Apple CarPlay wireless: no, it's not science fiction. Unlike Android Auto in fact the Cupertino system allows you to connect yours iPhone to the car without necessarily needing a cable USB. But be careful: not all cars offer this advantage. So let's find out which cars allow you to exploit Apple CarPlay in modalità wireless (without wire).
Apple CarPlay: what is it?
For those of you who were distracted as Apple announced C, let's make a brief summary.
Apple CarPlay is the Apple standard that allows the iPhone to interface with your car. To do this, you obviously need a compatible smartphone, then an iPhone 5 or a later model, iOS 7.1 or later and a vehicle that supports this system.
ATTENTION! Don't assume your new car has it. Often it is not included in the base packages so if you want to use it please ask for it promptly.
Apple CarPlay is the safest way to take advantage of the functionality of a iPhone when you are behind the wheel. So consider it an investment for the protection of yourself and anyone who uses the same car.
But what exactly does it do? Basically it leads to the car display the smartphone features you need most. There are the Map, very useful if the car does not have its own navigator, and the classic phone, so you can easily access your contacts and then call anyone using the speakerphone. There is no lack of reading and sending messages, compatibility with Apple Music and integration with the third party applications. Among these Spotify, WhatsApp, Tidal, Audible and many others.
Apple CarPlay can be controlled in three different ways:
- using Crab and voice commands;
- taking advantage of the touch on the touch displays;
- with any knobs or buttons dedicated to the car's infotainment system;
All of this normally only works by connecting the iPhone to the car via a USB-lightning cable.
Apple CarPlay Wireless: compatible car list
However, not all cars need a cable. In fact, Apple CarPlay can be used wirelessly. A novelty introduced by Harman in 2017 with the BMW 5 Series.
How does it connect? No complicated procedures. Once the car is paired with theiPhone via Bluetooth you will be ready to use CarPlay. However, this does not mean that this is enough to automatically make it compatible. First of all because it must be the car manufacturer to implement it and secondly because next to the "visible" Bluetooth connection we find that WiFi. In fact, Bluetooth alone is not enough to transfer the data necessary for the operation of Apple CarPlay.
But no more chatter! Which cars integrate this system? Right away the updated list of compatible cars:
Audi
- Audi Sportback A3
- Audi A5
- Audi A6
- Audi A7
- Audi A8
- Audi A1 (2021)
- Listen Q3
- Audi Q4 e-tron
- Listen Q5
- Listen Q7
- Listen Q8
- Audi e-Tron
- Audi e-Tron Sportback
BMW
- BMW 2 Series (read and watch our test drive)
- BMW 3 Series (read our test drive)
- BMW Serie 4
- BMW Serie 5
- BMW Series 5 plug-in hybrid (530e)
- BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
- BMW Serie 7
- BMW Series 7 plug-in hybrid (740e)
- BMW i3
- BMW iX3 (watch the video preview)
- BMW i8
- BMW X1
- BMW X2
- BMW X3
- BMW X4
- BMW X5 (see our test drive)
- BMW X6
- BMW X7
- BMW Z4
Cupra
- Cupra Formentor
Dacia
- Dacia Sandero (see the test drive)
FCA
- FIAT 500 electric
Ford
- Ford Mustang Mach-e
Honda
- Honda Jazz Hybrid
Hyundai
Lamborghini
- Lamborghini Governance
Kia
MINI
- MINI Clubman
- MINI Convertible
- MINI Hardtop
- MINI Countryman
- MINI Cooper SE Countryman plug-in hybrid (read and watch our test drive)
- MINI Cooper SE (see our day by day test)
Mercedes-Benz
As a general rule, Mercedes-Benz makes it known that all cars equipped with MBUX (the new entertainment system of the German company) will support the wireless version of Apple CarPlay.
- Mercedes A-Class (read and watch our test drive)
- Mercedes S-Class
- Mercedes GLE
Nissan
- Nissan ariya
Seat
- Seat Leon
Skoda
Toyota
- Toyota Supra 2020
Volkswagen
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Volkswagen ID.4 (see the test drive)
- Volkswagen Golf
- Volkswagen Passat
- Volkswagen Polo
- Volkswagen T-Cross
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Volkswagen Touareg
- Volkswagen Touran
Apple CarPlay wireless: the alternatives
You will have understood: the vehicles currently compatible with the wireless variant of the Cupertino system there are very few, at least for now.
The reason is understandable: Apple CarPlay wireless it was presented 3 years ago but inserting this technology immediately, within a production cycle already started, is practically impossible. This means that this variant will probably start spreading in the next 2/3 years.
How to survive without? First of all know that the variant with the cable works equally well and in more avoid draining the battery of your iPhone. In short, using the USB port has its advantages.
For those who want to intensively switch to Apple CarPlay wireless there is, however, an alternative. In fact, on the market you can find theAlpine iLX-107, a receiver dedicated precisely to the Apple standard. But be careful: to be able to install it you need the 2DIN predisposition since you will have to insert it in the car dashboard. The price? Not too low: get ready to spend about 700 euro.
Tagsapple Apple CarPlay Apple CarPlay Wireless iphone Apple CarPlay Wireless all compatible cars
