Apple CarPlay allows you to safely access your apps while driving. With this service, you can check your map, receive calls, respond to an urgent message, or play Apple music while still keeping your eyes on the road and both hands on the steering wheel. However, just like with any service, you might encounter some glitches and find that Apple CarPlay is not working anymore. Luckily, there are easy ways out of this problem, and we’re here to tell you all about them. Show
In this guide, we discuss the possible reasons why Apple CarPlay is not working and show you different ways to fix the issue. Also read: Apple Music Not Working: 10 Best Fixes That Will Work Possible Causes When Apple CarPlay Is Not WorkingThere are several explanations for why your Apple CarPlay is not working. The most common ones are the following:
13 Fixes for Apple CarPlay If It’s Not WorkingBefore proceeding with any of the methods in this guide, make sure that your phone and your car’s infotainment system are both switched on. If they are and Apple CarPlay is still not working, try the following solutions: 1. Check CompatibilityPhoto from AppleJust because you have an iOS device and a car doesn’t mean you automatically have Apple CarPlay. Thus, the first thing you need to do when Apple CarPlay is not working is to check if the service is available in your region and if it’s compatible with your vehicle and device. Currently, Apple CarPlay is supported in these 36 countries:
According to Apple, CarPlay is compatible with all major car manufacturers. That said, not every car model has this service built-in. For a full list of supported vehicles, you can check out the official Apple web page for Carplay. Don’t fret if you don’t see your car on the list. If you want to use Apple CarPlay while you drive, you can just buy an aftermarket system from brands like Sony, JVC, and Pioneer. In terms of device compatibility, you can use Apple CarPlay as long as you have at least an iPhone 5 that is running on iOS 7.1 or a later OS version. 2. Update Your iPhone’s OSThey’re easy to ignore, but OS updates are more vital to your phone’s performance than you might think. Besides fixes to security bugs, they also provide your iPhone with the drivers and software required to do its job effectively — and that includes connecting to and running Apple CarPlay. So, if your phone’s iOS version is not up to date, that’s probably the reason why your Apple CarPlay is not working. Updating your iPhone’s OS is very easy, but it can sometimes eat up your time, depending on how big the updates are. To upgrade your phone to the latest iOS version, follow these steps:
3. Check Your iPhone’s Connection to Your Apple CarPlay StereoPhoto by Mika Baumeister from UnsplashA faulty connection is also another possible reason why Apple CarPlay is not working. There are two ways to connect your phone to your Apple CarPlay Stereo: by using a cable and via Bluetooth. For those using a wired connection (whether it’s a lightning cable or a cable for your aftermarket system), check to see that the accessory isn’t frayed or damaged. If it is, try a different one and see if this solves the problem. Make sure to also check if the cable fits snugly into your stereo’s USB port. If loose, use a different port. Or better yet, try a new cable. If your phone is connected to Apple CarPlay wirelessly, make sure that Airplane Mode is not enabled since this keeps your phone from receiving and sending wireless signals. Also, both Bluetooth and WiFi on your iPhone should be enabled. You can do so through your phone’s Control Center. Simply swipe up from the bottom of your screen and tap on the WiFi and Bluetooth icons so that they’re both blue. While you’re at it, you might also want to disconnect from Bluetooth devices that you don’t use anymore. Here’s how:
Although the chances of old connections interfering with Apple CarPlay are fairly low, it’s still a good idea to keep your Bluetooth connections clutter-free. That way, you can help your phone run more smoothly. 4. Enable SiriYou need to enable Siri to run Apple CarPlay. So, if you haven’t set up Siri, that might be the reason why Apple CarPlay is not working. To enable Siri on your iPhone, do the following:
The first time you toggle on the Listen for “Hey Siri” feature, you’ll need to set up Siri to help the voice assistant recognize your voice. To set up Siri, here’s what you should do:
Also read: ‘Hey Siri’ Not Working: How to Fix Your Voice Assistant 5. Allow Apple CarPlay While Your Phone Is LockedApple CarPlay might also not work because it’s disabled when your phone screen times out. To rectify this, simply allow Apple CarPlay even when your screen turns off and your phone is locked. Here is how you can do that:
6. Re-enable Apple CarPlayOther settings and connections to your phone can sometimes interfere with your device’s connection to Apple CarPlay. When this happens, you can simply re-enable the service. Here’s how you can do that:
7. Ensure That Apple CarPlay Is Not RestrictedIf Apple CarPlay can’t detect your iPhone, it might be because the service is restricted on your device. To ensure that CarPlay is unrestricted, follow these steps:
8. Turn Off USB Restricted ModePhoto from Apple SupportUSB Restricted Mode protects your iPhone from potential hackers who use lightning ports to get your passcode. However, enabling this feature can interfere with Apple CarPlay if you’re connected through a cable. To turn off USB Restricted Mode on your iPhone, proceed with these steps:
If you want to keep your phone safe from potential hackers, you can always switch on USB Restricted Mode again when you’re not using Apple CarPlay. 9. Restart Your Vehicle and Your iPhoneIf you can’t see the Apple CarPlay logo on your car’s display, then you can rectify the issue by trying this method. Sometimes, all you need to do is reboot your iPhone and restart your car if your Apple CarPlay is not working. This helps to fix whatever software glitch your phone and/or your infotainment system might be having. Now, how you reboot your iPhone depends on its model. Whatever your iPhone’s version is, we show you the correct process below: How to Reboot an iPhone Via The Home ButtonPhoto from Apple Support
How to Restart an iPhone When There’s No Home ButtonPhoto from Apple Support
Once you’ve restarted both your iPhone and your car, connect to Apple CarPlay again and see if it’s now working. 10. Reset Your iPhone’s SettingsChanges in your phone’s system settings are another possible reason behind Apple CarPlay not working. In such cases, you can remedy the issue by reconfiguring your iPhone’s settings. Take note, though, that doing so means that your Home Screen layout, keyboard dictionary, Apple Pay cards, privacy settings, location settings, and network settings will be removed or returned to their default settings. That said, the process doesn’t delete any of your data or media files. To reset your iPhone’s settings, follow these steps:
Once your phone is done reconfiguring all of the settings, wait for it to restart automatically. When it does, you’ll have to switch on WiFi, Bluetooth, and Siri to connect to Apple CarPlay again. 11. Disconnect and Set Up Apple CarPlay AgainApple CarPlay not working might also be caused by an error in how it was set up. If you have a hunch that this is the issue, you can unlink CarPlay then set it up again. Follow these steps:
12. Update the Firmware of Your Apple CarPlay StereoIf you’ve tried the methods we listed above and Apple CarPlay is still not working, you might need to check if it’s your car stereo’s firmware that is at fault here. To ensure that Apple CarPlay is always up and running, you need to be using the most recent firmware from your vehicle’s manufacturer. For instructions on how to update your CarPlay stereo’s firmware, consult your car’s manual or manufacturer. 13. Ask for Help from Apple SupportThe last resort if Apple CarPlay is still not working is to contact Apple Support for help. With Apple Support, you can choose to get assistance through chat, a phone call, or by going to the nearest Apple Authorized Service provider. Be sure to relay the problem clearly so that the team can provide you with the proper assistance. Fixing Apple CarPlay That’s Not Working Is EasyWithout a doubt, CarPlay is one of the best things that Apple has come up with. It lets you use your apps while driving without risking your safety. However, it can be worrisome to find out that Apple CarPlay is suddenly not working. Luckily, just as we showed you in this guide, there are numerous ways you can fix the issue. We hope this article helped you fix whatever glitch you might be experiencing with Apple CarPlay. If you’ve tried a working method that isn’t in this guide, feel free to tell us about it in the comments! |