Apple Admits to BMW Wireless Charging Affecting iPhone 15 NFC Features

Highlights

• Apple warns that in-car wireless chargers in some BMW and Toyota Supra models may disable NFC on iPhone 15 series.
• Affected features include Apple Pay and digital car keys, with errors appearing in the Wallet app.
• A software update is in the pipeline, expected to arrive in a minor update after iOS 17.1.
• Apple recommends avoiding in-car wireless charging for affected devices

In an unexpected turn of events, Apple has released an internal memo that warns of an issue which can disable the NFC capabilities of its iPhone 15 series when charged with certain wireless phone chargers in recent BMW and Toyota Supra models.

Key Points

• Internal Memo Revealed: Apple Authorized Service Providers have been informed that charging the iPhone 15 series with some in-car wireless chargers can disable NFC features.
• Affected Features: Apple Pay and digital car keys may become inoperable, with error messages appearing in the Wallet app.
• Software Update Pending: Apple plans to rectify this issue in an upcoming software update, possibly iOS 17.1.1 or iOS 17.2.
• Interim Solution: Apple recommends that affected customers avoid using in-car wireless charging until a fix is issued.

The Problem in Detail

The NFC chip in an iPhone powers crucial features like Apple Pay and digital car keys.

Affected users could receive a “Could Not Set Up Apple Pay” error message, even if they’ve previously configured Apple Pay.

The issue came to light on platforms like MacRumors Forums and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, although it’s not clear how widespread this issue is.

Apple has announced that a software fix is in the works and will be released later this year.

Interestingly, this memo was released just hours after the iOS 17.1 update, indicating that a minor subsequent update will likely address the issue.

In the interim, Apple has advised users facing this problem to abstain from using the in-car wireless charging feature.

For those who are already impacted, a trip to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will be necessary.

Technicians will first attempt to restart the NFC chip using the Apple Service Toolkit 2 software. If this step fails, a hardware repair is likely to be initiated.

While Apple is working on a solution, the safest course of action is to avoid in-car wireless charging for now.

FAQs

What is the issue with the iPhone 15 series and BMW wireless charging?

Apple has released an internal memo warning that using certain in-car wireless chargers in BMW and Toyota Supra models may temporarily disable the NFC features on the iPhone 15 series.

What features are affected when the NFC is disabled?

Key features like Apple Pay and digital car keys can become inoperative. Users may encounter error messages within the Wallet app, making transactions and car access problematic.

Is Apple planning to fix this issue?

Yes, Apple has announced that a software update is on its way. This is likely to be a minor update following iOS 17.1, aiming to resolve the NFC disabling issue.

What should affected customers do?

Apple advises users who are experiencing this issue to stop using in-car wireless charging. Those affected will likely need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Store for possible hardware repair.