Phone is Charging but CarPlay Not Working: 8 Best Solutions

Have you ever faced a situation where the phone is charging, but CarPlay not working? It becomes frustrating if the iPhone is connected to the car multimedia system but fails to identify and unlock its primary functions, including maps, Siri, or music. A better phone connection with CarPlay is the source of perfect navigation and wireless communication while driving.

Just charging a phone through a car is simple, but Apple CarPlay requires more attention for successful integration. Different car manufacturers develop various models with CarPlay, which sometimes results in minor glitches, especially if the iOS version is new or has been updated recently.

How to Setup Apple CarPlay

To set up the Apple CarPlay, you can use two approaches. 

Wired Apple CarPlay Setup

• Connect your iPhone with the certified cable and put the other end into your car’s USB port.
• A notification will pop up on your iPhone asking whether you want to enable CarPlay.
• You are good to go. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your smartphone to the car’s infotainment system.

Wireless Apple CarPlay Setup

• First, you have to check if your car supports wireless CarPlay.
• Activate your Car’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
• Connect your iPhone to the Car’s system.
• Pair and CarPlay should auto-start.

How Do I Enable Apple CarPlay on My iPhone?

Go to Settings > General > CarPlay and ensure that CarPlay is enabled and your car is listed under My Cars.

If the Phone is Charging but Apple CarPlay is Not Working

Many users report phone charging issues, but CarPlay needs to be fixed on iOS 17 after upgrading their iPhone or even on iOS 15 and iOS 16. Here are some common causes and their fixes

1. Faulty or Incompatible USB Cable

A faulty or incompatible USB cable may be the first reason that causes the issue of “phone charging but Apple Carplay not working.” Not all cables are designed to conduct data transfer functions when using Apple CarPlay.

Try switching to a different, properly Apple-certified USB cable to connect the phone to the Car. Also, verify whether the USB port you are using supports data transfer since some ports are made purely for charging.

2. Temporary Software Glitches

Temporary software glitches may also cause the connection failure problems. Restarting your cell phone or Car sometimes fixes the problem of “phone charging but Apple CarPlay not working.”

Switch off your iPhone, wait a little, and then turn it back on. Then, reboot the Car’s system by switching the engine off and waiting at least one minute before restarting.

3. Incompatible Software

Another good reason why Carplay is not working is the software is incompatible. The new iOS versions, including iOS 15, iOS 16, and iOS 17, may carry some bugs or need to be more functional with your Car’s system.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and update any available system. Your dealership or the website for the car manufacturer should have information on software updates for your Car’s infotainment system.

4. CarPlay is Turned off

If the CarPlay on your iPhone is turned off, you can see your phone is charging, but CarPlay not working. It can often happen after a software update or accidentally adjusting your settings. It’s a common problem that can be fixed by quickly checking your phone’s settings.

Check your iPhone’s settings by going to Settings > General > CarPlay to ensure you have enabled the feature. It would help if you verified your Car it has been added to ‘My Cars.’ If it hasn’t, you must follow the instructions and manually add it.

5. Bad Network Connection

A bad network connection might be the reason behind the “CarPlay not working” issue. Wireless CarPlay depends on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and can sometimes become misconfigured or interrupted.

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You’ll lose the Wi-Fi passwords you saved. After this step, you’ll have to reconnect with them. Then, try CarPlay again after it’s reset.

6. USB Port Reserved for just Charging

Some USB ports in a car are reserved just for charging and will not work for Apple CarPlay. You will surely receive a CarPlay not working error if you use the wrong port. Many cars have more than one USB port, and some are strictly used for charging and others for data transfer.

Switch to a different USB port for your Car. Check out your Car’s manual to see if that port can support the transportation of both charging and data, which is fundamental to the usability of CarPlay.

7. Apple’s USB Restricted Mode

Apple’s USB Restricted Mode prevents unauthorized devices from accessing your phone’s data. Although this is a good feature in terms of security, it can sometimes interfere with Apple CarPlay even when the phone is charging. Deactivating it might restore CarPlay to its normal working state.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older iPhones), scroll down to USB Accessories, and toggle it on. This will now allow CarPlay access to your phone’s data, as the security setting no longer restricts it.

8. Forget and Reconnect Your Car in CarPlay Settings

There may be miscommunication between your iPhone and the Car’s infotainment system. You may forget your Car in the CarPlay settings and reconnect it to solve the problem.

To reset your iPhone and Car link, go to Settings > General > CarPlay, choose your Car from the list, and tap Forget This Car. Then, reconnect your iPhone to the Car through on-screen instructions. It is how you’ll make a new link between your phone and your Car, possibly resolving the problem.

Phone Charging but Carplay Not Working

Many Subaru owners need help with problems where their phones charge, but CarPlay does not work. This has been reported to occur in obsolescent infotainment system software or iOS versions.

Here are two solutions especially for Subaru owners

1. Update Subaru Infotainment Software: Subaru sometimes posts software updates to offer the repair. You can contact your local dealer or Subaru to get the available updates.
2. Use a Different USB Port: Your Subaru model uses several USB ports, and it is only that not all of them support data transfer.

In conclusion, if your phone is charging but the CarPlay is not working, the problem may lie in the list of the issues, having either a faulty cable, incompatibility of the iOS version, or even issues with the Car’s software. It would thus find out what needs to get fixed and let the proper fix get Apple CarPlay working again.

This problem is often encountered after an iPhone update or using non-certified cables. Your iPhone gear, USB cable, and car infotainment systems must be updated and ready. Regular tech maintenance will save you headaches down the line.

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