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How do I know if my car has CarPlay?

If your car has Apple CarPlay, you'll be able to connect your iPhone and access a range of apps and features directly through your vehicle's infotainment system. Determining if your car is equipped with CarPlay is a straightforward process that involves checking your car's specifications and features.

Identifying CarPlay Compatibility

To check if your car has CarPlay, you can follow these steps:

Consult your car's owner's manual or the manufacturer's website. This information will typically list the available features and technologies, including whether CarPlay is supported.

Look for the CarPlay logo or branding on your car's infotainment system or dashboard. This is a clear indication that the feature is available.

Check if your car's infotainment system has a dedicated "CarPlay" or "Apple CarPlay" button or menu option. This is a direct way to access the CarPlay interface.

Attempt to connect your iPhone to your car's infotainment system. If the CarPlay interface appears, then your car is compatible.

It's important to note that not all cars are equipped with CarPlay, and the feature may be available as an optional upgrade or only on certain trim levels or model years. Consult your car's specifications to determine if CarPlay is a supported feature.

Understanding CarPlay Functionality

Once you've confirmed that your car has CarPlay, you can take advantage of its various features and capabilities. CarPlay allows you to access a range of apps and services directly through your car's infotainment system, including:

Navigation apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze

Music and audio streaming apps like Apple Music, Spotify, or Pandora

Messaging and communication apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Skype

Voice assistant integration with Siri for hands-free control

Access to your iPhone's contacts, calendar, and other apps

By using CarPlay, you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road while still accessing the features and information you need from your iPhone. This can help improve safety and reduce distractions while driving.

Do all cars support Apple CarPlay?

No, not all cars have Apple CarPlay, but it is very common and available on most new cars from major automakers as a standard or optional feature. Some car companies, like Tesla, have chosen not to support it, and some older models may not have it at all. If your car doesn't have it, you can add it with an aftermarket system or an in-dash upgrade.
You can watch this video to learn about some electric cars that have Apple CarPlay: 56sEVPediaYouTube · Sep 5, 2025
Cars with Apple CarPlay

Most major car manufacturers offer CarPlay on their new models.
It is available on over 800 car models and is becoming more common every year.
Many cars from 2021 and later offer wireless CarPlay, but some still require a wired connection.

Cars without Apple CarPlay

Some manufacturers, such as Tesla, have their own infotainment systems and do not support Apple CarPlay.
Older car models may not have it as a feature.

How to add Apple CarPlay to your car

If your car doesn't have Apple CarPlay, you can add it by installing an aftermarket system.
There are also standalone screens that can be mounted in your car and connect to your phone to provide CarPlay functionality, as shown in this YouTube video.

Can I get CarPlay on a car that doesn't have it?

If your vehicle doesn't have CarPlay, you have several options to add it. Aftermarket Head Units – One of the most common ways to get CarPlay in your vehicle is by installing an aftermarket head unit.

What year do cars start having CarPlay?

Cars began having Apple CarPlay in 2014, with a few early models like the Ferrari FF, though the feature became more widespread in the 2016-2018 model years as major manufacturers started integrating it more broadly. While some vehicles from 2014-2015 had CarPlay, it was less common until the 2016 model year when many automakers began to offer it as a standard or optional feature.

2014: The very first cars with CarPlay, such as the Ferrari FF, were released.
2015: More models were introduced, including the Kia Soul and Sonata, with CarPlay becoming more available.
2016-2018: This period saw the technology go mainstream, with many major manufacturers like General Motors, Honda, and Volkswagen rolling out CarPlay across a significant portion of their model lineups.
2017 onwards: The feature continued to expand, becoming a common option or standard on many vehicles and even making its way into some heavy-duty trucks.

How do I activate CarPlay on my car?

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

Start your car.
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.
Connect your iPhone to the car's USB port with an Apple-approved USB cable.
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

Start your car.
Make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone.
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.
On your iPhone, confirm the pairing request and PIN, then select "Allow" to sync contacts.
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.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.