CarPlay not working or not connecting: causes and solutions

You get in the car, connect your iPhone and… nothing. CarPlay doesn't appear, disconnects after a few minutes or the screen stays black. It's frustrating, but in most cases the problem lies in an iPhone setting, the cable or the wireless connection, and it can be solved in a few minutes without touching the installation.

We've gathered the most common causes we see on Android radios and CarPlay interfaces, ordered from the simplest to the most technical, so you can rule them out one by one.

1. Check that CarPlay is enabled on the iPhone

It's the number one cause and the easiest to overlook:

• Go to Settings → General → CarPlay and check that your car appears and hasn't been set to "Forget This Car".
• In Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allowed Apps, CarPlay must be enabled. If you use Screen Time, this option blocks CarPlay without warning.
• Siri must be enabled: CarPlay needs it to work.
• With the iPhone locked, some cars ask you to allow CarPlay while locked the first time. Accept the prompt on screen.

2. If you use wired CarPlay: check the cable and the port

With wired CarPlay, the culprit is usually the cable itself:

1. Use an original or MFi-certified cable. Cheap cables charge, but don't always transmit data reliably.
2. Try another cable before assuming anything is broken: cables get damaged inside with use.
3. Clean the iPhone's Lightning or USB-C port. Pocket lint stops the connector from going all the way in.
4. Use the right USB port on the radio. On many radios only one of the USB ports supports CarPlay; the other is for charging or memory sticks.
5. Avoid extension cables and intermediate adapters if they're not necessary.

3. If you use wireless CarPlay: Bluetooth and WiFi

Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth to pair and WiFi to transmit the image and sound. If either fails, it won't connect:

• Leave Bluetooth and WiFi switched on on the iPhone (even if you're not connected to any network).
• Delete the pairing on the iPhone and on the radio, and pair again from scratch.
• If your phone is connected to another Bluetooth device in the car (an old hands-free kit, for example), disconnect it.
• Turn off VPN and Low Power Mode if you notice disconnections.
• If it drops out now and then, try with a cable: that way you'll know if the problem is the wireless connection. We explain the differences in Wired vs wireless CarPlay.

4. Restart everything in the right order

1. Switch off the car and open the driver's door so the radio shuts down completely.
2. Restart the iPhone.
3. Start the car, wait for the radio to fully load and open the radio's CarPlay app.
4. Connect the iPhone (by cable or wirelessly) and accept the prompts on screen.

Many Android radios have their own app for CarPlay and Android Auto: check that it's open and, if the radio allows it, that it's up to date.

5. iOS updates

After an iOS update, CarPlay may stop connecting for a few days until the radio's app adapts. Keep your iPhone updated to the latest version and, if the problem started right after updating, ask our support whether there's an update available for your radio.

6. Installation problems

If none of the above works, there may be something in the installation:

• The radio's USB cable has come loose or got pinched when fitting the unit.
• The radio's WiFi/Bluetooth antenna was left disconnected, which affects wireless mode.
• On interfaces that keep the original screen, a connector behind the screen may not be seated properly.

In these cases, write to us on WhatsApp with a photo or video of the problem and we'll guide you. If you have Android instead of an iPhone, see the guide Android Auto not working or not connecting.

Your car doesn't have CarPlay? Radio or interface

If you're reading this because your car doesn't have CarPlay as standard, there are two ways to go:

• Radio screen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto: replaces the original radio with an Android screen with CarPlay, GPS, Bluetooth and steering wheel controls.
• CarPlay interface: keeps the car's original screen and adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to it.

We explain which one suits you in Full Android screen vs CarPlay interface.

Frequently asked questions

Why does CarPlay disconnect on its own?

With a cable, it's almost always the cable or a dirty port. Wirelessly, it's usually Bluetooth paired with another device, Low Power Mode or a VPN.

Does CarPlay work without mobile data?

CarPlay connects without data, but apps such as real-time maps, Spotify or voice messages need a data connection on the iPhone.

The iPhone charges but CarPlay doesn't appear, what's wrong?

Almost always the cable doesn't transmit data or you're using the charge-only USB port. Try an original cable and the other port.

Does Siri need to be enabled?

Yes. CarPlay needs Siri enabled on the iPhone to work.

Can CarPlay and Android Auto be used on the same radio?

Yes. The radios and interfaces we sell support both systems, so each driver can use their own phone.

See radio screen with wireless CarPlay

See the Wireless CarPlay + Android Auto Radio Screen, the Wireless CarPlay + Android Auto Interface or look for the specific screen for your car in our catalogue. If you have any questions, write to us on WhatsApp and we'll advise you.