iPhone Not Connecting To Car USB After Update To iOS 15.2?
Last updated on January 19th, 2022 at 04:23 pm
Posted in Bug Fixes by Patricia on December 20, 2021
iPhone not connecting to Car USB
Is your iPhone not connecting to car USB after iOS 15.2 update? The connection works partially as iPhone charges via the USB port. However, the car is not able to play music via the wired iPhone connection!
iPhone Not Connecting To Car USB
This issue has been reported by Maria K. in the comments section of our iOS 15.3 beta review page:
“I have a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Since day 1 I have been plugging my phone into the USB port, it connects and plays my music. After the 15.2 update it no longer connects to my car. The USB port still charges my phone but will no longer play music.”
We’ve found a similar report about CarPlay not working after iOS 15.2 update on Apple’s Discussion Forums.
Are you experiencing the same issue? Please share your it in the comments section. Mention car model and any other details that you consider important. We plan to submit feedback to Apple about this new iOS 15.2 bug.
Update (January 15): Apple has fixed the CarPlay – iPhone connection issue in the iOS 15.2.1 release! Does it work for you too? Use the comments section to confirm.
How To Fix iPhone Not Connecting To Car
Here is what you can do to try to fix this issue:
1. Restart iPhone
A reboot could filter minor glitches that could interfere with iPhone – car connectivity.
Tip: Use the force restart trick to quickly reboot your iPhone!
2. Reset Car Connection
Next, you should forget car on iPhone and also forget the device from your car’s head unit. Set them back up and check if the USB connectivity is fixed:
- On iPhone: go for Settings -> Bluetooth -> [Car Name]. Tap the ‘i’ icon and go for Forget This Device.
- On Car: Use your car’s menu button to unpair the vehicle from iPhone. Steps very depending on car model.
3. Change USB to Lightning Cable
If you have any other Lightning to USB cabe back at home. Try switching the cables and retrying. Does it work?
Did you manage to fix CarPlay not working in iOS 15.2? Use the comments section and share your feedback.
Related: Several CarPlay problems have been reported since the release of iOS 15:
– The initial version caused CarPlay not to work with the new iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Series.
– CarPlay There was a problem connecting to Apple Music error.
– CarPlay screen blurry and stretched?
– Podcasts not working in CarPlay!
CarPlay stopped working for me (in my 2021 Mazda CX-5) shortly after updating to 15.2. I replaced the cable with a genuine Apple lightning cable, deleted the car from the phone and vice versa and it will not even recognize the car when I plug it in. Have reset both the phone and the car to no avail and plugging in a friend’s iPhone 7, the car recognized it immediately. If I had known this 13 Pro was going to be such a constant string of problems, I’d have just kept my 11.
Thanks for the feedback Andrew. This sounds annoying indeed. Can you please let me know if your friend’s iPhone 7 also running to iOS 15.2?
I have an iPhoneXR and just recently updated to iOS 15.2. I am now having CarPlay issues between my phone and my 2021 Honda CR-V.
Thanks for the feedback Chrissie. Yes, this is a bug. I’m also having problems with car Bluetooth connectivity on an older Series 3 BMW. It keeps connecting and disconnecting during calls. CarPlay is buggy too!
“I have a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. Since day 1 I have been plugging my phone into the USB port, it connects and plays my music. After the 15.2 update it no longer connects to my car. The USB port still charges my phone but will no longer play music.”
Thanks for the feedback Tracey. iOS 15.2 definitely came with a CarPlay bug. We’ve reported this to Apple and are hoping for a fix in the upcoming update.
I drive a 2013 Chevy Cruze and have been experiencing the same issue since updating to 15.1. I called Apple and they said it’s a known issue and should be fixed with the next update however 15.2 is giving me the same issue. The only way to connect to listen to music is by using an aux cable.
Many thanks for the valuable info Rachel and for sharing the AUX cable workaround. Let’s hope they will fix this in iOS 15.3.
2011 GMC Terrain, happened with new phone 13pro max operating on ios15.1. I had an iPhone 8, and I’m not sure what I was running on but it was never an issue.
Thanks for reporting this. Did you manage to find a workaround? Rebooted iPhone?
I have a 2015 Chevy Cruze and an iPhone 12 this is the single most annoying thing bc my car doesn’t have CarPlay. I’ve used the lightning cable from my old iPhone 7plus bc the new ones aren’t usb. It charges the phone but that’s about it
Thanks for the feedback Ashley. Yes, this should be fixed in an upcoming update. Stay tuned for news!
I have had an iphone 5S, 6S, and SE2. They connected to my 2018 Audi Q3 just fine. The 2018 Audi Q3 does not have Apple Car Play.
I have tried every trick in the book except resetting my phone (why should I when the problem rests with Apple iOS.?) I have seen Chevrolet, Toyota, BMW, Audi and other manufacturers complain of this problem.
Apple blamed Audi, Audi blames Apple and correctly so: iOS 15 started this problem. Why should I have to try 15 different methods to try and “trick” the phone to work. We Apple users shouldn’t have to spend all day (weeks actually) to fix Apple’s problem.
Apple, get on the stick and issue a “fix.” 15.2 didn’t fix it.
You do have a point. Thanks for the feedback. Has this been fixed for you in the meantime?
Just bought an Iphone 13 Pro and am having the same issue. My Iphone 7 works just fine with Bluetooth. I was on the phone with Apple for 2 hours trying to resolve but they gave up and said it was my car.
So frustrated!!!
Update to iOS 15.2.1 please. A CarPlay fix is mentioned in the update log, so there are big chances that it will help. Let us know if you get positive results.
i have been following this thread since last month. I have Chevrolet Cruze L / 2015. I can only connect my iPhone with a cable, bluetooth only works for Siri and phone. I was experiencing the same problem mentioned above, there was no output for any kind of audio through the cable.
Good news is that iOS 15.2.1 fixed it. Audio works, I can play songs again through apple music or listen youtube.
Thanks for confirming this fix pidgeot! We will update the news in the main content of the article.
I have an Audi RS6 2016 and for THE last three years my current iPhone 12 Pro and previous iPhone models USB Music streaming have been working very stable. However since I early november 21 upgraded my iPhone 12 to IOS 15.1 USB Music streaming stopped working. I have tried to reset iphone and the MMI console in my Audi, but no succes. The only solution Apple suggests is to get latest MMI S/W Update from Audi. But I have the newest version.
Torben, please update to iOS 15.2.1. A CarPlay fix is included and it should help out. Let us know if it helps!
I have a iPhone 11 my car is a Honda Civic 2010 and I’ve always connected my phone via usb and never had a problem till iOS 15 came out , I was hoping the new iOS 15.2.1 that was new update would fix this issue as it stated in fixes but it’s still not working can I go back to iOS 14 🤷🏻
What about iOS 15.4.1 which, at the time of writing, is the current version. Did it fix the issue for you?
My husband just updated his iPhone 12 to IOS 15.3 and now my 2021 Mazda CX-5 won’t recognize his phone for CarPlay; my phone (same) is still running on iOS 15.2.1 and has no issues connecting .
Thanks for confirming. Has it been fixed by iOS 15.4.1?
Driving 2015 Subaru BRZ, ios15.3, have no audio it cable is connected, even if I switch to bluetooth. Audio will only work if:
1. Cable not plugged and using bluetooth (cannot charge at the same time)
2. Cable plugged and radio is set to Aha Radio (but playlist/track doesn’t display, so need to use the phone to skip to nexr track, cumbersome and not safe when using gps on phome while driving)
This sounds annoying indeed. Has the issue been corrected by iOS 15.4.1?
Recently upgraded my iPhone 11 to iOS 15.3 and now my phone will not connect to my dodge CarPlay via lightning to USB. No charge, no communication.
Thanks for reporting. No charge, is even worse. As most users confirm charging without communication. Has the issue been patched by iOS 15.4.1?
2022 Honda CR-V.. was using 15.3 and my car would not connect via usb. Thought by updating to 15.3.1 would fix the problem but it did not. My friend has 15.2 and connects right away in my car… annnnoying.
Thanks for the feedback Jon. Has this been fixed for you by iOS 15.4.1?
The IOS 15.3 did not resolve the issue. Older phones still connect with no issues
Thanks for the update. What about iOS 15.4.1?
I’m on 15.5 and it is still not working
Thanks for the feedback. Not sure what else to suggest at this point. Have you tried contacting Apple? Perhaps iOS 16 will finally fix it. We’re currently testing out Developer Beta 1.
I have 2010 Chevy Equinox. I have the 13 pro max. When I first got phone worked fine playing music, etc through USB connection. It has been since update that I can not use those features. It charges and I can take phone calls.
Thanks for confirming this Justine. Has the problem been fixed by iOS 15.4.1?
Everyone gives these nothing solutions and not a word out of Apple. My problems are squarely associated with upgrading from Xr to 13 mini. I have seen comments where folks call Apple and they blame the car or Verizon… no it is an Apple issue. Someone will die because of this and maybe wake Apple up… you need to fix ASAP.
Yes Mark, the issue definitely lies with iOS 15. Have you updated to. version 15.4.1 in the meantime? Has the issue been fixed?
Same issue is occurring with me. I had a 2008 Sorento and just traded up to a 2016 Honda Pilot and the cars can control the music like skip/pause but the music comes from my iPhone. Any fix?? I have reset all settings on my phone and just plain reset my phone twice. Nothing is fixing. Typical apple update
Hi Ian. iOS 15.4.1 is out since you posted. Have you managed to fix this issue? Would appreciate a follow-up. Thanks
2010 Buick Lacrosse & 2010 Honda CRV- IOS 15.3, on new IPHONE 12 and cannot connect with USB port for either car. Apple don’t you dare blame this on two different car manufactures. Fix the damn problem. This is no coincidence based on all the info on the internet. Have tried all the suggested trouble shooting.
Thanks for the feedback Alan. Have you updated to iOS 15.4.1? Did the issue get fixed in the meantime?
2010 Honda CRV and IOS 15.4 – audio still doesn’t work. Wish Apple would fix it once and for all!!
Sorry to hear this Jen. Can you also mention your iPhone model? Btw iOS 15.4.1 is out in the meantime. Did it bring any changes?
I have a 2016 Hyundai Accent that plays through connecting with a cable. After the update, I can charge the phone, but not listen to anything or even select the device.
Thanks for the feedback. I assume your device is running iOS 15.4.1? Can you please mention what the previous version was on your device, as you mentioned ‘after the update’. Wanna pinpoint the cause of this.
Hello, I have the iPhone 12 Pro Max and a 2017 Honda Civic, I haven’t had any recent updates and yesterday my phone usb stopped working. The USB still charges my phone but doesn’t connect like it did before so I can access my navigation and Apple Music hands free. I’ve also attempted the troubleshooting steps above and nothing has worked, any other recommendations?
Thanks for the feedback Mary. Can you please inform me what iOS version you’re on. Go for Settings -> General -> About to find out the info. Did you manage to solve this in the meantime?
My iphone SE has 15.6 and my MINI Cooper 2015 model no longer plays music. Time to dump the iphone and go with a Samsung and tell apple and apple music to get lost.
Sorry to hear this Nigel. A lot of issues have been reported for iOS 15.6, on our review page, but yours is new for this version. Couldn’t replicate at the moment. Let us know if you have any breakthrough.
I have a 2015 Genesis and an iPhone 14pro max running 16.1.1, previously had 11 pro max and was able to stream music via usb, when I plug the usb is shows “reading iPod “ then no audio files??? Streams fine over Bluetooth.
Have tried various fixed but no luck, seems to be now a very common issue and highly annoying
Thanks for reporting. iOS 16.1.2 has been released. Please try it out and let us know if it helps:
https://www.iphonetricks.org/ios-16-1-2-issues-bugs-fixed-problems-review/