How to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your car

Use CarPlay if you want to connect your iPhone. If that’s not available for your vehicle or you want to connect an iPad or iPod touch, use USB playback or Bluetooth.

Use CarPlay to connect your iPhone

Available in selected cars, CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in your car. CarPlay takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them directly on your car’s built-in display.

First, make sure CarPlay is supported in your country or region and your car supports CarPlay.

If your car supports CarPlay using the USB port, plug your iPhone into the USB port of your car or stereo. The USB port may be labelled with a CarPlay icon or a smartphone icon.

If your car supports wireless CarPlay, press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to set up CarPlay. Or make sure your car is in wireless or Bluetooth pairing mode. Then on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars and choose your car. Check the manual that came with your car for more information.

Find out more about CarPlay or how to set up and use CarPlay.

CarPlay is not supported on iPad and iPod touch.

Use Bluetooth to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

  1. Restart your device.

  2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and turn off Bluetooth. Wait for about 5 seconds, then turn Bluetooth back on.

  3. Check the manual that came with your car for more information about how to pair with a Bluetooth device. Most cars require a phone setup on the car display.

  4. If you've connected multiple phones to your car stereo, try renaming your device: go to Settings > General > About > Name, and type a new name. Then try connecting again.

  5. Update your device.

  6. Make sure your stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.

If you still can't connect, contact Apple Support.

Use USB playback to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

  1. Restart your device and your car.

  2. Make sure that your device is unlocked and on the Home screen.

  3. If possible, try to connect using another cable or USB port. Check the manual that came with your car to find out how to connect an Apple device.

  4. Check your charging port for any debris or damage. Make sure your charging cable is inserted correctly into the port.

  5. Update your device.

  6. Make sure your stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.

  7. Try playing audio from a different app. If you can't play audio from a third-party app, contact the app developer for help. If you can't play audio from an Apple app, contact Apple Support.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: