Apple CarPlay Compatibility depends on several factors and we are going to discuss what are the facts that one should fulfill to enjoy Apple CarPlay and how to check CarPlay Compatibility.
Also, I will be providing some methods to experience Apple CarPlay, for those who do not have Apple CarPlay Compatibility.
Let's start!
CarPlay Compatibility Criteria
Basically, the Apple CarPlay Compatibility is fulfilled based on your location, iPhone and your car. All three of them should be CarPlay Compatible in order to use CarPlay.
Yet, there are some methods to overcome some of the incompatibilities and we'll discuss more on them.
01. Apple CarPlay Available Locations
By default, Apple CarPlay is available only for a limited set of countries and regions as follows.
CarPlay Available countries and regions :
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- China Mainland
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
If you do not belong to a region mentioned above, you can try a VPN as a method. But as CarPlay hacks team, I do not recommend it and you can use a CarPlay alternative app until CarPlay becomes available for your country or region.
02. CarPlay Compatible iDevice
CarPlay is not available for all the iDevices. It only supports iPhones and here are the list of iPhones which are compatible with apple CarPlay. CarPlay is not available for iPads and many car lovers find is as one of the issues in CarPlay. But we have a solution for that as CarPlay iPad hack which you can find on our blog.
CarPlay Compatible iPhones:
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XSiPhone ten s
- iPhone XS MaxiPhone ten s Max
- iPhone XRiPhone ten r
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5
03. CarPlay Compatible Car
A CarPlay compatible car is a must for enjoying Apple CarPlay. CarPlay compatibility depends on your car's make, model and the manufacture year. Most of the car makes are compatible with CarPlay as it makes the drivers safe and comfortable. So that there is a huge list of CarPlay cars.
CarPlay compatible car makes :
- Abarth
- Acura
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Borgward
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chery
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Citroen
- Cowin Auto
- Dodge
- DS Automobiles
- Ferrari
- Fiat
- Ford
- Genesis
- GMC
- Haima
- Haval
- Holden
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Jeep
- KIA
- Lamborghini
- Lifan
- Lincoln
- Maserati
- Mercedes-Benz
- MG
- Mini
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Opel
- Peugeot
- Porsche
- Qoros
- RAM
- Renault
- Roewe
- SEAT
- Skoda
- Subaru
- Suzuki
- Vauxhall
- Volkswagen
- VOLVO
- Mahindra
- SsangYong
- TATA MOTORS
Among these car makes, there are 500+ car models compatible with CarPlay.
Following shows you how to add more apps on CarPlay. Check it out!
Are There Methods to Upgrade CarPlay ?
If your car is compatible with Apple CarPlay, there are some methods to enhance the CarPlay experience. With my experiences and knowledge, I have listed the following for you.
WheelPal (Jailbreak Required)
To customize your CarPlay app menu with non-default apps like video streaming apps, YouTube, Netflix, VLC, KMP, Games etc, you can get WheelPal App.
This app allows you to add more apps to the CarPlay screen. But you need to have a jailbroken iPhone in order to add non-official apps on CarPlay.
For the installation guides for WheelPal app with step by step, please follow the above step guide link.
Disclaimer: Jailbreaking may cause warranty voids and security issues. The recommended way is not to jailbreak the iPhone. If you willing to jailbreak iPhone, do it at your own risk.
There are some new features on CarPlay with iOS 18
Also, while listening to Apple Music, you can create your own radio with that using the more icon indicated with three dots in the now Playing screen, so that you can listen to the same music in your next ride.
Now you can feed the parking location to the CarPlay maps with turning on 'Show parked location' on Map's settings.
There are a lot of CarPlay tips, you can find them on our blog. Also, you can get to know about everything on Apple CarPlay.
Note: Apple CarPlay does not officially support jailbreak and VPN facilities, but you can use these in iPhones with third party methods.
Way to Experience CarPlay if You Don't Have CarPlay
What if your car is not compatible with Apple CarPlay? Don't worry you can go for a CarPlay aftermarket solution like Kenwood, Pioneer.
Until that you can go for a CarPlay alternative solution like 'InCar App' which acts as an Apple CarPlay Simulator.
This app runs on any iPhone or iPad and no need of any modification like jailbreaking. This app is compatible with any iDevice with any iOS version.
With this you can use your iPhone as CarPlay screen and enable any app like YouTube, Netflix etc on the CarPlay interface.
Read more and download InCar App.
Apple CarKey Compatibility
Apple CarKey is a new technique introduced by apple, to bring the car's key into phone so that you can unlock the car with a single tap.
BMW Apple CarKey Compatible cars:
- 2021 - 2024 1 Series
- 2021 - 2024 2 Series
- 2021 - 2024 3 Series
- 2021 - 2024 4 Series
- 2021 - 2024 5 Series
- 2021 - 2024 6 Series
- 2021 - 2024 8 Series
- 2021 - 2024 X5
- 2021 - 2024 X6
- 2021 - 2024 X7
- 2021 - 2024 X5 M
- 2021 - 2024 X6 M
- 2021 - 2024 Z4
- 2022 - 2024 i4
- 2022 - 2024 iX
- 2022 - 2024 iX1
- 2022 - 2024 iX3
- 2023 i3
- 2023 - 2024 i7
- 2024 i5
For more information, please follow the CarKey link below.
source: iOS - CarPlay - Available Models - Apple
iPhone models compatible with CarKey:
- All iPhone models from iPhone XS to iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e
iOS versions compatible with CarKey:
- iOS 13.6 to iOS 18 and current versions
Learn everything about Apple CarKey.
Wireless CarPlay Compatibility
Wireless CarPlay is the technique of using CarPlay without connection iPhone to the car using a data cable. So, you can connect iPhone using bluetooth and hotspot.
Most of newest car models came as wireless CarPlay.
If you still have a wired CarPlay connection, you can wireless it by using a wireless CarPlay adapter like Carlinkit or Ottocast etc.
Find the full list of Wireless CarPlay Compatible cars.
Carlinkit Wireless CarPlay Adapter
With this adapter, you can use wireless CarPlay. Simply plug it into the car's USB port and connect your iPhone via Bluetooth and hotspot.
After the first connection, it will detect the phone and connect automatically.
Note: This is an affiliated product, hence you can get a discounted coupon by clicking the link above.
Conclusion
Apple CarPlay compatibility depends on the make, model, year of your car and the iPhone model and your location.
If you have CarPlay, you can check whether your car is compatible with CarKey too. Also, you can install more apps on CarPlay using the above-mentioned solutions.
On the other hand, you don't have to worry for not having CarPlay. You can go for an aftermarket solution or else, you can enjoy CarPlay on your phone with InCar App.
So, I'm sure you would be pleased to read more on Apple CarPlay. Find everything on Apple CarPlay and make your car life an extraordinary one.
