USB Carplay/Phone Charging Issues

[Halo9x]

Summary:
-USB-A connector isn't charging or allowing Carplay for iPhone 13 using Apple USB-A Cable
-Rear USB wasn't charging Phone
-Cable is confirmed to be working
-I do not have a USB-C cable to test
-Unit has been re-set multiple times using hard restart and cycling the truck's power over several days
-Headunit software up to date

Full summary: My 2022 Maverick XLT is having some odd issues regarding the USB-A plugs. I have been having intermittent issues with Carplay connecting since I bought the truck in 2024, but all the issues were solved with a quick reset of the head unit. That was, until two days ago. I was driving and the Carplay just randomly quit. It never came back. The phone won't charge either, and I am greeted with a message saying that the USB isn't recognizing what's plugged in. I checked to see if it was the cord by plugging into the rear USB-A charger and I got no charge. Thinking it was the cable, I brought it inside the house and the cable was able to charge the phone from a wall charger. Truck is not under full warranty anymore, so this will likely be a DIY fix. Any insight on what to do or try next?

There are several wireless CarPlay options on Amazon and many are inexpensive and work.

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[OWP]

Jacob. For starters the usb-a won't allow for carplay you've got to use the usb-c port for carplay or Android auto. So that may be your first issue on the USB a ports not charging your phone front or rear that could be a blown fuse in the passenger footwell area check the corresponding fuse and make sure it's not blown first.

So you'll need a usb-c to lightning or USB-c to USB-c cable for carplay or Android Auto 2 function. You also may have a bad set of USB connectors under the HVAC controls hard to tell without testing or checking fuses first.

You'll need to utilize the top front USB c port for carplay, are you sure you were using a USB-a cable to lightning for carplay? I wasn't aware the USB-a worked for car play or Android auto!

I have a USB-A to USB-C cable that works fine for AA on my Android OS phone and the truck. It also charges the phone while using AA.

I've only had my '22 Mav for a few weeks, but I use the USB A cable for Android auto, well I did for about a week, then moved to the wireless Android auto adapter but still plugged into the USB A port.

 

[JLB]

Forget the USB-A and USB-C ports for charging your phone. They are slow 5 watt ports. Many phones need more power to run car play or android auto.

Use those USB ports for a wireless adapter.

Get a 20 watt fast charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. You will be glad you did!

 

[Halo9x]

Summary:
-USB-A connector isn't charging or allowing Carplay for iPhone 13 using Apple USB-A Cable
-Rear USB wasn't charging Phone
-Cable is confirmed to be working
-I do not have a USB-C cable to test
-Unit has been re-set multiple times using hard restart and cycling the truck's power over several days
-Headunit software up to date

Full summary: My 2022 Maverick XLT is having some odd issues regarding the USB-A plugs. I have been having intermittent issues with Carplay connecting since I bought the truck in 2024, but all the issues were solved with a quick reset of the head unit. That was, until two days ago. I was driving and the Carplay just randomly quit. It never came back. The phone won't charge either, and I am greeted with a message saying that the USB isn't recognizing what's plugged in. I checked to see if it was the cord by plugging into the rear USB-A charger and I got no charge. Thinking it was the cable, I brought it inside the house and the cable was able to charge the phone from a wall charger. Truck is not under full warranty anymore, so this will likely be a DIY fix. Any insight on what to do or try next?

Check out Amazon for CarPlay and charging solutions. Wireless CarPlay works and there are numerous adapters that plug in and work for under $50! As for charging there is a rectangular charging mat that easily in the rectangular storage area underneath the temperature controls but you will also want a 90 degree USB-adapter. You’re going to need to use the other power source for charging. I have a 2023 Mav and this solution works great! https://a.co/d/5TGbNfu , Wireless Charger Car Charging... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3WM4PJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share, and WILLIZTER Short USB 3.0 Extension... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0986QR9H6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. These three items will solve your CarPlay issue.

 

[JLB]

I should have added to my post that the USB-A and USB-C ports in the truck ARE compliant with the USB standard. But the USB standard does not require fast charging capability, which is an extension of the USB standard.

Fast charging, again an option for USB, raises the voltage of the USB port at the request of the phone after plugging it in, above 5 volts and usually to either 9 or 11 volts for "fast" or "super fast" charging. Many laptop computers charge at 19 volts over the USB-C port. The USB-C interface design allows for up to 48 volts and 5 amps for a whopping 240 watts, at the requested voltage of the plugged-in device.

But again, the Ford (and every other car make I have been in) does not implement the USB voltage options and supplies only 5 volts at 1 amp for a maximum of a meager 5 watts. These ports are good at data but not good at power.

Many phones, especially Apples, are NOT really compliant with the USB standard and have difficulty charging or even operating at all with a non-fast charging USB port. They NEED the "optional" lightning charger or fast charger. They plug in but take hours to charge and sometimes don't work at all if there is any voltage drop in the cable.

In summary: a better cable will usually NOT solve your problems.

So, future-proof your phone/tablet/laptop charging with a cigarette lighter adapter that puts out high powers. This one supplies (up to) 100 watts per USB port!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/sspa/click?i...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

 

[Toddman45]

Jacob. For starters the usb-a won't allow for carplay you've got to use the usb-c port for carplay or Android auto. So that may be your first issue on the USB a ports not charging your phone front or rear that could be a blown fuse in the passenger footwell area check the corresponding fuse and make sure it's not blown first.

So you'll need a usb-c to lightning or USB-c to USB-c cable for carplay or Android Auto 2 function. You also may have a bad set of USB connectors under the HVAC controls hard to tell without testing or checking fuses first.

You'll need to utilize the top front USB c port for carplay, are you sure you were using a USB-a cable to lightning for carplay? I wasn't aware the USB-a worked for car play or Android auto!

Yeah I'll definitely eat crow here, I was totally wrong I wasn't aware the USB-A port worked for Android auto I just tested it out on my s25 ultra and I'll be damned it works. As I mentioned previously, I never used it for AA as I keep my micro USB thumb drive 128gb in there for music.

I thought only the USB-C port was for AA or CP, but yes both front USB-A&C ports do work for AA.

I guess I have forgotten my 2019 Explorer uses one of the front Usb-A ports for AA as I use a MA1 in that vehicle.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

@JLB; yeah, I wondered why my phone or tablet wasn't charging much even on a 5 hour drive! I popped in a good charge port in the cigarette lighter (power) socket there and was fine.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Forget the USB-A and USB-C ports for charging your phone. They are slow 5 watt ports. Many phones need more power to run car play or android auto.

Maybe many, but certainly not all phones.

I use wired AA through the USB-A port, and run maps, music, phone calls and other apps while charging. I've never had my phone not maintain a "full" charge using this connection. By full, I mean 80%. That's the maximum I allow the phone battery to charge, to preserve battery lifetime.

But by all means, if one's phone will not charge fully, then the alternate methods suggested should be used.

 

[JLB]

Maybe many, but certainly not all phones.

True, only a few phones need more than 5 watts. Most do not. My last Samsung did need more power. It got hot while running Android Auto, evidence to how power thirsty it was.

My current phone, a budget Samsung, is good with low power. It does not heat up running AA. But with a fast charger it fully recharges in a short drive across town. Huzzah!

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Having the basest radio in my XL, I don't believe I can actually screen-share GPS from my phone or tablet, regardless of what cable I use. And I'm not going to buy a Ford app to have GPS on the screen (mfg apps are always clunky and a decade behind the times regarding features and usability; definitely not worth PAYING for).

 

[JLB]

I'm not going to buy a Ford app to have GPS on the screen

The giid part of Android Auto is that support for maps and some other apps like Spotify on your phone are already in the XL trim package and no additional apps are needed. Just start a route on Google Maps and plug in your phone. No further action is needed. The directions are then on the display, turns are announced on the speakers, and the display just as good as a screen mirror. If you have unlimited data, the satellite view is the best feature. Satelite view without even starting a route is very useful! Just zoom out a few steps and all highways and major features like rivers are in view as if your XL Maverick has over-the-horizon radar, and in color too! So cool!

 

[Jacobrippey1]

Update: yup, bad cable. Ironically, both bad cables will charge with household power, but wouldn't charge/connect in the Trucklet.

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