1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Entertainment System didn't recognize iPhone..too cold?

Discussion in 'Prius c Audio and Electronics' started by trojanrabbit, Nov 9, 2017.

  1. trojanrabbit

    trojanrabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    24
    9
    0
    Location:
    Millis, MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    This morning my 2016 Prius c 2 would not recognize my iPhone 6 through the USB port, while it connected via Bluetooth. It wouldn't charge the iPhone even though the USB port appeared to have power (plugged a USB port tester into the port). The phone charged through a cig lighter adapter using the same phone cord.

    This is the first sub-freezing morning I've had with the Prius (it's a 2016 holdover that I bought in July), but the car had been running for probably 10 minutes or so before I plugged the iPhone in, so the cabin temperature was around 60.

    Got to work (a nearly 1 hour drive) and for chuckles I shut the car off then turned the key on again. It connected to the iPhone and started charging normally. I'd usually blame any connection issues on the iPhone, but this seems more like a car issue.

    Anyone else have issues with the USB port in cold weather?
     
  2. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    3,339
    1,149
    40
    Location:
    Cumming, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Try troubleshooting a little. Turn the car off again, then back on, now plug the phone in.
    See if it works with the phone plugged in and then turning the car on.

    Iphone's are notorious for requiring a certain amount of power to charge... just like the Galaxy Notes.
     
    trojanrabbit likes this.
  3. pilotgrrl

    pilotgrrl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    891
    1,796
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoan in TX
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I can't speak to iPhones specifically, but I suspect they may need more power than what a standard car USB port provides.

    Samsung Galaxy devices with USB-C sockets, and other Android phones such as Google Nexus & Pixel, LG V20 & V30, et al are Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 or higher Certified.

    You will need to buy the correct adapter to charge your device in your car. I've used Anker, Aukey, and Choetech adapters, all of which have worked well.

    Disclaimer: My current job is technical support for Android phones. Names have been eliminated to protect myself.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Prodigyplace and trojanrabbit like this.
  4. trojanrabbit

    trojanrabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    24
    9
    0
    Location:
    Millis, MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    What I plan on doing the next cold morning (it was 42 degrees this morning, no problems, supposed to be in the teens tomorrow) is to see if things are OK, if not do the following.

    Try the wife's iPhone (same model as mine but has not been updated to iOS11 yet and has never been connected to the audio system).
    Try my ancient iPod Touch (so old it's stuck at iOS 6)
    Try a USB memory stick with mp3 files on it to see if it can be read (never done this before, should try tonight).

    What I should do at lunch today is monitor what the charging current to the iPhone is. Keep in mind this has worked pretty much without issues since I got the car in July.....until I got iOS 11.....it took multiple reboots of the phone to get playlists to work on the audio system again - or even the pause/play button.
     
  5. trojanrabbit

    trojanrabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    24
    9
    0
    Location:
    Millis, MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I do have an adapter in the 12volt socket (I think it's Anker) that has 2 ports, 1 Apple, 1 other and that works fine with my phone. I started using Bluetooth but the GPS app (Waze) insisted on treating any audio it produced as a phone call, and I wanted to see album art.
     
  6. trojanrabbit

    trojanrabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    24
    9
    0
    Location:
    Millis, MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Plugged the USB analyzer into the port during lunch. It appears it's capable of around 1A. No problems with either my iPhone or my iPad (which has never been connected before).
     
  7. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2013
    495
    214
    0
    Location:
    ca
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    It may be capable of 1A, but will it always...no.

    That usb port was never meant for charging devices anyway, it's supposed to be for usb storage devices audio playback on the head unit

    there I think I found your problem

    You got a iphone...can't you just spend like $10 for a decent 12v adapter and problem solved
     
  8. trojanrabbit

    trojanrabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    24
    9
    0
    Location:
    Millis, MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    According to page 306 of my manual, it states that the head unit is compatible with iPhones up to the 5. So that tells me it's capable of charging an iPhone. Even if it wasn't the phone should say "Not Charging". It's possible that it isn't compatible with an iPhone 6, but I would expect it not to work at all.

    Anyway.

    Nice cold 18 degree morning on Saturday. Plugged the phone in and....no problems. So maybe it's a one time thing.
     
    #8 trojanrabbit, Nov 13, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2017
  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    3,339
    1,149
    40
    Location:
    Cumming, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Compatible to a head unit = plays music.
     
  10. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2013
    495
    214
    0
    Location:
    ca
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I have some iPhone owner "it just works" jokes, but I'll hold them back.

    You gotta get it through that the port is not for charging AND cold temperatures affect it a lot as well... Also try using BT... I hear that's the direction for Apple since the 7
     
  11. trojanrabbit

    trojanrabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2017
    24
    9
    0
    Location:
    Millis, MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I think I'll just blame the problems on my iPhone and an updating iOS. It was -7F this morning and had no problems connecting to the head unit.