One of the benefits of Apple’s walled garden is there are fewer things that can break down. This is the reason CarPlay is generally considered a more reliable alternative to Android Auto.
But the latest iOS updates released by Apple prove otherwise, as more and more users come across various issues that obviously can’t be fixed without an official patch.
This time, what we have here are reports of a problem encountered after installing iOS 14.3, the software update published by the Cupertino-based tech giant in mid-December.
Several users are complaining online, including on reddit, that iOS 14.3 has made it quite a struggle to run CarPlay in their cars, simply because the head unit no longer recognizes the iPhone. This only happens sporadically, so while CarPlay launches just fine right now, it might no longer work if you disconnect the iPhone and try the same thing again.
In some cases, users claim their iPhones are still charging, which means the connection between the smartphone and the head units is working, only that CarPlay doesn’t fire up. Resetting the CarPlay settings makes things worse, it seems, as re-pairing the iPhone and the head unit is no longer possible.
While everything is working correctly on my end, some users say they even took the car to the dealership for a fix.
“Nothing I’ve done has remedied the problem. VW service techs replaced my radio and updated my car software. They have no idea why it isn’t working and told me that it is an Apple issue but my phone works in a friend’s VW Golf. I’ve replaced the cord, removed my car, rebooted my phone and my car, my Siri is on, CarPlay is not restricted,” someone explains.
At this point, no workaround is known to exist, so unless Apple itself comes up with a fix, it’s all just a matter of luck to bring things back to normal in your car.
This time, what we have here are reports of a problem encountered after installing iOS 14.3, the software update published by the Cupertino-based tech giant in mid-December.
Several users are complaining online, including on reddit, that iOS 14.3 has made it quite a struggle to run CarPlay in their cars, simply because the head unit no longer recognizes the iPhone. This only happens sporadically, so while CarPlay launches just fine right now, it might no longer work if you disconnect the iPhone and try the same thing again.
In some cases, users claim their iPhones are still charging, which means the connection between the smartphone and the head units is working, only that CarPlay doesn’t fire up. Resetting the CarPlay settings makes things worse, it seems, as re-pairing the iPhone and the head unit is no longer possible.
While everything is working correctly on my end, some users say they even took the car to the dealership for a fix.
“Nothing I’ve done has remedied the problem. VW service techs replaced my radio and updated my car software. They have no idea why it isn’t working and told me that it is an Apple issue but my phone works in a friend’s VW Golf. I’ve replaced the cord, removed my car, rebooted my phone and my car, my Siri is on, CarPlay is not restricted,” someone explains.
At this point, no workaround is known to exist, so unless Apple itself comes up with a fix, it’s all just a matter of luck to bring things back to normal in your car.