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

Have you tried removing VPN, just for laughs?

An important and frequently overlooked fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, OS version and network that the device uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your device, then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.

Here's more detail about: VPN - What you need to know

dragonpanda wrote:

You surely don't suggest I expose my home server directly on the internet?

However, getting rid of the VPN is the only thing I haven't tried yet.

Question though, why does it work without any problem on older phones, but gives issues on the 17?

It isn’t a matter of older phones, it is because you either changed devices or updated iOS (or both) and did not remove and reinstall VPN.

An important and frequently overlooked fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, OS version and network that the device uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your device, then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.

Here's more detail about: VPN - What you need to know

My iPhone 17 Pro Max (2TB) had this exact issue. Called Apple Support and ran diagnostics. No hardware problems found. I reset network settings, removed the VPN, tried everything. Problem still persisted, so I returned it and bought the same model and spec. The Wi-Fi instability is completely gone now. Pretty sure the first unit was defective.

Dragon8_u wrote:

<I Do.log>

Have a VPN on at all times

This is likely your issue. VPN on iPhone is not recommended and in most causes more issues than they solve. They don't provide the security people think they do and most garden variety, free VPNs are selling your browsing data to anyone willing to pay for it. I'd not only remove the VPN in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, but also any corresponding VPN App. Then Force Restart your iPhone --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

Now see if you still have issues.

It’s the VPN causing the issue. I experienced ALL of the documented issues, on WIFI to include drops, websites reporting I wasn’t connected to the internet, inability to stay connected, etc. I tried all the fixes and hacks listed on various Reddit, Apple forums, no change. The minute I deleted MS Defender, cleared (reset) all network settings (for the uphteenth time), restart and Wa-La! No more connectivity problems.

VPN was the issue!

Ok - I found the solution for my case - disconnected the HomePods I have at home (the original large ones, the mini connected to my Apple TV are not an issue). I'm currently sitting wearing my apple watch series 10, while using airplay to my Sonos Five stereos pair, a TV, and the HomePods mini through an Apple TV, and I cannot replicate the issue any more.... now I can remember the issue had started when I had first attempted to airplay to those large HomePods.

I drove today with no CarPlay issues but note I didn't have the Apple Watch with me (2024 bmw i4), and the reason I ended up spending hours getting to this solution is because I went to a friend's house and could not replicate even once under his WIFI. (he has no HomePods)

Speculating - if my phone goes crazy while in the same network as the large old HomePods with older chips that have not been made compatible yet with the new Iphones, could this be a similar situation for those having Apple Watch issues (older series or not yet in latest watchOS)?... maybe similar for anyone with CarPlay issues?

Similar issues described here. Transitioning from iPhone 13 to iPhone 17 pro, no VPNs. Many attempts, no connection wired or wireless. CarPlay and phone would pair, but eventually drop Bluetooth and then fail. When attempting to reconnect the Bluetooth of the phone would claim the CarPlay could not be found and force me to remove the device. Removed the Apple Watch from the situation, deleted the historical sync with WiFi and Bluetooth, restarted from scratch and it worked perfectly the next try. Seems like the watch Bluetooth is a little too much at the same time.

My mate gave me his Ottocast Minicube 3.0 (2025 wireless adapter model) as he's getting a new vehicle next week.

Drove around for a few hours today – solid connection, not one drop out. Tested maps, phone calls, Whatsapp calls, TuneIn Radio, Apple Music, Spotify and music directly from the phone itself – absolutely working perfectly with the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Different story when using an older wireless adaptor (Carlinkit) or native wireless CarPlay in the car... so it is DEFINITELY some kind of compatibility issue with older wireless chipsets with Apple's new N1 network chip. Constant disconnects with those.

Battery life is fine – hardly any strain on the phone as far as I can see and the performance of this little Ottocast Minicube 3.0 is fantastic... hardly any lag with the touch screen too.

I have the iPhone 17 Pro which I set up by transferring everything from my iPhone 15 Pro. I couldn't connect to CarPlay in my 2019 Mini Clubman and tried several troubleshooting suggestions I found online. Then, I noticed that my wifi was connected to the Mini so I selected "Forget This Network" and then tried reconnecting to CarPlay and it worked. Hope this solution might help others with this same issues.

I just tested it again: turn off watch BT. Get in car and CarPlay connected normally. Drive 10 min without issue. Then I turn on Watch BT to link with iPhone 17 pro. CarPlay frozen again within some minutes. if you also have Apple Watch, give it a try for a workaround until Apple roll out a new patch.

Jukka65 wrote:

Same problem wireless connection CarPlay iPhone pro max, I don't have VPN connection enabled!!! CarPlay connection disconnects every 10min! I disconnect and reconnect, this helps for 10min. and the same error occurs again!! really annoying!! we need Apple to fix it soon!!

If you have VPN installed, even if it isn’t enabled, that can still be a cause. Try deleting the VPN profile and restarting.

Hello everyone,

I’ve been a silent reader for several days now, and I think I’ve found a — quite simple — solution that works really well for me regarding wireless CarPlay.

Briefly about the scenario: I have a 17P and an Apple Watch Series 11; in my car (Mercedes CLA 180, 2021) I use an wired-wo-wireless adapter. With my 16P it always worked well, but with the 17 the connection kept dropping. I noticed that it got worse whenever the iPhone and Watch exchanged information — especially during navigation or when calls were mirrored to both the phone and the watch.

I don’t use a VPN, but locking the watch or even turning it off unfortunately didn’t help either.

In the end, the solution was — quite simply — a new adapter. I’m not entirely sure why, but I suspect that the new N1 and older adapter models are somehow incompatible. So I bought a new one (2025 version) and today, during a one-hour drive, I had no problems at all with music streaming or phone calls — even with the watch unlocked on my wrist!

It’s also important not to set up the adapter via the CarPlay function, but to first connect it as a Bluetooth accessory.

I don’t know if this will help any of you as well, but it’s definitely worth a try!

dragonpanda wrote:

• 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

Get rid of the VPN completely. Don't just turn it off. VPN's cause connectivity issues on iPhone and simply aren't needed.

iOS 26.0.1 addresses the issue. This came out after 26.1B1, so if you’re on beta, wait until 26.1B2.

So I did some research today and a friend has one of those brand new Ottocast Carplay Minicubes.

We tried connecting my iPhone 17 Pro Max to it and drove around in his car for about 45 mins and no disconnections at all.

Went back to my car – factory wireless Carplay and kept dropping out almost every few minutes....

I then asked if I could borrow his Ottocast Carplay Minicube for my car - connected up fine and ZERO dropouts at all. Literally drove for about an hour around going through all the places that it dropped out as well to make sure it wasn't interference etc. Not 1 disconnect!!!

I have a feeling the new N1 Wifi chip by Apple has some hardware compatibility issues with some manufacturers, as it seems to be widespread but also some people are saying they have no issues with it.

Really hoping this can be sorted out with a future software update but somehow I kind of doubt it as it may be hardware based with the new N1 chip....

And NO VPN on my phone is setup either haha in case anyone is asking/wondering.