Apple CarPlay is an exciting mobile phone integration program for cars. However, you may experience glitches with the system over time. Apple CarPlay lag and audio delay are common challenges you may face.
Apple CarPlay being glitchy and disconnecting can be highly frustrating. For example, imagine trying to see a video from YouTube, and the audio fails to keep up with the video’s pace.
You may also want to next a song from the playlist to your favorite music only to discover a transition delay.
It can be annoying, mainly if these challenges occur when the CarPlay installation is just a few weeks old. So the big question is: How do you fix Apple CarPlay delay and audio lag?
The main culprits tend to be:
- Faulty cable / Wireless connection
- Incompatible/unusable hardware (iPhone or Stereo)
One way to fix the lag is to go to the settings on your iPhone. Search for “CarPlay” while the phone is still connected to your car. You will find a list of available vehicles. Click on your vehicle’s name and click “forget this car.” Connect afresh to CarPlay.
Causes of Apple CarPlay Lagging and Delay Solutions
Apple CarPlay lag is not unnatural in cars. So, if you are experiencing this challenge at the moment, don’t panic. The problem is traceable to the following issues:
1. Faulty USB cable
Apple CarPlay functions better in cars with USB cables. However, your USB CarPlay cable may wear out over time or may not be appropriately connected at some point. You may likely experience lag when selecting the next or previous track on a music app in any of these cases.
Anker Powerline+ is an excellent well-trusted lightning cable to choose from if you want to replace your lighting cable. As seen below.
2. Weak wireless connection
CarPlay comes with a wireless connection alternative (Wireless CarPlay) if you don’t want to use a USB cable. However, the wireless connection works with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and sometimes the signals may be weak, causing the lagging effect.
The process is also the same for using wireless CarPlay Dongles.
You may likely experience a lag in the CarPlay because of this issue. You may have to disconnect and reconnect the wireless connection system to resolve this challenge. This is commonly known as “forgetting your device,” allowing you to connect it like new.
3. iPhone Incompatibility / Suitability
Again, if you experience CarPlay lag while using your iPhone in your car, it could be that the phone is not compatible or suitable for CarPlay.
CarPlay requires iPhone 5 and any newer version, but older iPhones such as the 5 have old technology and don’t always perform as well with this tech.
From my experience, anything from an iPhone 7/8 or lower is likely to have far worse CarPlay performance which could be the reason for the carplay delay or lagging.
So, if the CarPlay lag persists, you may have to try the system with another iPhone to verify if the issue is because of incompatibility.
Make sure your iPhone is up to date with the latest CarPlay IOS.
The full list of compatibility is:
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
iPhone 5s
iPhone 5c
iPhone 5
See more info on Apple’s Website.
Fixing Apple CarPlay Audio Delay & Lag
Some people are used to playing music while driving, especially when going alone. It is one way to deal with boredom if you often drive alone on a long journey. Others, prefer to listen to audio messages to maximize idle time while driving.
In any of these cases, CarPlay audio delay can hinder the free flow of the music or message. Audio delay can be frustrating when you are trying to next the songs on the playlist to your favorite track as you hit the road.
However, do not worry; you can resolve the problem in just a few steps. The following are some tips you can leverage to rectify the issue immediately.
Check your iPhone’s connection to CarPlay.
CarPlay requires a high-quality USB cable. So, if you have a low-quality cable or your cable is worn-out, it would be best to replace it. Wireless connection users must also ensure that Wi-Fi is enabled on their phones.
Restart your car and iPhone
You may want to restart your iPhone to refresh its system for proper functioning. At the same time, please turn off your car and turn it on again.
- Verify whether Siri is on.
- Ensure that you have the most recent firmware on your car (more details in your car manufacturer’s manual). & Update CarPlay.
- Go to iPhone Settings> General Settings > CarPlay, click on your car’s name, and click “Forget This Car.” Then, reconnect CarPlay afresh like a new user. (Wireless CarPlay only)
Check whether Apps are enabled on your phone (If not working at all)
Go to your Apple iPhone Settings > Screen Time > Privacy & Content Restrictions, and click on “Allowed Apps.” Then, enable CarPlay.
What if the Problems Persist?
The solutions provided above will be helpful if you are experiencing Apple CarPlay lag or Apple CarPlay delay. However, if you exhaust the options above and the problem persists, kindly contact the Apple support desk for assistance.
The Apple support team has all it takes to rectify any problems with their products. You can rest assured that this last option will certainly resolve the issue.
