I would have never "upgraded" the phone. If anyone has any other solutions, I'd love to hear them.

The cable that comes with your iPhone works great for CarPlay. It’s a C to C cord so if you don’t have a USB-C in your vehicle it won’t work. I purchased a USB-A to C adaptor which are fairly cheap on Amazon because I wanted the C to C connection. It have 2 USB-A to C cords that will work but using the C to C is supposed to be faster. The Apple C that comes with your phone isn’t just for charging. It works if it’s plugged into a C port.

At me to this list. Going from an iPhone 11 Pro to a 17 Pro was a nice jump. Faster and all around nicer except for the dang CarPlay issue. Bought new cables too, waste of money. Today I contacted my carrier and moved back to my 11 Pro. I could use wireless CarPlay in at least one vehicle if I wanted, but besides being a touch bit slower with the interface I have Starlink installed on my vehicle. And the WHOLE point is to use wired CarPlay so the phone can be on Starlink for data while my vehicle display is showing maps, navigating and driving to some tunes. Since Carplay uses WiFi this is a no-go and I know so from trying to figure out a setup with my old 11 pro that would work wirelessly. So I really need wired CarPlay to work like it did with my 11, which was great. Very disappointed that after this much time Apple has not addressed an issues that so many are having. And a search shows this is not a CarPlay issue but a USB issue affecting all sorts of hardware out there. Video creators are dumping their 17s.

Network reset?

I have the same issue with my 17 Pro max on iOS 26. The ford sync doesn’t connect properly. The display in the car shows CarPlay but I can’t open to get to CarPlay. My wife’s phone on iOS 18 works fine on the same unit.