Level 1

41 points

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

I got an iPhone 17 Pro Max at release yesterday, and I absolutely love this phone. It’s easily the best iPhone I’ve ever had. But as soon as I got in my car to leave the Apple Store, and I plugged my phone into my 2017 Ford Explorer like I always have with every other iPhone I’ve had, and CarPlay didn’t connect. I go into my CarPlay settings, and it doesn’t even show my car anymore. My phone registers that I’m plugging it in to something, because it starts charging, but I guess it just doesn’t recognize that it’s a car. Bluetooth works just fine for taking calls over the speakers, but CarPlay in a 2017 Explorer requires a tethered connection, and that’s what’s not working. What’s strange, is my iPhone 16 Pro Max that I was using on the way to the Apple Store, also running iOS 26.0, was working just fine.

This morning, I tried connecting my mother’s iPhone 16 Pro Max to CarPlay, and it, too, no longer works. I’ve tried using a different cable, restarting both the phone and the car, and even resetting all mobile phone settings on the car infotainment system. Nothing is working. I’m assuming this is an issue with iOS 26, and not so much the car, as there was never any issue before, but I wouldn’t know anything about figuring that out. I do know, it’s extremely inconvenient not having CarPlay.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Wired CarPlay not working on iOS 26.0

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 8:07 AM

Top-ranking reply

pzrogers

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 6:59 PM

I was having the same problem on my Ford F-150 trying to connect CarPlay to my new iPhone 17 Pro running ios 26. I had tried three different USB A-C cables before I learned that many of those cables are charge-only and don't carry data. When I switched to a different cable, it immediately connected to CarPlay.

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52 replies

KaseyPD

Level 1

8 points

Oct 3, 2025 6:13 AM in response to Mastism

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-C cord not working with older cars’ CarPlay. I have a Range Rover sport 2020. Not working anymore and extremely inconvenient to not have my CarPlay.

Oct 21, 2025 4:03 PM in response to Elliot45

Unfortunately, this does not work for me. The Add Device is disabled - does not recognize there is anything connected. At one time it did show for a fraction of a second but that was all....

Different cords has also been attempted.

I did spend quite some time with Apple to make some diagnostic reports for them, so hopefully a solution can be found. Apple is aware, and there are *many* with the same issue.

What I find strange is that Apple does not show this as a "known issue" anywhere.

I will await their release of iOS 26.1 (hopefully by end of the month) - if that version does not have a fix, I might just have to get them to take my iPhone 17 Pro Max back ... I cannot be without CarPlay and navigation.

Oct 4, 2025 7:57 PM in response to ShelbMcG

I wiped my phone and it still doesn’t work…. It sounds like it’s something with the wired connection. I used the wireless connection on another car and it was flawless.

Mastism Author

Level 1

41 points

Sep 21, 2025 3:36 AM in response to KiltedTim

It’s the same cable that we’ve been using with our 16 Pro Maxes, and it was working fine before. It hasn’t worked since I got my 17 Pro Max, and she updated her 16 Pro Max to iOS 26. The car’s system has been reset, both manually and completely, and still nothing.

Mastism Author

Level 1

41 points

Sep 21, 2025 3:37 AM in response to MagicX

I wish this car had wireless CarPlay support through BT just to hold me over until this eventually gets fixed, but unfortunately 2017 Ford models were the first to get CarPlay, and while they have BT, they don’t support wireless CarPlay. It drives me insane.

Jose_R25

Level 1

8 points

Sep 27, 2025 12:44 PM in response to Mastism

Having the same issue with my new IPhone 17 pro Max. Won’t connect or even show up to connect in my 2018 Buick Regal with Intellilink. Software is up to date and my phone will connect with Bluetooth for calls and music but will not connect when wired into my car for CarPlay. Came from a IPhone 12 Pro Max and that was working fine running iOS 18.

[Edited by Moderator]

LD150

Level 10

98,065 points

Sep 27, 2025 2:27 PM in response to Jose_R25

People with older cars

People with specialist hearing devices

People who rely on their phone for accessibility features

People with glucose monitors

really really should avail themselves of Apple’s Public Beta program around August time so they can test it and revert to the older iOS legitimately of the new iOS is not compatible

Sep 30, 2025 2:58 AM in response to Mastism

After 26.0.1 update this morning, my wired CarPlay in my Ford just randomly disconnects whilst on a call.

This phone and iOS combo is Apple’s worst nightmare. I wish I never upgraded.

iPhone 17 Pro/iOS26.0.1

Forged32

Level 1

8 points

Sep 30, 2025 9:57 AM in response to Mastism

I'm having the same issue with my iPhone 17 Pro and my 2023 Jeep Wrangler. The carplay will freeze at times, or disconnect completely. I have tried different cables and nothing seems to work, i was hoping that the update that just came through last night would correct this issue but it has not.

Sep 30, 2025 10:04 PM in response to Mastism

this exact same thing is happening to me! i have a 17 escape which requires a wired connection and had the 16 pro max and updated it to ios 26 and it worked perfectly! just got my 17 pro max the other day and went to plug my phone in to use carplay and again it charges but doesn’t display.

arashr15

Level 1

25 points

Oct 2, 2025 4:07 AM in response to Mastism

I’m having the same issue with my iPhone 17 pro and my 2020 ford mustang. My phone connects to carplay but either randomly disconnects or freezes after a few minutes. Tried two different cables with no luck. Very frustrating.

Oct 2, 2025 4:27 AM in response to rootersph

Random freezing requiring to unplug and replug cable. This is not only dangerous while driving but also inviting huge fines in Australia for touching a phone whilst driving.

Come on Apple, where’s the update?

LCasario

Level 1

8 points

Oct 6, 2025 8:22 AM in response to Mastism

Dodge Charger 2015 will connect the first time to Uconnect for call over Bluetooth after resetting connection but won’t work after. I can hear the caller but they can’t hear me. Very frustrating. I have to put all my calls on speaker.

LAD4

Level 1

8 points

Oct 8, 2025 1:11 PM in response to Maddyg78

I am in exactly the same situation. Also driving a 2021 Jeep and just got a new iPhone 17 air which will not connect to CarPlay. It is a very dangerous situation and had I known I would not have gone with another Apple product.

Oct 18, 2025 12:58 PM in response to MagicX

None of your fixes work. My iPhone 15 pro max works fine. Why do I need to buy a cable to fix it. Is Apple ever going to come out with a fix for this issue? Every fix works temporary but reverts back to the same thing. This is the first time I can remember Apple not addressing a true issue! I use CarPlay for work. It’s useless now and have to go back to my iPhone 15 pro max which works without issue. Apple doesn’t seem to see this as a problem. As for me the iPhone 17 pro max was a downgrade and not an upgrade!

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