Apple Acknowledges iPhone 15 NFC Failure With BMW Wireless Chargers, Pledges Software Fix

Apple has confirmed what some iPhone 15 owners discovered the hard way: plugging their new phones into the wireless chargers built into certain BMW and Toyota Supra models can knock out the NFC chip entirely. The company disclosed the problem in an internal memo to its authorized service providers, acknowledging that the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max all face the same risk when charged through these in-car systems. The glitch temporarily disables NFC—the technology that powers Apple Pay and digital car keys—leaving affected users unable to use either feature until the phone is repaired.

When the problem occurs, users see their iPhones enter a data recovery mode with a white screen, and after the device reboots, the NFC chip stops working entirely. Some customers have reported receiving a "Could Not Set Up Apple Pay" error message in the Wallet app, even if they had already configured Apple Pay before the charging incident. There is no user-side fix; the phone requires a trip to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider to be restored to working order.

Apple has not explained why the chargers cause this failure, only that it affects a "small number" of the wireless charging systems in these vehicles. The company's recommendation for now is straightforward: stop using the in-car chargers until a software update arrives. That update will come sometime later this year, though Apple released iOS 17.1 on the same day it shared the memo with service providers, suggesting the fix will require a subsequent release like iOS 17.1.1 or iOS 17.2.

For customers who have already experienced the problem, Apple's service technicians have a two-step repair process. First, they can attempt to restart the NFC chip using a software tool called Apple Service Toolkit 2. If that does not work, the phone will need hardware repair. The exact scope of how many users are affected remains unclear—complaints have appeared on MacRumors Forums and social media, but Apple's characterization of the issue as affecting a "small number" of chargers leaves the true scale unknown.

The problem highlights a friction point in the integration between Apple's hardware and third-party automotive systems. BMW and Toyota Supra owners who bought their vehicles expecting seamless wireless charging compatibility with the latest iPhones now face a waiting period and the possibility of service center visits. Until the software fix arrives, the safest option for iPhone 15 users with these vehicles is to rely on traditional wired charging or to use the cars' charging systems only after the update is available.