CarPlay in iOS 18.4 arrives with disconnection issues for some

AppleInsider

CarPlay in the newly updated iOS 18.4 is causing problems for an unknown number of users, who report it disconnecting and reconnecting.


Apple's CarPlayAppleInsider readers have long reported that CarPlay has various disconnection problems before, but this new update appears to have brought a series of issues. The main problem appears to be specifically that wireless CarPlay will disconnect and reconnect, but some users are no longer seeing the "Now Playing" information on their car screen.

Really unhappy with iOS 18.4.. #Carplay is driving me crazy. Think I will upgrade to the betas. So annoying that were on .4 and the quality is still bunk #apple #ios184 #ios185

-- ceadd (@ceaddl)

April 2, 2025

What information gets displayed on CarPlay -- and even the layout of the controls -- varies by car manufacturer, and the screen size of the display. But there's no reason why controls and information shown in CarPlay before iOS 18.4 should now be different.

However, one improvement that iOS 18.4 brought to CarPlay was the presentation of more icons on the screen. A third row of app icons will now be shown, depending on the size of the display.

Then there is the issue of the disconnections from wireless CarPlay. Some users report that it happens randomly, that there will be a disconnection and then a reconnection with no apparent cause.

One Reddit user said CarPlay disconnected when he asked Siri to read a text.

Apart from it being specifically concerned with wireless CarPlay, and iOS 18.4, there is as yet no obvious patten to which cars are being affected. There is also currently no detail of how widespread the issues are, though as spotted by 9to5mac, there are now multiple reports across social media.

AppleInsider has not been able to reproduce the issues.

The issues come after iOS 18.4 also reportedly caused problems with unwanted apps being either restored or installed on iPhones.

Apple has yet to comment on either issue. If you are seeing either, we recommend contacting Apple support about the matter, so it can be logged and assessed by the company directly. The company does not pay attention to media reports, nor anecdotes on social media.



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rob53

CarPlay on my Alpine deck has always disconnected at random times. It uses WiFi and there are some areas I drove through regularly where it would drop every time. I have to wonder if certain areas, generally with large buildings, have equipment that shuts down WiFi and cellular, just like what the police can do (at least in movies). Blaming iOS 18.4 is not fair since it's been happening to me for more than five years. Alpine doesn't update any firmware on the iLX-107. 

robin huber

My wireless CarPlay insisted on going directly to a Podcast I had been listening to on my morning walk, and refused to allow me to switch over to my Maps. Had to re-start my phone to get it to let go. 

m4m40

18.4 is a fucking mess. One of my iPads won’t stay connected to WiFi for more than few hours and my HomePods keep pausing and stopping in the middle of songs. 

rogue01

Actually, 18.4 fixed the random disconnects with my iPhone 15 Pro using a USB-C to USB-A cable with my factory stereo.  It would randomly disconnect, iPhone 15 Pro not responding and then reconnect, or sometimes have to pull the cable and plug back in to get it to reconnect.

But I have noticed that if you are listening to music on your phone with the now playing screen and you unplug and turn the car off.  When you plug back into CarPlay the next day, it will resume the music but be on the home screen with icons instead of the Now Playing screen.

At least it stays connected now because it was really annoying when using Waze for a destination for navigation prompts and the phone randomly disconnects losing your Map display and not hearing the navigation prompts until you get it reconnected.

But yeah, CarPlay is a S**tshow and Apple thinks they want to take over the entire car with CarPlay 2.0?  Not a chance with all these bugs.

mustseeuhdtv

I’m having trouble connecting via USB cable, but I thought it might be going bad. Didn’t have this issue until 18.4. Wireless CarPlay is fine when I plug in my Ottocast.

chasm

Haven't tested this thoroughly, but so far no problems on any of my devices on iOS 18.4, and no problems with CarPlay.

I have an older Mac (Intel i9) that got the update, and no problems there either -- unless you count constantly wondering if macOS 16 will still support Intel Macs, not that I plan on keeping this reliable-but-noisy Intel Mac for much longer anyway.