[iOS] Car Mode Not Automatically Starting

[happy_jack]

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

iPhone 14 Pro

Operating System

iOS 16.3.1

My Question or Issue

I know Car Mode is not widely supported across all mobile software (i.e. Android), but I have previously used Car Mode on iOS with no issues until the last few months. 

My current issue is Car Mode will not automatically start even though the option is selected in my settings. In my iOS Bluetooth settings, my car is indicated as a Car Stereo and successfully launches the Driving Focus Mode if I have it set up. However, I feel Spotify may think it is a generic BT device and only displays the BT logo, not a car symbol as reflected in the rest of my system. Since there is no option the manually enable Car Mode, I am at the mercy of automatic selection. 

Troubleshooting has been a handful. Dozens of app reinstalls after following official instructions for clean installs have not changed the interaction of the app with my car. Forgetting BT devices from both the car and phone have failed to bring up the Car Mode interface, either the legacy with large buttons or the updated view with slightly more controls. Phone restarts and car resets have only been followed by heavy sighs. 

My phone's OS and app are up to date (as of 09 March 2023)

Let me know what y’all think, but I have not seen this issue reported for iOS and I have scoured the Help page for answers. I also figured an app update would have rolled out fixing this issue for me, but since it’s been a few months, I’m losing a little hope. Thanks. 

[Prague]

Hiya Happy Jack 😄 so if you've already followed official instructions for a clean install of the app and ensured that your phone's OS and app are up to date, it's possible that the issue may be with your car's Bluetooth settings or compatibility. Here are some additional troubleshooting steps you should give the ol' college try:

1. Check your car's Bluetooth settings: Make sure that your car's Bluetooth settings are configured properly and that your phone is connected to the car stereo. You may need to consult your car's manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance with this.

2. Check for iOS updates: Even if your phone's OS is up to date, it's possible that a newer update may have been released that includes a fix for the Car Mode issue. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for any available updates.

3. Reset your phone's network settings: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset all network settings, including Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth settings. Note that you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and reconnect to Bluetooth devices after performing this reset.

Overall, it's important to note that Car Mode is not a widely supported feature on iOS, so it's possible that the issue may not be easily resolved. However, by trying the above troubleshooting steps and reaching out to Apple support, you may be able to find a solution or at least get more information on the issue.

Keep me PUPdated with your results,

-Prague the Dog