Apple Carplay's Not Working? Here's How To Fix
We explore what to do if your Apple Carplay isn't working so you can have a seamless audio experience whenever you're driving.
Apple Carplay is one of the most prominent selections in vehicle technology, offering wired connections from phones to cars for the entertainment of messaging and calling. Unfortunately, there might be times when you hop in the vehicle and notice the Apple Carplay not working. What do you do if you lose this function?
It can be frustrating to hop inside your vehicle and see your Apple Carplay isn’t working, but there are a few tactics to repair the system. It shouldn’t take much to get it back in working condition. Keep reading to learn more about some steps to take, how to reset the Carplay system, and whether Apple Carplay ever expires.
Steps to See if Apple Carplay Works
The most critical thing you can do is to see if your Apple Carplay works. There are several areas where a driver can go wrong when connecting their Apple Carplay to their phone, so this allows you to go through a checklist to determine if any of these are the issues. If not, there might be another external feature at play.
Let’s dive into four of the most common reasons an individual might struggle with Apple Carplay in their vehicle. Though some might seem simple, we are all prone to human error, and the fix could be far easier than you anticipated.
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1. Ensure You Have the Requirements
One of the most common reasons for the issues of Apple Carplay not working is that you don’t have all the requirements for it to pair to your system. You might be missing one of these requirements, or it could be all. If any are out of place, you won’t have access to the technology.
Double-check the following:
- Ensure your car supports Carplay. Seek the manufacturer if you don’t know.
- Ensure your country/region permits Carplay.
- Ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version.
These can get in the way of an experience.
If your car doesn’t support Carplay or you can’t have it in your area, there is no hope for access. However, if your phone isn’t updated to the latest setting, the solution is easy. Navigate to your settings and allow the update. Your Apple Carplay should work from there, as good as new.
2. Check Wired/Wireless Settings
Another step is to check the wired and wireless settings for the system. We have a few simple steps, according to support.apple.com, you can go through to consider what could have gone wrong in this area.
Here are the steps they recommend following:
Check the Carplay stereo connection.
- Try a different USB with a wired connection.
- Ensure your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on your phone. Go to the Carplay network and have auto-join on.
If nothing happens, press the Carplay logo on your vehicle.
Restart the car and phone.
See if Siri is on.
Ensure Carplay isn’t restricted in your Allowed Apps.
Forget the car in the setting for Carplay, then reconnect.
Ensure your Carplay stereo has modern firmware.
These measures ensure that wired and wireless settings are not the issue.
If your Carplay works after this point, you’re good to go. If not, there is one more thing you can try.
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3. Connect With USB-C Cord
Finally, most vehicles will connect to a car and permit Carplay with a USB-C cord. A USB-C to lighting adapter system will attach to one end of the phone and press it to the car. If you can’t get the wireless connection with Carplay for your phone, use the wire to connect it. You should then be able to use Carplay on your screen with another cable in the middle.
Unfortunately, there are some cases where cables, adapters, and entertainment systems could impact the Apple Carplay system. We advise using a connector for vehicles that only support a wired selection for Apple Carplay. Many cars require a cable for the system to function.
How Do You Reset Apple Carplay?
Maybe you find that Apple Carplay not working is not solved by any of the actions above, and you want to try to reset the system. It is possible to reset the Carplay system through a few simple steps.
Here is the process for resetting Apple Carplay:
- Go to Settings.
- Go to General.
- Go to Carplay.
- Tap your car.
- Press Forget This Car.
- Set Up Carplay.
You will then reattach Carplay to your car and phone.
It’s simple to reset the Carplay system. It might not solve the issue, but it’s an excellent tactic to try if you aren’t sure what to do. If resetting doesn’t solve it and you’ve tried everything else, it might be time to get outside assistance.
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Does Apple Carplay Expire?
Some assume their Apple Carplay doesn’t work because it’s expired. While many systems inside vehicles expire, that isn’t the case for Apple Carplay. In most cars, Apple Carplay comes standard on certain trims and will remain on them for the duration of its lifespan.
If your system isn’t working, it isn’t because Apple Carplay expired. There was at one point a subscription model associated with manufacturers like BMW, but they have done away with that in recent years. Apple Carplay is here to stay.
Expiration can happen with additions like Sirius XM, which could be why that doesn’t work. However, that isn’t the same for an Apple Carplay system in a vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Is your Apple Carplay not working? There could be ample things wrong, from Carplay being blocked and restricted on your phone to Bluetooth not being activated. The answers above should provide a solution to your problem. If you can’t figure it out, we recommend seeking a professional for a proper connection.
We hope this information is helpful, whether you want to prepare for a time when Apple Carplay stops working, or you’re having trouble connecting to the system. Apple Carplay is an excellent modern feature, but that doesn’t mean it won’t struggle. It’s vital to be as ready for anything as possible.
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