Reports suggest that some iPhone 15 owners are experiencing NFC chip faults and eventual failure when using wireless charging pads in BMW vehicles. The issue has been reported by BMW owners, particularly those with the titanium iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models featuring the A17 Pro chip.
Limited to BMW Owners, But Potential Wider Implications
While this problem has been observed primarily in BMW vehicles, it could potentially be a concern with other wireless charging surfaces. Apple has not yet identified the root cause of the issue.
Error Messages and NFC Chip Failures Reported
Affected users have received an error message in the Wallet app, stating “Could Not Set Up Apple Pay.” In some cases, the NFC chip has failed, leading to the need for a replacement phone.
Affected iPhone Models
The primary models affected so far are the titanium iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, but there are reports suggesting that the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus may also face similar problems when wirelessly charged via BMW’s surface charging system.
Implications of NFC Chip Failure
A failed NFC (Near-field Communication) chip can result in users being unable to use Apple Pay, access cards or tickets saved in Apple Wallet, and even utilize a vehicle’s digital car key.
Apple and BMW Yet to Address the Issue
As of now, neither Apple nor BMW has issued a statement addressing this issue or its potential causes.
Additional Issue with iPhone 15 Pro Overheating
Some iPhone 15 Pro owners have reported overheating issues, which Apple has acknowledged. The causes include increased background activity during the first few days after setup, an unspecified bug in iOS 17, and certain third-party apps overloading the system.
Apple’s Response and Upcoming Software Update
Apple is preparing a software update to address the iPhone 15 Pro overheating issue. However, no specific solution has been provided yet for the NFC chip problems related to BMW wireless charging.
Caution with Charging via BMW’s Wireless Technology
Given the reported issues, it is advisable to exercise caution when wirelessly charging your iPhone via BMW’s wireless technology until Apple and BMW resolve the problem.
