Some iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air Users Experiencing Intermittent Wi-Fi Issue

[SactoGuy18]

I did have the odd disconnections on my 16 PM, but it really didn't happen that often. My 15 PM never disconnected once in a year on iOS 17, but as soon as iOS 18 was installed on my 15 PM, that’s when the disconnections started happening and carried over to the 16 PM on 18, all on the same headunit.

My iPhone 16 Plus running iOS 18.7 has not experienced any major disconnect issues with the Xfinity XB6 gateway I use (so far). 🤞 I just hope when iOS 26.0.1 arrives hopefully by the end of this month they'll correct that issue so it works fine with my iPhone 16 Plus.

 

[d0cx]

Just created an account here to chime in on the issue (already posted on a Reddit thread as well). This is a real problem. On my iPhone 17 Pro Max, Wi-Fi (and possibly Bluetooth) seems to completely disable/enable itself when unlocking. It's definitely not VPN related, as I removed all my profiles, and the associated app, and the issue persists. It also affects Wireless CarPlay (disconnects when the issue when unlocking occurs). It also affects Bluetooth because it caused my headset to disconnect as well. What a nightmare. Do note that this behavior has been happening while wearing an Apple Watch (Ultra 3, in my case). I did not noticed the disconnection issue while not wearing the Watch, but I wanna reverify this tonight while the Watch is charging.

 

[d0cx]

It is an actual bug with the N1 chip, per the CentauriFirmwareEvent log file

Very interesting find. One can only hope this is not an actual hardware fault, and just a driver/kernel bug/issue. Has anyone commented on this behavior on the iOS 26.1 beta? Haven't seen anything definitive.

 

[Meatwad]

I think it's likely CarPlay and not just wireless related....my Wired CarPlay is also having constant connection issues.

Or...maybe there's multiple bugs. That could never happen, though. Right?

 

[STOCK411]

Very interesting find. One can only hope this is not an actual hardware fault, and just a driver/kernel bug/issue. Has anyone commented on this behavior on the iOS 26.1 beta? Haven't seen anything definitive.

Some are reporting its fixed in the 26.1 beta but I cant confirm

 

[dmccombs]

Some are reporting its fixed in the 26.1 beta but I cant confirm

I think there are at least 3 types of issues being reported (both linked to iphone 17/Wifi/Bluetooth). There could be more.

1) Wifi drops when an Apple Watch is worn, Wifi gets dropped repeatedly. Some say 26.1 beta has fixed this issue for them.

2) Some folks wifi works perfectly except with Carplay. It doesn't appear that 26.1 beta fixes this issue.

3) Some folks reports issues with Bluetooth dropping connections (i.e. airpods). It doesn't sound like 26.1 resolves this issue.

Hopefully 26.0.1 is an update that fixes all these issues.

 

[d0cx]

I took my AWU3 off and put it on its charger around an hour ago. During this time, I've unlocked my 17PM multiple times, and random time intervals, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth stayed connected. No issues, no dropouts, no disable/reenable. So this all correlates strictly to the combination of having the AW on your wrist and unlocked, then unlocking 17PM causes the Wi-Fi issues. At the very least, this tells me that this isn't a hardware issue, but a software/driver/kernel issue causing a crash on the network bits that control the N1 hardware under this specific condition, basically what STOCK411 posted earlier.

 

[Cryptic0ne]

Back on my 16 Pro Max with IOS 26 and the carplay issues are gone. Small sample size but it was really bad before. Im going to test it in my commute tomorrow but it really seems like its the 17 Pro 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[dr_white]

I think there are at least 3 types of issues being reported (both linked to iphone 17/Wifi/Bluetooth). There could be more.

1) Wifi drops when an Apple Watch is worn, Wifi gets dropped repeatedly. Some say 26.1 beta has fixed this issue for them.

2) Some folks wifi works perfectly except with Carplay. It doesn't appear that 26.1 beta fixes this issue.

3) Some folks reports issues with Bluetooth dropping connections (i.e. airpods). It doesn't sound like 26.1 resolves this issue.

Hopefully 26.0.1 is an update that fixes all these issues.

Also a horrible experience for devices using meshed WiFi. iPhone should seamlessly roam from one to another, but it will stick to the first one it connected to.

 

[MacGarage]

Back on my 16 Pro Max with IOS 26 and the carplay issues are gone. Small sample size but it was really bad before. Im going to test it in my commute tomorrow but it really seems like its the 17 Pro 🤷🏼‍♂️

Same for me with my 14 Pro with iOS 26.

Wireless CarPlay works perfectly with two vehicles with the 14 Pro, yet both vehicles drop CarPlay constantly with the new 17 Pro.

My issue is that regardless of whether I wear an Apple Watch or not, or if the Apple Watch's Bluetooth is turned off or in Airplane Mode, it makes no difference. It is strictly a 17 Pro wireless issue with CarPlay for me.

 

[dmccombs]

Same for me with my 14 Pro with iOS 26.

Wireless CarPlay works perfectly with two vehicles with the 14 Pro, yet both vehicles drop CarPlay constantly with the new 17 Pro.

My issue is that regardless of whether I wear an Apple Watch or not, or if the Apple Watch's Bluetooth is turned off or in Airplane Mode, it makes no difference. It is strictly a 17 Pro wireless issue with CarPlay for me.

Ditto, same here. The only time I have an issue is Wireless Carplay restarting repeatedly. Otherwise wifi and bluetooth connections are great. Wired Carplay also works fine.

I tried removing the watch, and removing all VPN setups. I removed carplay from the phone and the phone from the carplay setup. No change.

Most iphone 17 users don't have any connectivity problems. It would be interesting to know why our phones have an issue, while most don't. I hope it can be fixed soon via a software update.

I'd return my phone for a different one, if I thought we were the victim of a bad batch of hardware. I don't think this is the case though. It is tempting to try at this point since Apple isn't telling us anything or giving us an ETA.

 

[Cryptic0ne]

Same for me with my 14 Pro with iOS 26.

Wireless CarPlay works perfectly with two vehicles with the 14 Pro, yet both vehicles drop CarPlay constantly with the new 17 Pro.

My issue is that regardless of whether I wear an Apple Watch or not, or if the Apple Watch's Bluetooth is turned off or in Airplane Mode, it makes no difference. It is strictly a 17 Pro wireless issue with CarPlay for me.

Same!

 

[Cryptic0ne]

Ditto, same here. The only time I have an issue is Wireless Carplay restarting repeatedly. Otherwise wifi and bluetooth connections are great. Wired Carplay also works fine.

I tried removing the watch, and removing all VPN setups. I removed carplay from the phone and the phone from the carplay setup. No change.

Most iphone 17 users don't have any connectivity problems. It would be interesting to know why our phones have an issue, while most don't. I hope it can be fixed soon via a software update.

I'd return my phone for a different one, if I thought we were the victim of a bad batch of hardware. I don't think this is the case though. It is tempting to try at this point since Apple isn't telling us anything or giving us an ETA.

At this point I’m waiting until my return window is almost up and if Apple hasn’t fixed it then back it goes!

 

[mrr]

Yes. I have new WiFi Carplay issues. I have a ‘22 Ioniq 5 and had been using a CarLinkIt 3.0 WiFi adapter for years using an iPhone 15/16 without any problem.

Just upgraded to an iPhone 17 Pro Max with iOS 26 and have been getting random disconnects every few minutes.

Today I just gave up and plugged in to the USB directly. Works as normal with USB.

 

[jjm3]

Oh thank goodness, I thought I had a lemon, or was going crazy. I'm having this exact issue.

 

[jz0309]

I think there are at least 3 types of issues being reported (both linked to iphone 17/Wifi/Bluetooth). There could be more.

1) Wifi drops when an Apple Watch is worn, Wifi gets dropped repeatedly. Some say 26.1 beta has fixed this issue for them.

2) Some folks wifi works perfectly except with Carplay. It doesn't appear that 26.1 beta fixes this issue.

3) Some folks reports issues with Bluetooth dropping connections (i.e. airpods). It doesn't sound like 26.1 resolves this issue.

Hopefully 26.0.1 is an update that fixes all these issues.

As I am reading this thread, wearing my U2 running watchOS 26, I can repeat the WiFi drop 3 times in a row.
Took the watch off, no issue.
Then I put my S7 running watchOS 18.6 on, and cannot recreate WiFi drops.
Just totally bizarre..

I feel like others do, if Apple doesn't address this before the return window closes, back to Apple it goes.

 

[jz0309]

Yes. I have now have new WiFi Carplay issues. I have a ‘22 Ioniq 5 and had been using a CarLinkIt 3.0 WiFi adapter for years using an iPhone 15/16 without any problem.

Just upgraded to an iPhone 17 Pro Max with iOS 26 and have been getting random disconnects every few minutes.

Today I just gave up and plugged in to the USB directly. Works as normal with USB.

24 ioniq 5 here, I have a wireless CarPlay adapter (can't remember the brand but it's not carlino) and thus far have no CarPlay issues, WiFi drops at home en masse

 

[MacGarage]

As I am reading this thread, wearing my U2 running watchOS 26, I can repeat the WiFi drop 3 times in a row.
Took the watch off, no issue.
Then I put my S7 running watchOS 18.6 on, and cannot recreate WiFi drops.
Just totally bizarre..

I feel like others do, if Apple doesn't address this before the return window closes, back to Apple it goes.

I am in the same boat if there is no fix at the end of the return window. I would really hate to do it, though. The lack of wireless CarPlay, while having a perfectly working 14 Pro, tends to lead me to want to return my phone and wait. I have submitted a feedback bug. Hopefully, they will recognize the issue and release the fix.

 

[JAH_73]

I had many problems connecting the new phone ( iphone 17 ) to my car to use car play. didnt work at all at first, after many attempts it connected.

main issue is my ultra 2 won't stay connected to the phone. initial setup while transferring from 15 to 17 didnt work, in the end i set up the watch as completly new. that worked half a day, and now it still shows as "not connected" under bluetooth on the phone. but in find me etc it says the watch is hooked up to the phone. very annoying...

update on this:
the phone now connects to carplay. i did erase all connects again and did a fresh setup once more, and this time no error messages. so far its working.

as for the watch problem:
After force restarting the Ultra2 watch (press crown and side button until logo appears) and the iphone 17 (press up/Down volume once each and then hold the on/off until the apple logo appears) the issues is gone.
the watch connected to the phone right away and has been like that now for 3 days...
Mentioning in case someone has similar probs and might wanna give this a try.

 

[Cryptic0ne]

Not looking great for my new 17 Pro Max....now that im back on my 16 Pro Max i am realizing i really like the Titanium feel better than the new aluminum. and so far rock solid in Carplay...Well Apple? We're waiting? 🤣

 

[X3150]

Im on a 17 Pro and my home wifi sometimes stalls? As if I need to restart my router.

 

[Cryptic0ne]

Well out goes that theory....my 16 Pro Max started doing the same thing with wireless Carplay. Maybe its just IOS 26 being janky?

 

[AV11]

17Pro. iOS 26.

Wireless CarPlay connects when I start my car & stays connected if I leave CarPlay on the touchscreen & only use CarPlay features/apps (maps, Spotify, etc.).

Once I “leave” CarPlay by selecting another vehicle function/feature like Sirius/XM & then return to CarPlay, CarPlay disconnects & then takes a few seconds to reconnect.

Never saw this behavior on my prior 16 Pro & iOS 26 (official release - never used any betas).

Not seeing any WiFi issues on other networks; only on CarPlay & only in this vehicle.

While my case might not be the exact same as others’, there is clearly some issue here. Hope Apple is aware & releases a fix.

 

[Mario Loco]

I turned off the settings to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch and also to unlock Apple Watch with iPhone and the problem seems to have gone away. I am unable to recreate the WiFi drop. Using ultra 3 with 17 pro max. Car okay WiFi and Bluetooth constantly disconnected. Will report back in a few hours.

 

[Gypsy36]

Gawd, I am having all the issues. Floating things in Safari, my About tells me I am on ios 26 but my phone is telling me to update to 26 and now CarPlay is dropping every ten minutes or so. My phone is also connecting to the 3G when I go into the middle of my office and refusing to transfer to 5G when I want into the outer offices.I anall so cannot have a phone conversation when the phone is connected to wifi. Also, safari jitters like a Jeep CJ.

What a mess!