Unfortunately, you may have encountered situations where the other person on the call cannot hear you while using CarPlay.
I know it can be frustrating from personal experience!
If you can’t hear phone calls with Apple CarPlay, you’re not alone. Many customers have reported the same issues.
Fortunately, you can fix this issue with basic troubleshooting solutions.
Don’t worry; I’ve compiled a list of options to assist you.
The rest of this article will tell you everything you need to know about fixing this common issue, so you can keep using CarPlay as you normally would.
Apple CarPlay Can’t Hear Phone Calls: Options
While CarPlay can be a really helpful tool, it can be frustrating to face software glitches– especially when you’re making important phone calls.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to solve these audio problems.
Here are some ways to fix CarPlay phone call audio issues:
- Restart your iPhone
- Check if any restrictions are turned on
- Install the latest IOS CarPlay update
- Reset your iPhone’s settings
- Remove and disconnect from other Bluetooth devices
- Replace the USB cable (See our best CarPlay charging cable picks)
- Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled
Let’s explore these solutions in greater detail.
Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone is one of the most simple troubleshooting solutions out there.
To do this, you need to shut down your phone and then turn it on again. Here is how you can go about doing this for different iPhone models:
- iPhone 6s and older models: Press and hold the Power and Home buttons simultaneously till the Apple logo appears
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down and Home buttons at the same time.
- iPhone 8 and newer: Press and hold the Volume Up button for a few seconds, then the Volume Down button for a few moments, and lastly, the Power button till the Apple logo shows.
Check if Any Restrictions Are Turned On
Enabled restrictions might also be contributing to your faulty CarPlay phone calls.
You won’t be able to fully utilize CarPlay if you have certain restrictions enabled.
Fortunately, this is an easy fix that simply requires a few settings adjustments.
Here is how you can fix this issue:
- Open the Settings app and click on General.
- Go to Restrictions, enter your passcode, look for CarPlay, and switch it off.
This could be an issue if for instance, Facetime was disabled and you were receiving a FaceTime audio call, through CarPlay.
Install the Latest IOS Update
If you don’t have the latest IOS update installed on your device, this might cause a few CarPlay software glitches that can contribute to faulty phone call audio.
You can fix this by ensuring that you have the latest software update installed on your iPhone.
Here is how you can go about installing the latest CarPlay IOS update:
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- To update your software, go to Settings.
- Go to General and find Software Update. You can then install the update onto your device.
This is one of Apple’s recommended steps for issues with iPhones.
Reset Your iPhone’s Settings
If your phone seems to be dealing with many bugs and lag, you might want to consider resetting your iPhone’s settings.
However, you must back up your iPhone beforehand since resetting it will result in data loss.
- Reset your device by going to Settings, then General, then Reset.
- Select the option Reset All Settings.
- In the pop-up window, enter your password and press “Reset All Settings.”
After this is complete, you will need to set up your phone again.
While this might seem like an inconvenience, it’s actually a great way to tackle multiple software glitches at once.
Remove and Disconnect From Other Bluetooth Devices
Another easy solution to CarPlay phone call audio issues might be to disconnect your device from other Bluetooth devices.
You can also remove other devices from your phone’s memory by going to Settings and then Bluetooth.
From there, you can choose to have your iPhone forget previous connections to other devices.
This solution is helpful because, more often than not, the reasoning behind not being able to hear phone calls through CarPlay might simply be because your phone has automatically connected to another device.
Addinatianlly, you can clear your Bluetooth memory on your car stereo, and start a fresh connection.
Replace the USB Cable
If you use a USB cable to connect your phone to your vehicle rather than Bluetooth, it’s a good idea to check if your cable is in good shape, as this can cause an unstable CarPlay connection.
Make sure to look for any defective or chipped wire portions. It might be a good idea to invest in a new cable if yours is damaged because this might be the culprit behind your audio issues.
The Anker Powerline+ is an excellent well-trusted lightning cable to choose from if you want to replace your lighting cable.
As seen below:
Ensure That Bluetooth Is Enabled
Another quick and easy way to solve your phone call audio problems might be to switch on Bluetooth.
If Bluetooth is disabled, this can make it difficult to utilize all of CarPlay’s functions and features.
You can enable wireless connections by going to the settings section of your device and clicking on Bluetooth.
From here, you will have the option to toggle between On and Off.
Conclusion – Why CarPlay Phone Calls Not Working?
CarPlay is an excellent way to use your favorite applications while driving.
However, while this software can provide you with quite a bit of convenience, it can quickly turn into a hassle when you can’t hear phone calls, and CarPlay isn’t working.
Luckily, this article lists some of the best troubleshooting solutions to this particular problem.
But if you still can’t solve the issue, you should contact Apple support for additional assistance. Regardless of whether your phone/stereo is still under warranty, they should be able to help assist you.
This article is dedicated to not being able to hear phone calls through CarPlay. We also wrote a range of articles on different audio issues you may face with carplay. These include:
