How do I get Apple CarPlay on my Lexus NX?

You can get Apple CarPlay on a Lexus NX if your model year supports it; connect via a USB cable or wirelessly, and ensure your iPhone is updated. If your vehicle doesn’t support CarPlay, a dealer retrofit or upgrading to a newer NX may be required.

Compatibility and options

CarPlay support depends on the NX’s model year and market. Newer NX models (roughly 2022 and later) commonly offer CarPlay, with wireless CarPlay available on select trims. Older versions may not include CarPlay unless a dealer retrofit was installed. To confirm, check your owner’s manual, the system’s Settings > Connections menu, or contact your Lexus dealer for your VIN.

• Wired CarPlay via USB connection (most common on older or mid-range trims).


• Wireless CarPlay (available on many 2022+ NX models and higher trims).


• Dealer-offered retrofit or upgrade to enable CarPlay on supported models.

If your vehicle isn’t equipped yet, check with your Lexus dealer about retrofit eligibility, pricing, and availability for your VIN.

How to enable CarPlay on your Lexus NX

Use CarPlay by connecting your iPhone to the NX’s infotainment system. The steps differ slightly for wired vs. wireless setups depending on what your car supports.

Wired CarPlay

These steps describe using CarPlay over a cable when your NX supports wired CarPlay.

1. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS and ensure Siri is enabled.


2. Turn on your NX and ensure the infotainment system software is up to date (Settings > System > Software Update).


3. Connect your iPhone to the car’s USB port using a high-quality USB cable (use the port labeled CarPlay if present).


4. On the iPhone, a CarPlay prompt should appear; select it to start CarPlay on the NX screen.


5. If prompted, grant permission for CarPlay connections and stay on the home screen of the iPhone.

Once connected, CarPlay will launch automatically whenever you plug in the iPhone, provided the car is on and CarPlay is enabled in settings.

Wireless CarPlay

For NX models that support wireless CarPlay, follow these steps after confirming Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi are on both devices.

1. Ensure your iPhone runs the latest iOS and has Siri enabled; check that CarPlay is allowed while locked.


2. On the NX, go to Settings > Connections and enable Apple CarPlay (and Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth as needed).


3. On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars and select your NX from the list.


4. Accept any on-screen prompts to allow CarPlay to connect and, if prompted, grant permission for CarPlay in your iPhone settings.


5. CarPlay should appear on the NX display; you can then use apps, maps, messages, and more through CarPlay.

Note: Wireless CarPlay availability depends on your NX model year, trim, and software, and it may require first connecting via USB to enable the feature.

Troubleshooting CarPlay on the Lexus NX

If CarPlay won’t start or disconnects, try these common fixes.

• Verify your iPhone is compatible and CarPlay is allowed (Settings > General > CarPlay, and ensure Allow CarPlay While Locked is enabled).


• Use the correct USB port (some cars have a designated CarPlay USB port) or ensure your wireless setup is correctly configured.


• Restart the iPhone and the NX infotainment system; sometimes a simple reboot resolves connection issues.


• Update software on both the iPhone and the NX’s infotainment system; CarPlay requires current software for best compatibility.


• For wireless issues, forget the car in iPhone’s CarPlay settings and re-pair, or reset network settings if needed.

If problems persist, consult your Lexus dealer for a software update, wiring check, or potential retrofit possibilities.

What to expect and caveats

CarPlay on the Lexus NX provides access to supported iPhone apps, navigation via Apple Maps, messaging, and music controls through CarPlay. Some apps may not be available, and CarPlay performance depends on your iPhone’s processing and network, as well as car software. Always follow local laws and use hands-free controls while driving.

Summary

Bottom line: If your NX supports CarPlay, connection is straightforward—wired or wireless—depending on your model and options. If not, speak with a dealer about retrofit or consider upgrading to a newer NX that offers CarPlay. Keeping your iPhone and the vehicle’s firmware up to date is key to a reliable CarPlay experience.

How do I activate my Apple CarPlay?

To turn on Apple CarPlay, first connect your iPhone to the car, either by a USB cable or wirelessly. For a wired connection, simply plug your phone into the USB port and select "Use CarPlay" on your phone when prompted. For a wireless connection, ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on, then go to Settings on your iPhone > General > CarPlay and select your car. 
Wired connection

1. Start your car.
2. Make sure Siri is enabled on your iPhone by going to Settings > Siri & Search and ensuring "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" and "Press Side/Home Button for Siri" are on. 
3. Connect your iPhone to the car's USB port with an Apple-approved USB cable. 
4. Follow the on-screen prompts on your iPhone and car's display to complete the connection, which may include confirming a PIN, allowing contacts to sync, and selecting "Use CarPlay". 

This video demonstrates how to set up Apple CarPlay via a wired connection: 54sTechHiveYouTube · Dec 6, 2024
Wireless connection

1. Start your car.
2. Make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone. 
3. In your car's infotainment system, activate the wireless or Bluetooth pairing mode and select your vehicle from the list of available devices on your iPhone. 
4. On your iPhone, confirm the pairing request and PIN, then select "Allow" to sync contacts. 
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to "Use CarPlay" on both your iPhone and car's display to finish the setup. 

This video shows how to connect to wireless Apple CarPlay: 44sAcura CanadaYouTube · Jun 10, 2024
If CarPlay doesn't work

• Restart both your iPhone and your car. 
• Ensure Siri is enabled in your iPhone's settings. 
• Make sure you have not accidentally disabled CarPlay in your iPhone's settings. You can check this in Settings > General > CarPlay and make sure your car is listed. 
• If you have multiple phones paired with the car, disconnect other phones and try again.

Why isn't my Apple CarPlay working on my Lexus?

If Lexus CarPlay is not working, restart your iPhone and the car's infotainment system by holding the volume knob for 5-7 seconds. Ensure Siri is enabled on your iPhone and check that it's not restricted under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. For a more complete reset, you can "forget" the car from your phone's CarPlay and Bluetooth settings and then re-pair it. 
iPhone settings to check

• Siri: Enable Siri and "Hey Siri" in Settings > Siri & Search. 
• Content & Privacy Restrictions: Make sure CarPlay is allowed in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. 
• CarPlay settings: Go to Settings > General > CarPlay and ensure your car is enabled. For wireless connections, check that Auto-Join is on. 
• Airplane Mode: Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off, as it will prevent wireless connections. 
• Software Update: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. 

Connection and physical checks

• USB cable: If using a wired connection, check that the USB cable is not damaged and is a data cable, not just a charging cable. Try plugging into a different USB port in the car, as some ports are for charging only. 
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: For wireless CarPlay, ensure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on and connected to the car. Some wireless connections use a specific Wi-Fi network from the car, so check that your phone is connecting to it. 
• Case: Make sure your phone case isn't preventing the USB cable from being plugged in all the way. 

Reset and re-pairing 

• Reboot the infotainment system: Press and hold the volume knob for 5-7 seconds to reset the infotainment system without losing settings. 
• Forget the car: Delete the car from both your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and your CarPlay settings (Settings > General > CarPlay > [Your Car] > Forget This Car). 
• Re-pair: Reconnect your phone to the car, following the on-screen prompts to connect via both Bluetooth and CarPlay. 

Advanced troubleshooting

• Factory reset: As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset of your car's infotainment system. This will erase all settings, so back up any important data first. 

How to get Apple CarPlay on Lexus NX?

If you have a vehicle that supports wireless CarPlay®, press and hold the voice-command button on the steering wheel. Be sure your radio is either in Bluetooth® or wireless mode. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay®, then tap available cars, and select your vehicle.

Which Lexus NX models have Apple CarPlay?

Lexus NX Trim Level Features

	NX 250	NX 350h
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Standard	Standard
Panoramic View Monitor	Optional	Optional
Interior Trim	Stippled Black or Black Prism	Stippled Black, Black Prism, or Black Open-Pore Wood Trim