Environment: • Device: iPhone SE (2nd Generation) • OS: iOS 26 (Internal Build/Public Release • Accessory: Official Apple Smart Battery Case Vehicle: Wired CarPlay compatible head unit Issue Description: After upgrading to iOS 26, the official Smart Battery Case no longer supports data pass-through for wired CarPlay on the iPhone SE 2. While the case still charges the phone normally, the vehicle fails to recognize the device as a CarPlay source when connected via the case's Lightning/USB-C port. Troubleshooting performed:
- Direct Connection: Connecting the iPhone directly to the car (without the case) works perfectly. CarPlay launches immediately.
- Cross-Version Check: This setup was fully functional on iOS 18. The issue started immediately after the iOS 26 update.
- Isolation: Tested with multiple certified cables and different vehicles; the failure only occurs when the Smart Battery Case is in the chain.
Analysis: This appears to be a driver or protocol regression in iOS 26 specifically affecting the data bridge of the Smart Battery Case on the SE 2 platform. Request: Is anyone else seeing this on older Touch ID devices? I have captured sysdiagnose logs during a failed connection attempt and am looking for the best way to escalate this to the engineering team for a fix in the next point release.