Network and connectivity
CarPlay
Most people call this putting your iPhone on the car screen.
CarPlay shows a simplified version of your iPhone on the car's display, and the Settings screen controls which apps appear and how they are arranged.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- General
- CarPlay
What it does
You can rearrange the CarPlay Home Screen, choose a wallpaper, decide whether the phone can be used while CarPlay is active, and set whether it connects over a cable or wirelessly.
What changes
When it is on
The car screen mirrors a simplified iPhone interface.
When it is off
The car uses its own system.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Navigation, music and hands free messaging on the car display.
- Driving Focus can activate automatically when it connects.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Some cars handle it badly and connections drop.
- A cable connection is more reliable than wireless in most cars.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
No real change
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Prompts to set up the first time you connect to a compatible car.
Questions people actually ask
- Why does CarPlay disconnect on long drives?
- USB Restricted Mode cuts data to the port an hour after the phone locks. Allow USB Accessories to stop it.
If it is not working
- If it stops working an hour into a journey, check USB Accessories under Face ID and Passcode.
- Forget This Car and set it up again clears most pairing faults.
- Allow CarPlay While Locked must be on for most cars to work at all.