Apple CarPlay not working in iOS 16? Here’s how to fix it

Is your CarPlay not working after iOS 16 update?

Apple CarPlay is a great way to listen to music, make calls, receive text messages, and use apps on your iPhone while driving—without compromising your safety. Some users, however, discovered CarPlay issues after upgrading their iPhones to iOS 16.

If the CarPlay disconnects as soon as you start playing a track, or you can no longer reorganize apps on the car radio screen like you used to, don’t worry. These issues may be due to upgrade glitches, hardware issues, or newly changed restrictions.

Whatever the case, we’re here to help you restore the functionality of your CarPlay. We’ve listed different potential solutions below, along with easy-to-follow instructions. Here’s how to fix a CarPlay that’s not working in iOS 16 beta.

Let’s get started!

1. Restart Your iPhone

We’ll start with the most obvious remedy for many smartphone-related issues: a restart. Sometimes, simply turning your phone on and off again can fix Apple CarPlay not working on iOS 16 issue, so give this a try first before opting for the other fixes listed here. Go to settings > general > shut down.

2. Make Sure CarPlay Is Enabled on Your iPhone

If you can’t get Apple CarPlay started in your vehicle, it might be because the feature has not yet been enabled on your iOS 16 device. To do this:

1. First, head to your phone’s settings, and then head to General.
2. Then, go to the CarPlay section in your General Settings, and head to My Cars. Here, you can configure or re-configure your vehicle by forgetting it and connecting to it again.

3. Make Sure Your Bluetooth Is Connected

If you’re using Apple CarPlay wirelessly, ensure your Bluetooth is enabled. You can find your Bluetooth settings by heading to Settings > Bluetooth. Here, you can activate Bluetooth using the toggle.

In this instance, you should also check that Airplane Mode isn’t currently enabled on your phone, as this will disable all of your device’s wireless capabilities. If the toggle is green, simply tap it once to disable Airplane Mode so you can connect to your vehicle wirelessly.

4. Check Your USB Cable

If you’re using CarPlay via a hardwire connection, there may be an issue with your Lightning cable. So, check your cable externally to ensure it’s intact, and then test it out in another setting. For example, you could try charging another device using the cable to see if it works. It’s often the simplest faults that cause tech issues, so replacing your Lightning to USB cable if it’s shown to have an unreliable or non-existent connection could help.

You should also ensure that your USB cable is plugged into the correct port within your vehicle.

5. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS 16 beta

Some of the issues you’ll encounter when using your smartphone can be solved through a simple software update, as this can fix any bugs or additional problems currently affecting your device’s performance. So, if you’re having problems with Apple CarPlay, make sure your iPhone is learning the latest version of iOS 16 beta.

You can check whether your iPhone is due an update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update. Here, you’ll be able to see if a newer version of iOS 16 beta is available, which could help solve your CarPlay issue.

6. Make Sure Siri Is Enabled When Locked

If you’re trying to control Apple CarPlay using your voice and it isn’t responding, this might be because your Siri voice assistant is disabled on your phone whenever it’s locked. To check Siri’s status, head to Settings > Siri & Search.

Here, you can check if Siri is active and enable it if it is not. If not, tap on the toggle next to Allow Siri When Locked to activate it.

7. Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Compatible with CarPlay

Unfortunately, not all car models and manufacturers support Apple CarPlay. If you have an older model, for instance, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to use CarPlay. You can check out our piece that lists all the manufacturers that support CarPlay or head to Apple’s list of all CarPlay-supported models to see whether your vehicle is compatible with this feature.

8. Ensure That Apple CarPlay Is Not Restricted

If Apple CarPlay can’t detect your iPhone, it might be because the service is restricted on your iOS 16 device. To ensure that CarPlay is unrestricted, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. Tap on Allowed Apps.
5. Make sure that the toggle next to CarPlay is switched on.

Fix CarPlay Not Working in iOS 16 With Minimum Fuss

It’s always frustrating when a trusty piece of technology stops working and being unable to use your phone responsibly while on the road can be very limiting. But with the tips and tricks above, you can weed out the issues affecting your CarPlay and get back to listening to tunes, navigating your journey, or getting in touch with loved ones safely and conveniently.