Apple has acknowledged a firmware and hardware interaction issue affecting NFC chips in the iPhone 15 family, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, when those phones are placed on built-in wireless charging pads in certain vehicles. The admission comes from notes circulated on Apple’s corporate mailing list and cited by The MacRumors post, which adds context to ongoing consumer concerns about compatibility with car systems. In practice, some users reported that the phones would not communicate reliably with the vehicle’s wireless charging surface, a fault that could interfere with how the device initializes or maintains a connection during charging and data transmission. (Attribution: Apple)
Apple’s letter points to late-model BMW models and certain Toyota Supra configurations as examples where the NFC chip interaction issue has been observed. The company describes the malfunction as temporary, but it does not provide a detailed technical cause in the message. The ambiguity around the root cause leaves owners of these vehicles in a wait-and-see position, hoping for a software-level fix that can restore stable NFC and wireless charging behavior without requiring hardware replacements. (Attribution: Apple)
Looking ahead, Apple has stated an intent to address the problem through a software update slated for release by the end of 2023. Until such a patch is available, Apple advises owners of the affected vehicle models to avoid relying on iPhone devices within the iPhone 15 series for built-in wireless charging interactions. The guidance reflects a precautionary approach designed to minimize user disruption while compatibility work proceeds in the background. (Attribution: Apple)
For users who have already encountered this issue, Apple recommends contacting an authorized service center. Trained technicians may attempt to reset or reboot the NFC chip using specialized tools, such as a Service Toolkit 2, in a controlled service environment. If this software or hardware reset does not resolve the problem, the device may require a more thorough inspection or repair. The emphasis remains on professional handling to preserve device integrity and ensure continued security and performance. (Attribution: Apple)
Beyond the immediate symptoms, this situation touches broader questions about cross-device interoperability in modern vehicles. NFC, short for near-field communication, plays a role in establishing quick, secure interactions between phones and car systems. While many users expect seamless handoffs between a phone and a vehicle, occasional interoperability gaps like this remind consumers that hardware and software updates must align across multiple ecosystems. Carmakers and device manufacturers periodically release compatibility advisories as new phone generations hit the market, and owners are encouraged to monitor official notices from both Apple and their vehicle manufacturers for guidance. (Attribution: Apple)
In the broader context of mobile charging technology, this incident underscores the importance of ensuring that firmware updates address edge cases without causing unintended side effects. It also highlights the value of service channels that can diagnose and remediate hardware-level issues efficiently. For car owners whose vehicles are affected, proactive engagement with authorized service providers remains the most reliable path to restoring full functionality, while awaiting the promised software improvements. (Attribution: Apple)
Finally, the report notes a prior, unrelated remark about a Google Android app creating symptoms of a virus, which appears out of place in the current narrative. This reference does not reflect the core topic and is not central to the NFC and wireless charging discussion, which remains anchored in Apple’s device behavior, vehicle compatibility, and official remediation steps. (Attribution: Apple)