[Updated 1 Nov 2020 – Added new CarPlay Dashboard Console option]
Wireless Apple CarPlay has been available since iOS 9, yet it has only been the last few years that we have seen Wireless CarPlay become enabled for some factory fitted CarPlay stereos and more recent aftermarket CarPlay systems.
Wireless Apple CarPlay is a highly desired feature in vehicles and if you are lucky enough to have a wireless CarPlay enabled system in your vehicle, or you have recently purchased a wireless CarPlay dongle let us tell you how to enable it.
How to enable wireless CarPlay on your iOS device
1. Enter the Settings App.
2. Select ‘General’ Settings.
3. Select ‘CarPlay’ Settings.
4. From the CarPlay settings screen, if you have Bluetooth switched off, you’ll be prompted to turn it on, to ‘enable wireless CarPlay’.
5. With your in-car stereo wireless CarPlay active/enabled, press and hold the voice button on your steering wheel or select the option in your stereo’s menu to begin the wireless pairing process between your device and the stereo system.
What wireless Apple CarPlay systems are there?
There are many wireless CarPlay systems available now. It has taken a few years for the technology to settle and become readily available, but you now have a few options open to you when looking for getting Wireless CarPlay in your vehicle.
Option 1: Buy a new vehicle with wireless Apple CarPlay option installed
Option 2: Upgrade your existing car system with a newer OEM receiver that features wireless CarPlay. This usually involves buying a newer system second-hand off eBay and having it professionally fitted and mapped to your older vehicle.
Option 3: Upgrade your existing car system with an aftermarket receiver with wireless CarPlay support. This involves selecting the right receiver for your vehicle, then having it fitted either by a professional installer (recommended) or fitting it yourself using a number of tutorials online.
A professional installer will select the right components to install the new CarPlay receiver in your vehicle and save you the headache of compatibility of components needed, and reduce the many install issues that can arise if you have not properly configured or setup the receiver correctly.
Option 4: Buy a wireless CarPlay dongle for your existing wired Apple CarPlay system.
If you have a wired CarPlay system or receiver already installed in your car, you don’t have to replace it entirely, you can just buy a simple USB wireless dongle and transform your CarPlay head unit into a wireless one. Check our pages for all the wireless CarPlay dongles we have covered along with troubleshooting videos on our YouTube Channel.
Option 5: If you don’t have CarPlay already in your car, you can buy the all-in-one CarPlay solution – Coral Vision CarPlay Dashboard Console – which comes in both Wired Model or buy the Wireless Model, there is also now a high-end Pro model with a USB-C input and faster processor, and more recently Coral released a cheaper Lite model which mirrors the Pro inner power but with a cheaper/lighter casing and a plastic screen instead of glass on the Pro model. Click on the image above for our written review, or click here for our Coral Vision CarPlay Pro Complete Dashboard Console video review.
If you’re interested to find out more about the options I have listed above, read more about how to make your Apple CarPlay wireless here
