CarPlay 2021 Mazda CX-5 CarPlay Not Working

[ryansebiz]

I have a 2021 CX-5 Grand Touring with Premium Package. On our way home from vacation yesterday, when I plugged in the iPhone to the USB cable, the “Apple CarPlay” option on the infotainment screen would no longer appear, but the iPhone would still charge. Here’s some info:

• iPhone 13
• iOS 15.4.1
• Restarted the iPhone
• Tried two Apple-genuine USB-A to Lighting cables
• Connected the USB cables to both ports on the center console
• iPhone > Settings > General > CarPlay > Mazda > Forget This Car > Forget
• CX-5 > Settings > System Settings > System Information > Version Information > System Software 11022

The “Apple CarPlay” option will still not appear in the infotainment screen when I plug in my iPhone into either center console USB port using either Apple-genuine USB cable.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[ryansebiz]

Found the solution and posting here in case anyone else has this problem.

The issue was a bug in the Mazda Connect infotainment software that will randomly block your iPhone by setting it to “Never Enabled”. Here’s how I fixed it:

1. CX-5 Infotainment Home Screen
2. Settings
3. Connectivity Settings
4. Smartphone Connectivity Settings
5. Apple CarPlay Settings
6. Under Apple CarPlay Devices, if your iPhone got set to “Never Enabled”, select your iPhone
7. iPhone Device Connection Status
8. Always Enabled
9. Press the Home button on the center console
10. Select “Apple CarPlay”

 

[guzhogi]

Might want to see if there's a software update for your car's audio system. A 2021 model car sounds new enough where the manufacturer still pushes out updates, and old enough where it might need one, if you haven't already. If it's anything like my Prius' OEM system, or now Kenwood aftermarket head unit, it's just a matter of going to your receiver's manufacturer's website or google "<Manufacturer> <model> audio update" to download the latest version to your computer. Put the download file on a USB flash stick, plug it into the usb of your car, and it'll automagically start updating. Looks like this may be the website: https://infotainment.mazdahandsfree.com/howto-manageupdates?language=en-RW