The iPhone 15 series has encountered challenges with certain wireless charging pads in automobiles. Now, Apple has officially recognized a wireless charging problem that specifically impacts the iPhone 15 series when used with BMW vehicles.
(Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Customers purchase iPhone 15 handsets at the Apple Store on September 22, 2023 in London, England.
Addressing Problems Affecting iPhone 15
Apple is reportedly addressing a notable problem affecting iPhone 15 devices when connected to certain modern car charging pads. Although the tech giant has not issued an official statement regarding iPhones being rendered non-functional when connected to specific in-car chargers, Phone Arena reported that they are said to be actively working on a solution.
For several months, BMW users have been expressing their concerns about the wireless charging pads in their vehicles causing iPhones to lose NFC functionality. Complaints have surfaced on various platforms, including Reddit, Twitter, and MacRumors forums.
Many users have reported experiencing difficulties accessing Apple Wallet features and utilizing their iPhones to unlock their cars while charging their iPhone 15 models on these in-car charging pads. Although Apple has remained silent regarding this matter, it appears that the company acknowledges the problem and is actively addressing it.
An internal memo from Apple, shared with authorized service providers, has disclosed that a limited number of newer BMW and Toyota Supra models may "temporarily" disrupt the NFC functionality of the iPhone 15. It's worth noting that even after users reboot their phones, the issue appears to persist.
Furthermore, users reported encountering an error message stating "Could Not Set Up Apple Pay" when attempting to access their Apple Wallet. As a precautionary measure, it is advisable for iPhone 15 users to refrain from placing their devices on a BMW charging pad until Apple releases a solution.
Assisting Affected Customers
The anticipated fix was not included in the most recent iOS 17.1 update launched on Thursday. Therefore, Mac Rumors reported that many over-the-air assistance will likely be introduced in a future update.
In the interim, Apple-certified technicians have been instructed to employ Apple Service Toolkit 2 software to attempt an NFC chip restart. Should this approach prove ineffective, a complete hardware repair may be required.
This demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing and resolving technical problems with its devices through a structured and tiered approach, prioritizing efficient solutions for users facing NFC-related concerns.
Apple has displayed a less-than-ideal history of promptly addressing device-related concerns and communicating with its users, as reported by Gizmodo. An illustrative case of this is the extended time it took for the company to acknowledge and respond to an iOS problem causing overheating in iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models.
In the initial stages, Apple attempted to attribute the issue to phone strain during startup. Nevertheless, this approach proved insufficient, prompting the eventual release of an October patch to address problems encompassing certain applications and iOS functionality.
This delay in acknowledgment and action raises questions about the company's transparency and responsiveness in dealing with user-reported problems.
Related Article: BMW Wireless Charging Causes iPhone 15 NFC Chip Overheating: Reports
