You can stream music from Apple Music on your iPhone via CarPlay. But sometimes, Apple Music is not working on CarPlay. Here are some things you can do to solve the issue.
Restart your iPhone
It sounds simple, but you should restart your iPhone whenever Apple Music is not working on CarPlay. Since it won’t take much of your time, you should do this first.
I’ve seen many people having trouble with Apple Music on CarPlay and the solution that worked for them is simply restarting their phones. Restarts work like magic on some devices, after all.
Allow Apple Music access to Mobile Data
If Apple Music is not working on CarPlay, you may have not given Apple Music access to your mobile data. You will get the “network problem getting Apple Music” message.
Although mobile data is enabled on the phone, you should also give Apple Music access to your mobile data by navigating to Settings > Music.
You should see the option to allow Apple Music access to your mobile data. Make sure the toggle is green, which should allow Apple Music to use mobile data for streaming.
Check your connection to your CarPlay stereo
If you have a wireless connection, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on your iPhone under Settings > Bluetooth. Then, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, and make sure it’s also turned on.
Lastly, tap on the CarPlay network, and check that Auto-Join is turned on. If CarPlay doesn’t activate automatically, look for the CarPlay logo on your car’s display and select it.
If you have a wired connection, make sure that your USB cable is not damaged. You can also try connecting again with a different USB cable to a different USB port if you have one.
Make sure that CarPlay isn’t restricted on your phone
When Apple Music is not working on CarPlay, make sure that CarPlay isn’t restricted on your phone. A telltale sign is when your iPhone isn’t detected by CarPlay.
Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If Content & Privacy Restrictions are on, tap Allowed Apps, and make sure that CarPlay is enabled.
It’s a simple thing to do, but I’ve seen many people restrict the CarPlay app on their phones. As a result, Apple Music won’t play songs on CarPlay. Make sure to check yours.
Make sure Siri is turned on
Apple CarPlay won’t work if Siri is not enabled, so make sure Siri is turned on.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down to the fourth section and select Siri & Search. At the top, toggle ON Listen for “Hey Siri” and Press Side Button for Siri.
If your vehicle supports CarPlay or Siri Eyes Free, hold down the voice-command button on your steering wheel while you make your request, like playing a song on Apple Music.
Forget your car and set up CarPlay again
Another effective troubleshooting tip is to disable and then re-enable CarPlay from your phone. You’ll need to open your phone and navigate to Settings > General > CarPlay.
The CarPlay menu shows the vehicles synced to your phone. To disconnect from a vehicle, tap on the option you’d like to forget. Selecting a vehicle takes you to the vehicle menu.
In the vehicle menu, tap Forget This Car.
Confirm that you want to forget the vehicle by tapping Forget on the pop-up menu. This option allows you to forget a single car while allowing your iPhone to connect to other cars.
According to Apple, you can always forget your car and set up CarPlay again whenever there is an issue with the app. Once your car is forgotten, you can set it up again. Here’s how:
If your car supports CarPlay both wirelessly and with a USB cable, plug your iPhone into the car’s USB port. Your iPhone will give you an alert and offer to connect you wirelessly to your car.
If your car only supports CarPlay with a USB cable, plug your iPhone into the car’s USB port. I recommend using an Apple Lightning to USB cable for the best connection possible.
However, if your car only supports wireless CarPlay, press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel. Make sure that your stereo is in wireless or Bluetooth mode.
Then on your iPhone, navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi, and make sure that Wi-Fi is turned on. Tap the CarPlay network, and check that Auto-Join is turned on.
And lastly, navigate to Settings > General > CarPlay, and select your car.
Make sure your car’s stereo is using the latest firmware
Last but not least, make sure that your CarPlay stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. You should check your car’s manual for more information.
A firmware update improves the functionality of your car stereo. With the ever-changing advances in technology, it also helps the stereo remain compatible with newer apps.
In addition to adding new features to your device, a firmware update can provide fixes to any performance issues that may occur, like the Apple Music app not working or playing.
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