CarPlay
CarPlay is an Apple standard that enables a car radio or automotive head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. It is available on iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or later.
More than 800 car and motorcycle models support CarPlay, according to Apple. Vehicle owners can add support by installing certain aftermarket vehicle audio products. Most CarPlay systems connect to iOS through USB, some are wireless, and wireless support can be added through aftermarket dongles. CarPlay Ultra, a more integrated version of CarPlay, was first announced on Aston Martin DBX707 in May 2025.
Software
Apple's CarPlay-enabled apps include:- Phone
- Apple Music
- Apple Maps
- Calendar
- Messages
- Audiobooks
- Podcasts
- Settings
- News
- Audio: primarily provide audio content, such as music or podcasts. Examples: Amazon Music, Audible, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, QQ Music, Spotify, and Overcast.
- Navigation: turn-by-turn guidance, including searching for points of interests and navigating to a destination. Examples: AutoNavi, Baidu Maps, Google Maps, ChargeFinder and Waze.
- Automaker-made apps allow a user to control vehicle-specific features such as climate controls, gas levels, or radio via CarPlay.
- Messaging/Voice over IP : listen to new messages and reply using dictation in an audio-only interface. Messaging apps on CarPlay integrate with third-party Siri support, while VoIP apps integrate with the iOS calling interface using CallKit. Examples: Telegram, WhatsApp, and Zoom.
- Food-ordering and parking-services apps.
CarPlay-enabled apps installed on the device appear on the CarPlay home screen unless disabled by the user. The inclusion or exclusion and order of app appearance can be changed on a per-vehicle basis.
Hardware
Most of the CarPlay software runs on the connected iPhone. The CarPlay interface provides audio output and a visual display to the vehicle’s infotainment system, while adapting to the vehicle’s available control methods, including touch screens, rotary dials, physical buttons, steering-wheel controls, and hands-free microphones.Aftermarket head units may support CarPlay or Android Auto, and many support both platforms.
Wired CarPlay
In a wired CarPlay configuration, the iPhone connects to the vehicle or head unit via a USB cable. The USB connection supplies power to the iPhone and provides a stable data link for audio, video, and control input. Wired CarPlay is supported by a wide range of factory-installed infotainment systems and aftermarket head units.Some third-party devices marketed as wireless CarPlay adapters operate by emulating a wired CarPlay connection to the vehicle. These devices plug into the vehicle’s USB port and present themselves as a wired CarPlay interface, while separately establishing a wireless connection to the iPhone. Such devices still require the vehicle or head unit to support standard CarPlay.
Wireless CarPlay
Wireless CarPlay allows the iPhone to connect to a compatible vehicle or head unit without a physical cable. During the initial pairing process, the iPhone exchanges network credentials with the CarPlay receiver over Bluetooth. Once paired, CarPlay data is transmitted over a two-way Wi-Fi connection between the phone and the vehicle.Wireless CarPlay support depends on both the vehicle or head unit hardware and the iPhone model, and is generally limited to newer factory systems and select aftermarket receivers.
History
Predecessor
In 2008, one year after the release of the iPhone, Mercedes vehicles were first to sell an audio system incorporating both the iPod and iPhone, equipped with 30-pin iOS input jacks. The new 2008 Harman Kardon NTG 2.5 featured full audio streaming, syncing, charging and control integrated into the steering wheel controls, instrument panel, and head unit. Apple was working with Mercedes to develop iOS compatible audio systems into their cars first only a year after iPhone launch. With an Apple Lightning-to-30-pin adapter, iPhones/iPods remain backwards-compatible with the Harman Kardon 2.5 and later models. This is the earliest audio system specifically engineered for iPod/iPhone integration, which predated CarPlay and every other manufacturer incorporating iOS into vehicles.The concept of CarPlay was based on the iOS 4 feature called "iPod Out" which was produced through several years of joint development by Apple and the BMW Group's Technology Office USA. iPod Out enabled vehicles with the necessary infrastructure to "host" the analog video and audio from a supporting iOS device while receiving inputs, such as button presses and knob rotations, from a car's infotainment system, to drive the "hosted" user interface in the vehicle's built-in display. It was announced at WWDC 2010 and first shipped in BMW Group vehicles in early 2011. The BMW and Mini option was called "PlugIn" and paved the way for the first cross-OEM platforms, introducing the concept of requiring a car-specific interface for apps.
Development
CarPlay's codename was Stark. Apple's Eddy Cue announced it as iOS in the Car at WWDC 2013. In January 2014, it was reported that Apple's hardware-oriented corporate culture had led to release delays. iOS in the Car was then rebranded and launched as CarPlay with significant design changes at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 with Ferrari, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo among the first car manufacturers.At WWDC 2022, Apple announced plans to release an all-new version of CarPlay, informally dubbed CarPlay 2. The new version was said to be able to control vehicle functions, access vehicle stats, and take over multiple vehicle screens. Officials said they planned to release it in late 2024 and that manufacturers that are planning to adopt the new CarPlay include: Audi, Acura, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo. On January 2025, amidst delays, Apple removed the planned released date from its website.
On May 15, 2025, Apple announced that next-generation CarPlay, now called CarPlay Ultra, would be included with all new vehicles from Aston Martin. Existing vehicles will also be receiving CarPlay Ultra through a future software update. It is only available in the US and Canada.
Timeline
June 2013: Apple introduced iOS in the Car; an early version of CarPlay that was never publicly released, at WWDC 2013.June 2013: BMW officials announced their cars would not support iOS in the Car; they later changed their minds.
November 2013: Siri Eyes Free mode was offered as a dealer-installed accessory in the US to some Honda Accord and Acura RDX & ILX models. In December, Honda offered additional integration, featuring new HondaLink services, on some US and Canada models of the Civic and the Fit.
March 2014: Apple introduced CarPlay, which was renamed from iOS in the Car with significant design changes, at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show with automakers Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
September 2014: A Ferrari FF was the first car with a full version of CarPlay.
November 2014: Hyundai announced the Sonata sedan would be their first model with available CarPlay by the end of the first quarter of 2015.
January 2015: Volkswagen announced CarPlay support would be coming later in 2015 and would be either standard or available on the majority of their 2016 model year lineup.
May 2015: General Motors announced CarPlay would be available starting with 14 different 2016 model year Chevrolet vehicles.
July 2015: Honda announced CarPlay would be available in their vehicles starting with the 2016 Honda Accord.
December 2015: Volvo implemented CarPlay in the 2016 Volvo XC90 as their first vehicle with CarPlay support.
December 2015: Mercedes-Benz confirmed that CarPlay would be available starting with select 2016 model year vehicles.
January 2016: Apple released a list detailing the car models which support CarPlay.
January 2016: Ford announced CarPlay would be available on all 2017 Ford/Lincoln model year vehicles equipped with the Sync 3 infotainment system.
January 2016: FCA announced CarPlay would be available on their UConnect infotainment system starting with select 2016 model year vehicles.
March 2016: Subaru announced the beginning of CarPlay and Android Auto support, starting with the 2017 Impreza.
June 2016: Nissan announced CarPlay would be available in their vehicles beginning with the 2017 Nissan Maxima.
September 2016: BMW added CarPlay as a standalone option in most of their vehicles.
February 2017: Harman announced the first implementation of wireless CarPlay which made its debut in the 2017 BMW 5 series.
April 2017: The new generation Scania range became the first heavy duty truck in Europe to support CarPlay.
July 2017: The new Volvo VNL became the first heavy duty truck in the United States to support CarPlay.
October 2017: The 2018 Honda Gold Wing became the first motorcycle to support CarPlay.
January 2018: Toyota, which was, up until this point, a notable holdout for Apple CarPlay, began to implement CarPlay starting with the 2019 Toyota Avalon.
July 2018: Mazda began to implement CarPlay starting with the 2018 Mazda6. Mazda also began offering a CarPlay retrofit to support previous vehicles that were 2014 model year or newer and equipped with the MZD-Connect system.
August 2018: Harley-Davidson CarPlay support was added to 2019 Touring models equipped with Boom! Box GTS radio.
December 2019: BMW no longer required a subscription to use CarPlay.
March 2023: General Motors announced plans to phase out CarPlay support in their electric vehicles in favor of a new Android Automotive system. This CarPlay phase out will start with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. New GM vehicles that are not electric vehicles, as well as any GM electric vehicle model that was released before the Blazer EV, will retain CarPlay support for the time being.