So, how can you get your Apple CarPlay working again quickly and easily?
1. Restart Your Phone
We’ll start with the most obvious remedy for many smartphone-related issues: a restart. Sometimes, simply turning your phone on and off again can fix the issue you’re experiencing with your Apple CarPlay, so give this a try first before opting for the other fixes listed here.
2. Make Sure CarPlay Is Enabled on Your iPhone
If you can’t get Apple CarPlay started in your vehicle, it might be because the feature has not yet been enabled on your iPhone. To do this:
First, head to your phone’s settings, and then head to General. Then, go to the CarPlay section in your General Settings, and head to My Cars. Here, you can configure or re-configure your vehicle by forgetting it and connecting to it again.
You’ll also need to make sure that the vehicle you have configured to CarPlay isn’t disabled in Screen Time. To check this, head back to your settings and tap on the Content & Privacy Restrictions category. Here, you’ll see a section named Allowed Apps. From here, you’ll be able to see which apps on your phone have been granted screen permissions. If the toggle is to the left, tap on it to activate CarPlay’s permissions.
3. Make Sure Your Bluetooth Is Connected
If you’re using Apple CarPlay wirelessly, ensure your Bluetooth is enabled. You can find your Bluetooth settings by heading to Settings > Bluetooth. Here, you can activate Bluetooth using the toggle.
In this instance, you should also check that Airplane Mode isn’t currently enabled on your phone, as this will disable all of your device’s wireless capabilities. As you can see in the screenshot above, the toggle shows that Airplane Mode is deactivated. If this toggle is green, simply tap it once to disable Airplane Mode so you can connect to your vehicle wirelessly.
4. Check Your USB Cable
If you’re using CarPlay via a hardwire connection, there may be an issue with your Lightning cable. So, check your cable externally to ensure it’s intact, and then test it out in another setting. For example, you could try charging another device using the cable to see if it works. It’s often the simplest faults that cause tech issues, so replacing your Lightning to USB cable if it’s shown to have an unreliable or non-existent connection could help.
You should also ensure that your USB cable is plugged into the correct port within your vehicle.
5. Regularly Update Your Operating System
Some of the issues you’ll encounter when using your smartphone can be solved through a simple software update, as this can fix any bugs or additional problems currently affecting your device’s performance. So, if you’re having problems with Apple CarPlay, make sure you’re using the latest version of iOS.
You can check whether your smartphone is due an update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update. Here, you’ll be able to see if a newer version of iOS is available, which could help solve your CarPlay issue.
6. Make Sure Siri Is Enabled When Locked
If you’re trying to control Apple CarPlay using your voice and it isn’t responding, this might be because your Siri voice assistant is disabled on your phone whenever it’s locked. To check Siri’s status, head to Settings > Siri & Search.
Here, you can check if Siri is active and enable it if it is not. If not, tap on the toggle next to Allow Siri When Locked to activate it.
7. Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Compatible with CarPlay
Unfortunately, not all car models and manufacturers support Apple CarPlay. If you have an older model, for instance, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to use CarPlay. You can check out our piece that lists all the manufacturers that support CarPlay or head to Apple’s list of all CarPlay-supported models to see whether your vehicle is compatible with this feature.
Fix CarPlay With Minimum Fuss
It’s always frustrating when a trusty piece of technology stops working and being unable to use your phone responsibly while on the road can be very limiting. But with the tips and tricks above, you can weed out the issues affecting your CarPlay and get back to listening to tunes, navigating your journey, or getting in touch with loved ones safely and conveniently.
