CarPlay and Android Auto · Connect guide
How to connect your phone to your car
Sources checked · how we check
If your car supports it, CarPlay (iPhone) or Android Auto (Android) puts maps, music and messages on the car's display. Most cars start with a USB cable; some also connect wirelessly. Without either, pair the phone over Bluetooth using the car's own menu.
01 · Before you start
Check these first
- Check that your car, and your country or region, support CarPlay or Android Auto. Your car maker can confirm.
- Start the car. For CarPlay, make sure Siri is on.
- Use a good-quality USB cable; for CarPlay, Apple recommends an Apple USB cable.
02 · Connect
Step by step, by device
iPhone: CarPlay with a USB cable
Start car → plug iPhone into the CarPlay USB port
- Plug your iPhone into the car's USB port. It may be marked with a CarPlay or smartphone icon.
- If your car also supports wireless CarPlay, your iPhone offers to connect wirelessly next time.
- If CarPlay Home doesn't appear, select the CarPlay logo on the car's display.
iPhone: wireless-only CarPlay
Hold voice button → Settings → Wi-Fi → CarPlay network → Settings → General → CarPlay
- Press and hold the voice command button on the steering wheel, and put the stereo in wireless or Bluetooth mode.
- On the iPhone, go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the CarPlay network and check Auto-Join is on.
- Go to Settings → General → CarPlay and select your car.
Android: Android Auto with a USB cable
Plug phone into the car's USB port → follow on-screen setup
- Plug a USB cable into the car's USB port and the other end into your phone.
- Follow the instructions on the phone and car display. You may be asked to update Android Auto first.
Android Auto is built into the phone; there's no separate app to download.
Source: Google: set up Android Auto
Android: wireless Android Auto
Pair by Bluetooth once → Android Auto starts automatically
- Open the phone's Bluetooth settings, then press and hold the steering wheel's voice command button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to pair over Bluetooth. Keep Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Location on.
- Android Auto should start within a few seconds; if not, tap the Android Auto icon on the car display.
Source: Google: set up Android Auto
Any phone: Bluetooth only
Car's Bluetooth menu → pair from your phone's Bluetooth settings
- Follow your car's manual to start pairing on the car's display.
- On an iPhone, the phone to pick appears in Settings → Bluetooth. If several phones are paired to the car, rename yours in Settings → General → About → Name so you can tell it apart.
If it still won't connect
Restart the phone, turn Bluetooth off for about five seconds and on again, and try a different cable or USB port. Updating the phone and the car stereo's software fixes many connection problems.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use CarPlay wirelessly?
Only if your car supports wireless CarPlay. Cars that support both connect by USB first, then offer wireless next time.
Do I need to download Android Auto?
No. Google says Android Auto is built into the phone.