If your Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connection keeps crashing in the same parts of Boston, you're not alone. Drivers across the city report frustrating signal failures and GPS dropouts — especially in areas near the Charles River, Harvard's athletic fields, and Fenway.
Where CarPlay and Android Auto Fail in Boston
According to user reports and tech experts, there are at least four well-known CarPlay dead zones in Boston:
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Storrow Drive by Harvard's Athletic Fields
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Storrow Drive Back Bay exit
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Park Drive bridge over the Fenway MBTA station
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Near the Hatch Shell and across Soldier's Field by WBZ
Drivers say their CarPlay or Android Auto dashboard units disconnect like clockwork when passing through these areas. Some even claim it’s been happening for years, across multiple phones and vehicles.
“My wife thought I was crazy… but it's the same every time. New phones, different cars, still happens,” reported Reddit user vr6_kid.
Why Does CarPlay Keep Disconnecting in These Areas?
Most CarPlay and Android Auto systems rely on a wireless connection to your smartphone, not the car’s onboard GPS. That means any radio interference can cause a complete disconnect — affecting navigation, music, and other app functions.
Possible Causes of Signal Interference:
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Microwave links possibly operated by nearby institutions like Harvard or MIT
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WBZ antenna dishes along Soldier's Field Road
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Devices transmitting on the 2.4GHz band, the same frequency used by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections in your car
"Since these are unlicensed radio bands, it's not unusual for interference to occur,” explains Michele Polese, assistant research professor at Northeastern University’s Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things.
Can You Avoid CarPlay Dropouts in Boston?
Avoiding these CarPlay problem zones may not always be practical, but awareness is key. If you're using GPS on Storrow Drive, near Fenway, or by Soldier's Field Road, be prepared for a potential disconnect.
Interestingly, some drivers have no issues at all. One Android Auto user drove loops around the problem spots in a 2007 Ford Focus and reported zero signal loss. Whether it was Samsung hardware, a cheap aftermarket display, or the metal shielding of the car, something blocked the interference.
TL;DR – Boston's CarPlay and Android Auto Trouble Spots
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Top locations where CarPlay/Android Auto often fail: Storrow Drive, Fenway, Soldier's Field Road
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Likely cause: Radio interference on the 2.4GHz frequency
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Affected systems: Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto units
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Solution: None yet — but knowing the dead zones helps see our map of Boston dead cell zones.
