Weird Apple CarPlay issue - help needed.

[stealthytolkien]

I am noticing that when the car is connected wirelessly to CarPlay, it disconnects at exactly the same locations every single time I pass through there. Often, it’ll reconnect and fix itself but sometimes it just won’t, leading to a blank screen or just a complete disconnection requiring a reboot of the infotainment system.

Does anyone know why this happens? And more importantly, is there a way around it? Both car and phone are running the latest non-beta software. And this is location specific, so I don’t think it has to do anything with either device’s software / firmware.

Wired CarPlay works perfectly. No issues there.

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[Jerrytball]

I am noticing that when the car is connected wirelessly to CarPlay, it disconnects at exactly the same locations every single time I pass through there. Often, it’ll reconnect and fix itself but sometimes it just won’t, leading to a blank screen or just a complete disconnection requiring a reboot of the infotainment system.

Does anyone know why this happens? And more importantly, is there a way around it? Both car and phone are running the latest non-beta software. And this is location specific, so I don’t think it has to do anything with either device’s software / firmware.

Wired CarPlay works perfectly. No issues there.

I’m really not saying I know what’s going on with it, but could have anything to do with Bluetooth connections in the car, maybe settings on the phones or on the car. I would start with Bluetooth and then go from there.

 

[smhenn]

I believe wireless CarPlay and AA use a WiFi connection to the car. If it disconnects at the same location ever time, it could be some sort of interference that disrupts the WiFi temporarily.

 

[stealthytolkien]

I’m really not saying I know what’s going on with it, but could have anything to do with Bluetooth connections in the car, maybe settings on the phones or on the car. I would start with Bluetooth and then go from there.

I sincerely appreciate the suggestion and it was also my first instinct to try but Apple CarPlay doesn’t work on Bluetooth. It works over WiFi I believe.

My theory, just based on where it disconnects, is that it is traffic dependent because that’s also the busiest part of town and the 5G network gets jammed and or there is something else that interferes with the WiFi heavily. I am more interested in finding out why it happens

 

[Jerrytball]

I sincerely appreciate the suggestion and it was also my first instinct to try but Apple CarPlay doesn’t work on Bluetooth. It works over WiFi I believe.

My theory, just based on where it disconnects, is that it is traffic dependent because that’s also the business part of town and the 5G network gets jammed and or there is something else that interferes with the WiFi heavily. I am more interested in finding out why it happens

The reason I said on Bluetooth was because in my other Mustang, it did not have wireless Apple CarPlay. I had to buy that little dongle. So I didn’t think it was working over Wi-Fi in the car on the road. Yeah I don’t know a lot about how the connection really is, but I thought it did involve Bluetooth. I’m sorry.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Does anyone know why this happens? And more importantly, is there a way around it? Both car and phone are running the latest non-beta software. And this is location specific, so I don’t think it has to do anything with either device’s software / firmware.

Because you are in an area with high RF interference, lots of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz activity or jamming. This disrupts the wireless CarPlay WiFi link so it fails. The way around it is to use wired CarPlay instead.

 

[Jerrytball]

Guess I was throwing Bluetooth in there because I guess you need to make sure your phone is connected to the car with Bluetooth. I guess not with CarPlay my mistake sorry.

 

[stealthytolkien]

Guess I was throwing Bluetooth in there because I guess you need to make sure your phone is connected to the car with Bluetooth. I guess not with CarPlay my mistake sorry.

I know, it’s exactly what I thought. But I noticed that the moment car connects to CarPlay, it switches off all Bluetooth connections. Which means, only WiFi chips is in action on both devices - car and phone.

 

[markboris]

As Lee said above, this is strictly a wi-fi issue. Nothing to do with CarPlay but since CarPlay only uses WiFi to connect that’s why it drops in that area. I get the same thing in specific areas in Arizona and Colorado in the same exact locations. It usually reconnects within a mile or so.

 

[stealthytolkien]

As Lee said above, this is strictly a wi-fi issue. Nothing to do with CarPlay but since CarPlay only uses WiFi to connect that’s why it drops in that area. I get the same thing in specific areas in Arizona and Colorado in the same exact locations. It usually reconnects within a mile or so.

So, I am assuming that there’s really nothing we can do about it other than hardwiring the phone, yes?

 

[markboris]

So, I am assuming that there’s really nothing we can do about it other than hardwiring the phone, yes?

Correct. Nothing we can do about it except use a hardwire connection.

 

[NerdUno]

So, I am assuming that there’s really nothing we can do about it other than hardwiring the phone, yes?

Just don't drive that way to your destination.

 

[stealthytolkien]

Just don't drive that way to your destination.

?

 

[stealthytolkien]

Because you are in an area with high RF interference, lots of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz activity or jamming. This disrupts the wireless CarPlay WiFi link so it fails. The way around it is to use wired CarPlay instead.

is there a way to make my car a faraday cage? Lol

 

[Mach-Lee]

is there a way to make my car a faraday cage? Lol

Metallic tint on all the windows, but then your cell phone won’t work…

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