Apple CarPlay has made driving safer with voice access to smartphone apps and other features designed to keep you focused on the road. However, most vehicles require you to connect to CarPlay with a USB, and this could mean potentially overcharging your phone. So, is there a way to charge your phone with a wireless charger while using CarPlay?
CarPlay is compatible with wireless charging but only for iOS 9 and above. Wireless CarPlay also won’t work in all vehicles. Only cars with Bluetooth, in-car WiFi, and a built-in dual-band router will connect to CarPlay wirelessly.
Let’s look at why you should use CarPlay while driving, which vehicles support wireless CarPlay, and how to use wireless CarPlay with your vehicle. We’ll also consider alternate options to enable wireless CarPlay if your car’s stereo system doesn’t support it.
What Is Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is a software system that works with your car’s infotainment system to provide you voice access to many of your iPhone’s apps. CarPlay works with all Apple smartphones and comes pre-installed in the infotainment systems of most cars made after 2014. However, you can usually install CarPlay on your vehicle’s infotainment system if it’s not pre-installed.
CarPlay provides the same interface as your iPhone and allows you to access call and chat apps, navigation apps, and other apps through Siri’s voice command system.
Some older infotainment systems won’t work with voice control, but you can still access many apps using the control buttons on the steering wheel.
CarPlay allows you to make and receive calls without touching your phone while driving. You can also access popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. With some additional software on your iPhone, you can even access emails and streaming apps with CarPlay.
Another benefit of using CarPlay is that it enables your iPhone’s navigation system, allowing you to access saved places and use more accurate navigation. If you have an iPhone, CarPlay is almost necessary if you want to engage essential functions on your iPhone while driving safely.
Does Apple CarPlay Connect to Wireless Charging?
The latest vehicles have wireless CarPlay, which allows you to connect to wireless charging. However, many cars won’t support wireless CarPlay, even if they have Bluetooth connectivity, and you’ll have to charge your phone with a cable while driving.
If you have iOS 9 or above, you’ll be able to connect wirelessly to your car’s infotainment system, but only if your vehicle supports wireless CarPlay.
Even if you can access many of CarPlay’s features with voice controls, you’ll have to connect your iPhone to the car’s system with a cable (in most cars). Since the media cable will also charge your phone, it makes no sense to use a wireless charger if your car doesn’t support wireless CarPlay.
For a vehicle to be compatible with wireless CarPlay, it needs to have Bluetooth connectivity, in-car WiFi, and a built-in dual-band router to connect to CarPlay. While many of the latest vehicles have both in-car WiFi and Bluetooth, very few have the router hardware that is required to connect to CarPlay wirelessly.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get wireless CarPlay without changing your car’s infotainment system. However, if the vehicle has Bluetooth and CarPlay enabled, you can use it with Siri commands.
How to Set Up Wireless CarPlay
If your vehicle supports wireless CarPlay, you’ll be able to charge your phone with a wireless charger while it’s connected to the car. Follow these steps to enable wireless CarPlay in your vehicle:
- Go onto general settings on your iPhone and select ‘CarPlay.’
- Choose your car from the list of available vehicles. Make sure your vehicle’s infotainment system and Bluetooth are on.
- Put your car’s stereo on pairing mode. This step is slightly different according to your vehicle.
- Open CarPlay on your vehicle and see if it pairs with the iPhone. If the vehicle supports wireless CarPlay, it should automatically pair with the iPhone. If not, ensure the WiFi and Bluetooth are on.
Wireless CarPlay allows you to use voice commands, transfer data with Bluetooth, access navigation apps wirelessly and use a range of other features without touching your phone.
Is Charging Apple CarPlay Wirelessly More Efficient?
While your iPhone will charge when it’s connected to the vehicle via USB, using a wireless charger can be more effective in some cases. The latest wireless chargers, such as the Apple MagSafe (on Amazon), come with a 15 W power output, which will charge your phone faster than with a USB cable.
However, you’ll only benefit from the extra charging speed if your wireless charger has a battery. If you have to connect the charger to the vehicle’s infotainment system, it will take about the same amount of time to charge your phone as when the phone is connected directly.
When it comes to energy efficiency, charging your phone with a USB cable will waste less energy compared to charging it with a wireless charger. The wireless charger dissipates more energy, and even though it may charge your phone faster, it isn’t as efficient.
That said, wireless chargers are more convenient and safer, especially if you don’t want to get your hands tangled in cables while driving!
Will Using CarPlay With a Cable Affect the Phone’s Battery?
Many people avoid charging their phones fully since some phone batteries will last longer if they’re only charged up to 80%. While the latest iPhones don’t have this problem, many people still avoid leaving their phone connected to a power source when it’s fully charged.
However, if your car doesn’t have wireless CarPlay, you’ll have to connect your phone via USB.
Fortunately, using CarPlay via USB won’t affect your phone, even if the battery is fully charged. iPhones with iOS 13 and above will stop charging when the battery is full. You can also adjust these settings so that your phone stops charging at 80%.
So, even if you don’t have wireless CarPlay, there’s no need to worry about damaging your phone’s battery when using CarPlay with USB.
Does Wireless CarPlay Charging Work in Every Vehicle?
Aftermarket stereos have had wireless CarPlay charging for quite a while, but this feature has only become available recently in the built-in stereos of some vehicles.
Unfortunately, wireless CarPlay will only work in vehicles that support wireless CarPlay, and even vehicles that are CarPlay compatible need to connect via USB.
Some of the latest wireless chargers come with both data transfer and charging options and may be modified to connect to CarPlay in the future. However, they don’t have this feature yet and are only limited to data backups.
Another issue with wireless CarPlay is that not all cars that are compatible with it allow you to access all the features. In many vehicles, you’ll only be able to receive calls and use navigation. If you want to receive messages or use advanced CarPlay features, you’ll have to connect via USB cable.
If your vehicle doesn’t support wireless CarPlay, the best alternative is to get a stereo system that does. However, replacing the car’s original stereo system can be complicated and will cost you significantly. If you choose to replace the original stereo with a wireless charging compatible one, try the Alpine iLX-W650 (on Amazon) or the Kenwood DMX9706S (on Amazon).
While you could install a CarPlay wireless adapter, this option isn’t recommended as there are no verified adapters made by reputable companies. Using third-party devices from unverified suppliers can be a security risk for your phone, so it’s best to avoid these.
If your vehicle doesn’t support wireless CarPlay, your best bet is to wait until a software update from Apple enables this feature. However, since most vehicles that don’t support wireless CarPlay don’t work with wireless Android Auto either, you’ll have to get a vehicle that has the built-in hardware to support CarPlay or change your car’s stereo system.