Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to connect your phone directly to your car and access your playlists, use your preferred GPS map apps, and more. You can also use it to access your messaging apps, make and receive calls, and listen to podcasts and audiobooks.
They're a much safer method for using your phone in a limited way while on the road, helping you avoid dangerous distracted driving habits like texting and driving.
If you haven’t yet used CarPlay or Android Auto, it’s very easy to set up. Most newer cars offer both Bluetooth and wired options for connecting your phone to your car—simply choose the one that works best for you. Here’s how to connect your iPhone or Android device to your vehicle.
How do you connect your iPhone to Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay works through two different connectivity types: a wireless/Bluetooth connection and a USB cable. Most vehicles support both methods. Before attempting to connect your phone, make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
How to connect to CarPlay through a USB cable
To pair the phone to the car through a cable:
- Turn your car on.
- Plug either a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your iPhone model) into your car’s USB port and your phone.
- Wait for CarPlay to initiate in your car. You may get a notification on your phone telling you to unlock your device in order to use CarPlay. You may also have to accept terms and conditions in your vehicle, depending on the make and model.
- CarPlay should take over the screen and start up.
How to connect your iPhone to CarPlay using Bluetooth
To connect your iPhone to your car wirelessly via Bluetooth:
- Turn your car on.
- Open your car’s settings and enter Bluetooth pairing mode or phone pairing mode (depending on your vehicle). Some vehicles allow you to hold your steering wheel’s voice command button to enter this menu.
- In your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Under “My Devices,” look for your car’s Bluetooth connection and tap on it.
- On both your vehicle and phone screens, follow the instructions to allow permission to use CarPlay. You may need to type in a pairing PIN.
- CarPlay should take over the screen and start up.
How do you connect your Android phone to Android Auto?
Like CarPlay, you can connect your phone to your car via Android Auto through a wired USB connection or wirelessly through Bluetooth. Before you start, make sure your phone is updated to the latest version of Android.
How to connect your Android phone via USB
To use Android Auto via a cable connection:
- Turn on your vehicle.
- Plug a USB-C cable into your car's USB port and your phone.
- Follow any on-screen instructions, both in your vehicle and on your phone, to initiate Android Auto.
How to connect your Android using Bluetooth
To connect to Android Auto wirelessly:
- Turn on your car.
- In your vehicle’s settings, enter Bluetooth pairing mode or phone pairing mode (depending on your vehicle). Some vehicles allow you to hold your steering wheel’s voice command button to enter this menu.
- In your Android phone, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Look for your car’s Bluetooth connection and tap on it.
- On both your vehicle and phone screens, follow the instructions to allow permission to use Android Auto. You may need to type in a pairing PIN.
- Android Auto should start up and take over your car's screen.
CarPlay and Android Auto phone and software compatibility
All iPhones starting from the iPhone 5 are compatible with Apple CarPlay, though some older models may not access all CarPlay features. Android devices must be running Android 9.0 (Pie) or higher to be compatible with Android Auto via a wired connection, or Android 10 or higher to connect via Bluetooth.
CarPlay + Android Auto requirements
| Apple CarPlay | Android Auto | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported devices/OS | iPhone 5 and newer Latest supported version of iOS |
Wired connection: - Any device with Android 9 or later Wireless connection: - Any device with Android 10 or later |
Troubleshooting your phone not connecting to your car
If CarPlay is not working
If your iPhone won't connect to CarPlay, there are a few things you can try.
- Try using a cable if you're connected via Bluetooth, or vice versa. If neither is working, try turning Bluetooth off and back on, or swapping your USB cable for a new one.
- Turn your phone off and back on. Make sure Siri is enabled.
- Restart your car.
- Check your iPhone's privacy restrictions by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Either toggle it off or, if you prefer it on, tap Allowed Apps and make sure CarPlay is toggled on.
- Reset CarPlay entirely. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, choose your car, then choose Forget This Car. You'll then need to set up your vehicle with your iPhone again.
If Android Auto is not connecting
If Android Auto keeps disconnecting or is not working at all:
- Switch the way you're connected to Android auto, either via a USB cable or Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off and back on, or swap your USB cable for a new one.
- Restart your phone and restart your car.
- Restart your vehicle's infotainment system.
- Reset your Android Auto entirely. In your phone's Settings, choose Connected devices > Connection preferences > Android Auto > Previously connected cars. Select Forget all cars. You'll need to set up your Android Auto with your phone again.
If you get an "Accessory not supported" error
If your phone won’t connect to your car and you’re getting an error saying an accessory isn’t supported, the fix could be as simple as swapping out your USB cable for a new one… or you may have a deeper issue with your vehicle’s connection. Head to our tips on troubleshooting an unsupported accessory error message to work through the issue.
How to avoid burning through data on your drive
Unless your vehicle comes equipped with Wi-Fi, you’ll need to use mobile data for the entire time you’re connecting your phone to your car. Some apps use less data, but others—especially GPS-enabled apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps—have the potential to eat up quite a bit. Some common apps and their data usage include:
- Google Maps: 5MB per hour.
- Spotify: 42–150MB per hour, depending on streaming quality.
- Podcasts: 40-50MB per hour, depending on streaming quality.
You can monitor your mobile data usage to get a better idea of how much data you use while driving. Some tips for conserving data while in your car include:
- Download any music, podcasts, or audiobooks you want to listen to ahead of time. Most music and audio apps allow you to download playlists to your device, avoiding the need to stream directly from the internet while you’re driving.
- Similarly, download any maps for offline use before heading out on your drive. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps allow you to download map information for your local area, enabling you to have maps for your entire city downloaded.
- Turn off cellular data for other apps. In your phone’s settings, you can set specific apps to only connect via Wi-Fi. While you’re in your car, they’ll remain dormant and stop searching for a mobile connection.
- Enable Low Data or Data Saver mode. In both iPhones and Android devices, this mode will restrict any apps you’re not actively using from accessing data in the background.
Prep your phone before your next road trip
Heading out on a road trip? Load up your phone with the most fun and helpful road trip apps, like Roadtripper and iExit, to make your drive just that extra bit better. (We highly recommend this free road trip gaming app that we tested and loved to keep the boredom at bay!)
Hint: Apps like Waze are even compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto.
What are the best unlimited plans for streaming music on the go?
If you’re consistently running up against your data limits, it may be time to upgrade your phone plan. Our picks for the best phone plans on the market are all under $50/month—and they’re all unlimited plans to boot.
Visible Wireless has two unlimited plans that provide unlimited premium data on Verizon’s fastest 5G network, which means your speeds will never slow no matter how much data you use. The mid-tier Visible+ plan is an extremely affordable $35 per month, with unlimited hotspot data at 10Mbps and international calling and roaming perks in Canada and Mexico. For just $10 more per month, the top-tier Visible+ Pro plan increases your hotspot speeds to 15Mbps and adds international calling and texting to over 85 countries. Our tests of Visible’s service found them to be fast and reliable, making these plans an excellent deal.
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Visible
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Visible
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Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks and offers unlimited data for $30/month. Your first 35GB of data are guaranteed at Mint’s fastest speeds; afterward, you might be slowed during times of peak network congestion, but in our firsthand testing, we never experienced any deprioritization. You’ll also get 10GB of high-speed hotspot per month, plus free calling to Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
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Unlimited Data Plan
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If you prefer sticking with a major carrier over an MVNO—and you don’t mind paying the big bucks for it—T-Mobile’s Experience More plan has all the bells and whistles. You’ll get unlimited premium data, a massive 60GB mobile hotspot allowance, free Netflix and Apple TV+ streaming, and seriously robust international talk, text, and data perks. You’ll also pay a whopping $85 per month for a single line, which is why we think the MVNO plans are a better choice for most people.
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T-Mobile
Experience More
$85.00/mo
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How to connect your phone to your car: FAQs
Why won't my car let me connect my phone?
Your car may not let you connect to your smartphone if there's a loose AUX cord, your Bluetooth isn't enabled, or you're not connected to your car via USB. Check your cables and menu settings, and make sure you have your phone and car volume turned up.
How do I pair my phone to my car?
You can pair your phone to your car using Bluetooth, Android Auto, or Apple CarPlay. For Bluetooth, look for your car under the list of available devices and select it. To use CarPlay or Android Auto, connect your phone using a USB cable or Bluetooth and follow the on-screen prompts to get started.
What is CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is a platform that lets your car’s infotainment system access and display information from your iPhone. It mirrors your iOS display, allowing you to access apps like Apple Music, Spotify, Apple Maps, and more. You can also make and answer calls or send and receive messages.
Do I have to enable Siri to connect to CarPlay?
Yes. While you don’t necessarily have to use Siri while CarPlay is on, Siri does have to be enabled in order for CarPlay to start. This is likely due to the fact that CarPlay is designed for at least partial hands-free usage, and Apple wants to ensure you use hands-free tech as much as possible. If Siri isn’t working in CarPlay, it’s worth running through the steps in our Siri troubleshooting guide.
What is Android Auto?
Android Auto is an in-car platform that mirrors your Android device on your car’s infotainment center. You can stream music, navigate, make calls, and send messages. It's easy to use apps like Google Maps, Spotify, and Messages while in the car with Android Auto’s interface.
Lauren Hannula
Managing Editor
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