Over the past few years, Apple CarPlay has become a game-changer in vehicle infotainment systems. The technology transforms your car’s display into an extension of your iPhone, enabling you to enjoy your favorite iOS apps directly on your car’s dashboard.
However, sometimes, you may encounter the frustration of Subaru’s Apple CarPlay not working as expected. If you’re experiencing this problem, you’re not alone. This guide provides an in-depth look at the possible reasons for this issue and outlines eight effective solutions.
Let’s get your Apple CarPlay back on the road!
Why Isn’t My Subaru Apple CarPlay Working?
There are myriad of reasons why Apple CarPlay might not be working in your Subaru. Some common culprits include:
- Software Updates Needed: Your iPhone’s iOS or your Subaru’s software may require an update.
- USB Connection Issues: The cable connecting your iPhone to the vehicle may be faulty or not properly plugged in.
- CarPlay Not Enabled: Apple CarPlay might not be enabled in your Subaru’s settings or on your iPhone.
- Network and Bluetooth Connection Problems: Issues with your iPhone’s network or Bluetooth settings can interfere with CarPlay’s functionality.
- Incompatible Apps: Not all apps are compatible with CarPlay, leading to functionality issues.
8 Solutions to Get Subaru Apple CarPlay Up and Running
1. Check for Software Updates
Ensure your iPhone’s iOS and your Subaru’s infotainment system are running on the latest software.
For your iPhone:
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Select ‘General’
- Tap on ‘Software Update’
- Install any available updates.
For your Subaru:
Consult your vehicle’s user manual or contact your local dealership to learn about the latest software updates and how to install them.
2. Inspect Your USB Connection
Always use an Apple-certified USB cable for optimal functionality. Non-certified cables can cause connection issues. Check your cable for any visible damage. If it’s frayed or broken, replace it. Make sure the cable is securely plugged into both your iPhone and your Subaru’s USB port.
3. Enable CarPlay in Your Subaru and iPhone Settings
Make sure Apple CarPlay is enabled in both your Subaru’s infotainment system and your iPhone.
On your iPhone:
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Scroll down and select ‘General’
- Tap ‘CarPlay’
- Make sure your Subaru is listed and selected.
On your Subaru:
Refer to your vehicle’s user manual to find out how to enable CarPlay on your specific model.
4. Reset Network Settings on Your iPhone
Network and Bluetooth issues can disrupt the connection between your iPhone and Apple CarPlay. Resetting network settings on your iPhone can help resolve these issues.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Select ‘General’
- Scroll down to ‘Reset’
- Tap ‘Reset Network Settings’
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
Note: This action will remove all your saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings. You’ll need to re-add these after resetting.
5. Try A Different USB Port
Some Subaru models come with more than one USB port. If you’re experiencing issues, try using a different USB port to connect your iPhone.
6. Turn off CarPlay While in Restricted Mode
If your iPhone is in ‘Restricted Mode,’ CarPlay might not work properly.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Tap ‘Screen Time’
- Tap ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’
- Go to ‘Allowed Apps’
- Ensure ‘CarPlay’ is turned on.
7. Restart Your iPhone and Your Subaru’s Infotainment System
When in doubt, restart. It’s a tried and true method that often works.
To restart your iPhone:
- For iPhones without a Home button, press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the slider appears.
- For iPhones with a Home button, press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn your iPhone off.
- After your iPhone turns off, press and hold the Side button (or Top button) again until the Apple logo appears.
To restart your Subaru’s infotainment system, refer to your vehicle’s user manual. The process can vary depending on the model and year of your Subaru.
8. Factory Reset Your Subaru’s Infotainment System
This should be your last resort, as a factory reset will wipe all the data from your infotainment system and reset it to the default settings. But if you’ve tried everything else and Apple CarPlay is still not working, it might be worth a shot.
The process for a factory reset will vary depending on your Subaru’s model and year, so refer to your vehicle’s user manual or contact your local dealership for guidance.
A Deeper Dive into Apple CarPlay on Subaru
While we’ve covered many aspects of troubleshooting Apple CarPlay issues with your Subaru, let’s take a step back and delve deeper into this powerful system, its features, benefits, and some additional solutions.
A Closer Look at Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is a remarkable piece of technology that integrates your iPhone with your car’s digital interface. With CarPlay, you can navigate directions, make calls, send and receive messages, listen to music, use Siri, and even access some third-party apps, all while focusing on the road.
However, it’s worth noting that not all apps on your iPhone are compatible with CarPlay. Only those that have been optimized for CarPlay will appear on your vehicle’s display.
Apple continually updates the CarPlay interface and adds new apps to its compatibility list, so it’s always good to keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS to take advantage of these improvements.
The Power of Siri with Apple CarPlay
One of the major benefits of Apple CarPlay is the integration of Siri, Apple’s voice-controlled assistant. This allows for hands-free operation of your iPhone’s functions, improving safety while driving.
If Siri is not functioning correctly, it can affect your CarPlay experience. Make sure Siri is enabled on your iPhone by going to ‘Settings’, then ‘Siri & Search’, and making sure all the Siri options are turned on.
Sometimes, issues with Siri can also be resolved by changing Siri’s voice feedback settings. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Siri & Search’ > ‘Voice Feedback’, and select ‘Always On’.
Alternative Connection Methods
While the most common method of connecting your iPhone to your Subaru for Apple CarPlay is via a USB cable, some newer Subaru models also support wireless CarPlay.
If your Subaru supports wireless CarPlay, and you’re having issues with the wired connection, you could try setting up a wireless connection instead.
To pair your iPhone with your car for wireless CarPlay, follow these steps:
- Go to ‘Settings’ on your iPhone
- Select ‘General’
- Tap ‘CarPlay’
- Select your car
- Check the manual for your car to see if you need to press a button on your car’s infotainment system to enable wireless CarPlay.
Note: Wireless CarPlay requires both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be enabled on your iPhone.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes, a simple refresh of your iPhone’s settings and connections can resolve CarPlay issues.
Refresh Your iPhone’s Cellular Connection: You can do this by toggling ‘Airplane Mode’ on and off. Go to ‘Settings’ and switch ‘Airplane Mode’ on, wait a few seconds, and then switch it off again.
Reset All Settings on Your iPhone: If other troubleshooting steps haven’t worked, you could try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This won’t delete your data, but it will reset all your settings to their defaults.
- Go to ‘Settings’
- Select ‘General’
- Scroll down to ‘Reset’
- Tap ‘Reset All Settings’
Warning: This will reset all your saved settings, including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards.
Final Words
Having access to Apple CarPlay in your Subaru can greatly enhance your driving experience, allowing for safer hands-free operation of many iPhone features. So, it’s understandably frustrating when it doesn’t work.
Fortunately, most issues can be resolved with a little troubleshooting. Whether it’s a simple software update, a faulty cable, or a more complex network issue, there’s likely a solution to get it back to its optimal functionality.
