Apple CarPlay Setup Guide

Apple CarPlay® puts your iPhone's maps, calls, messages and music on your vehicle's touchscreen so you can use them with fewer distractions. If your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram has a Uconnect® system with CarPlay, setup is quick. In most cases you just plug in your phone and the system does the rest.

Want to know more about the system behind it? Read about Uconnect®.

How to Set Up Apple CarPlay in Your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram

Before you start

  
1. Start your vehicle and leave it in Park.
  
2. Make sure Siri is turned on in your iPhone's Settings.
  
3. Have the right cable ready. Use a cable that fits both your iPhone (USB-C on iPhone 15 and newer, Lightning on older models) and your vehicle's USB port. A direct cable works better than an adapter. Charge-only cables often won't work, so use an Apple cable or a certified data cable.

Any iPhone 5 or newer works with CarPlay.

Choose your connection type

Not sure which one your vehicle has? Check the list of compatible models below or look in your owner's manual.

Option A: Wired CarPlay (USB cable)

  
1. Plug your iPhone into the USB port marked with a CarPlay or smartphone icon.
  
2. Unlock your iPhone the first time you connect, and follow any prompts on your iPhone or the touchscreen.
  
3. CarPlay opens on your vehicle's screen. If it doesn't, select the CarPlay logo on the touchscreen.
  
4. From now on, CarPlay starts whenever you plug in.

Option B: Your vehicle supports both wired and wireless

  
1. Connect with a USB cable the first time, following Option A.
  
2. When your iPhone offers to connect wirelessly on your next drives, accept.
  
3. On later drives, CarPlay connects without the cable.

Option C: Wireless CarPlay only

  
1. Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on in your iPhone's Settings.
  
2. Press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel.
  
3. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay and tap your vehicle under Available Cars.
  
4. Follow the prompts on your iPhone and your vehicle's screen to finish pairing.

Your owner's manual has more detail for your specific model.

Using Apple CarPlay With Uconnect

Once you're connected, press and hold the VR button on your steering wheel and talk to Siri. Try "Show me the best places to get pizza near me," then pick a spot and Siri takes you there. Some Siri features are not available while the vehicle is moving.

From the touchscreen or by voice, you can:

  
• Make phone calls and send texts hands-free
  
• Listen to podcasts, audiobooks and Apple Music
  
• Get directions with Apple Maps

Third-party apps work with CarPlay as long as they support hands-free operation. That includes communication, navigation, EV charging, parking, quick food ordering and audio apps.

Uconnect 5 can connect two phones at once, so you can call or text from one and stream content from the other.

Turn Apple CarPlay Off or Back On

If you don't want CarPlay to launch every time your iPhone connects, open Device Manager on the Uconnect screen, tap the gear icon next to your iPhone, and deselect Enable Apple CarPlay. To turn it back on, select it again.

Apple CarPlay Not Connecting? Try These Fixes

If CarPlay won't connect or stops working, go through these one at a time and test after each. They follow Apple's own troubleshooting guidance.

  
• Restart your iPhone and turn your vehicle off and on again.
  
• Try a different cable and a different USB port. A worn or charge-only cable is a common cause of wired problems.
  
• Check that CarPlay isn't restricted: Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps.
  
• Update your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update.
  
• Connecting wirelessly? Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on, then tap the CarPlay network in Settings > Wi-Fi and make sure Auto-Join is on.
  
• Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your vehicle, tap Forget This Car, and set up CarPlay again.
  
• Still stuck? Schedule a service appointment with AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Houston and our team will look at your Uconnect system.

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Models With Apple CarPlay

These models support Apple CarPlay. Features vary by model year and trim, and wireless CarPlay depends on your vehicle, so confirm what yours includes.

Looking for a vehicle with Apple CarPlay? Browse all new vehicles or our used inventory at AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Houston.

View New Inventory with Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay FAQs

How do I set up Apple CarPlay in my Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram?

Start your vehicle, make sure Siri is on, then plug your iPhone into the USB port or connect wirelessly if your vehicle supports it. Follow the prompts on the touchscreen, and unlock your iPhone the first time. You're connected when the Phone icon in the menu bar changes to CarPlay.

Can I connect Apple CarPlay wirelessly with Uconnect?

Yes, on vehicles that support it. On Uconnect 5, press the Phone button, follow the prompts, and select OK when it asks about CarPlay. If your vehicle supports both, plug in with USB once and your iPhone will offer to connect wirelessly on your next drives.

Why won't my iPhone connect to Apple CarPlay?

Start with the basics. Update iOS, try a different certified cable and USB port, and for wireless, make sure Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Auto-Join are on. Then check that CarPlay is allowed in Content & Privacy Restrictions, or go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your vehicle, choose Forget This Car and set it up again.

Which iPhones work with Apple CarPlay?

CarPlay works with iPhone 5 and later. Keep your iPhone on the latest version of iOS for the best performance and compatibility.

How do I turn off Apple CarPlay?

Open Device Manager on the Uconnect screen, tap the gear icon next to your iPhone, and deselect Enable Apple CarPlay. Select it again to turn it back on.

Does Apple CarPlay use my data?

Yes. CarPlay uses your iPhone's data plan, so extra charges may apply, and you need cellular coverage for data-based features like maps and streaming.

Can I connect two phones to Uconnect 5 at once?

Yes. Uconnect 5 can connect two phones at the same time, so you can call or text from one and stream content from the other.

Which apps work with Apple CarPlay?

Apple Maps and Apple Music work, along with third-party communication, navigation, EV charging, parking, quick food ordering and audio apps. Third-party apps must support hands-free operation to work with CarPlay.

Watch the Setup Video

Prefer to see it done? The Uconnect 5 video on this page walks through pairing, Siri and the touchscreen, start to finish.