iPhone 15 owners report connection issues with Apple CarPlay — what we know so far

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Can't get your new phone to connect to CarPlay? Here are the solutions people have had luck with so far

Apple CarPlay
(Image credit: Apple)

It looks like Apple's driving-friendly app isn't playing too nicely with the new iPhone 15 series. Several users on Reddit, MacRumors, and other online forums are reporting connectivity problems with Apple CarPlay when trying to hook up their new devices, an issue that's likely tied to the transition to USB-C.

Starting with the iPhone 15, Apple has finally ditched its proprietary Lightning cable to fall in line with a European Union mandate that all phone makers adopt the USB-C port before the end of 2024. But that transition appears to be having unforeseen issues when connecting to Apple's other products. 

Per MacRumors, the issue has been reported to Apple, and it's currently working on a solution. Just given the wide range of reports, multiple issues could be at play, which could require a software update to fix CarPlay's connectivity woes. In the meantime, your best bet is to try to use a high-quality USB cable that supports both charging and data transfer. If that doesn't work, try testing out different cables from different brands. And if that still doesn't work, well, you may just be out of luck with CarPlay for a while.

A rocky start for the iPhone 15

CarPlay connectivity issues aren't the only problems plaguing the iPhone 15's rollout. Some owners are reporting their new devices overheat after performing simple tasks like browsing through social media feeds or watching videos for a short period of time. 

Thermal images showing the phone’s hotspots suggest several different culprits — like the line's new A17 Pro chip or titanium alloy frame. Apple issued a statement explaining it's not a hardware issue but rather tied to several software-related conditions, including recent updates on certain third-party apps and a bug with iOS 17 that will be addressed in a future update.

iPhone 15 owners have also reported their fingerprints can make the iPhone 15 Pro's swanky new titanium frame change color. Something that Apple says is a temporary issue caused by a reaction to the oils in your skin; you can restore the original color by wiping your phone down with a damp, lint-free cloth. 

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Alyse Stanley
Alyse Stanley
News Editor

Alyse Stanley is a news editor at Tom’s Guide, overseeing weekend coverage and writing about the latest in tech, gaming, and entertainment. Before Tom’s Guide, Alyse worked as an editor for the Washington Post’s sunsetted video game section, Launcher. She previously led Gizmodo’s weekend news desk and has written game reviews and features for outlets like Polygon, Unwinnable, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. She’s a big fan of horror movies, cartoons, and roller skating. She's also a puzzle fan and can often be found contributing to the NYT Connections coverage on Tom's Guide