CarPlay app not receiving data updates when iPhone screen is locked

Question

Created Sep ’25

Replies 3

Boosts 2

Participants 3

We are building a CarPlay app and have run into an issue with data updates.

When the app is running on the CarPlay display and the iPhone screen is locked, no data updates are shown on the CarPlay screen. As soon as the phone is unlocked, the data updates appear instantly on the CarPlay display.

Has anyone encountered this behavior before? Is there a specific setting, entitlement, or background mode we need to enable in order to ensure the CarPlay app continues to receive and display data while the iPhone is locked?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Answered by CarExperienceDev in 862836022

Thank you for this discussion, @AhmedSeerefine and @Marawan.

Please try testing your Live Activity experience again in iOS 26.1 Beta 4.

Boost

Answer 1

Marawan OP

Sep ’25

I'm facing this issue with my app's Live Activity on CarPlay (when using a timer). Is this the same issue you're having? Or is yours a full CarPlay app

0

Answer 2

AhmedSeerefine OP

Sep ’25

Precisely. We addressed this issue by using an alternative library, react-native-background-timer.

We observed that the JavaScript timer tends to freeze the app when it is in suspended mode.

I hope this solution proves helpful for your implementation.

0

Answer 3

CarExperienceDev OP

3d

Recommended

Thank you for this discussion, @AhmedSeerefine and @Marawan.

Please try testing your Live Activity experience again in iOS 26.1 Beta 4.

1