Apple CarPlay price: Is Apple CarPlay free?

In this article, you’ll get to know everything you need about Apple CarPlay’s price and other related costs.

Apple CarPlay is Apple’s proprietary app that brings the power of iOS to the in-car infotainment system and head unit.

The days when customers used to buy cars solely based on engine, capacity, and size are long gone.

These days, users demand cars with excellent infotainment (information and entertainment) systems.

Apple CarPlay allows you to use your iPhone while driving carefully. CarPlay brings the user interface and apps of your iPhone to your car’s infotainment system.

It gives you the freedom of accessing your phone directly from the car.

Does CarPlay cost anything?
Is Apple CarPlay free to use?
Do all cars offer CarPlay compatibility?
1. Which car brands are offering CarPlay features?
2. Can you buy CarPlay separately?
What iPhone models are compatible with CarPlay?
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Wrap up on how much is Apple CarPlay

While CarPlay completely replaces your car’s stock infotainment system, it brings the necessary apps along.

The essential apps included with CarPlay include maps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze), music (Spotify, Apple Music, and others), Phones, and Messages.

Does CarPlay cost anything?

Apple does not charge you anything for using the CarPlay app on your iPhone. However, some car manufacturers ask for a subscription fee to unlock CarPlay features.

Most notably among car manufacturers, BMW used to charge all the customers a fee for the integration of CarPlay into the vehicle.

The company first introduced CarPlay in 2016 and charged a $300 fee for using it. Afterward, BMW started charging an annual subscription fee of $80 for offering CarPlay compatibility.

According to Apple, the company does not charge car makers any licensing fee to use CarPlay. BMW stated that the price was the cost of integrating CarPlay into the vehicle.

Consumers were not happy about this, and finally, in December 2019, BMW decided to waive the subscription fee for CarPlay.

Is Apple CarPlay free to use?

What’s the price of CarPlay? As for the app itself, the Apple CarPlay app costs you nothing. It comes integrated with your iPhone OS.

However, the cost of using the application in your car depends on the car brand you own.

In most of the newly manufactured cars, CarPlay support is included by the automaker.

If you own an older model car, it does not mean that you cannot use CarPlay. There are different car stereo products from various companies that offer CarPlay integration.

The cost of such systems ranges from $300 to $1000 depending on the brand, model, screen size, and offered features.

The most notable manufacturers for CarPlay receivers include Kenwood, Alpine, JVC, Pioneer, and Sony.

You can select a system that suits your needs and obtain it to bring the power of your iPhone to your car and enjoy all the fantastic features CarPlay has to offer along with the added safety.

Apple CarPlay software download and requirements

Do all cars offer CarPlay compatibility?

Apple first launched CarPlay in 2015, and since then, car manufacturers have also been making cars with built-in CarPlay support.

Which car brands are offering CarPlay features?

Since its development, CarPlay has been through numerous changes. With the launch of iOS 13 in September 2019, Apple brought significant changes to the CarPlay app.

The company changed the overall look of the user interface (UI) and added numerous apps that could be used with CarPlay.

Brands like Chevrolet, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, GMC, Kia, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen, Lincoln, Porsche, Volvo, and others are providing CarPlay-enabled cars for some years.

If you want to want to access the complete list of all car models that offer the CarPlay feature, visit Apple’s full list of models.

Can you buy CarPlay separately?

Even if you own a car that does not have the CarPlay compatibility you can get aftermarket CarPlay supportive in-dash systems.

Companies like Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, and Alpine offer systems that are compatible with CarPlay, at affordable prices. In fact, around 90% of the new cars sold in the United States have CarPlay enabled.

What iPhone models are compatible with CarPlay?

Every iPhone model, since the Apple iPhone 5, with a minimum of iOS 7.1, has CarPlay compatibility. If you own an older model, you might want to upgrade your phone to enjoy the benefits of this amazing feature.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Can Apple CarPlay be installed aftermarket?

Yes. There are several brands specialized in aftermarket head units that design and produce devices specifically for almost every brand and model.

There are also a bunch of universal 2-DIN systems compatible with older cars.

Does Ford support Apple CarPlay?

CarPlay is available on all Ford models equipped with the SYNC 3 multimedia system. Apple CarPlay is the best way to connect your iPhone to your new Ford.

Is Apple CarPlay free on Toyota?

From November 1, 2019, existing owners of the Granvia, Hiace, Prius, and RAV4 models will be able to upgrade their infotainment systems for free, while for Camry, Corolla, and Prius the upgrade will be costing $199.

Is Apple CarPlay free on BMW?

BMW became the first carmaker to make Apple CarPlay a subscription service in July 2019, with customers having to pay a fee of £85 for a full year, £255 for three years, or £295 for unlimited access.

Now, it’s free and all 2021 BMW models also get the car keys integration which will be a huge bonus.

Can you install Apple CarPlay on any car?

There are several aftermarket head units compatible with CarPlay. The manufacturers offer a big array of products compatible with many car models from a variety of brands. There is also a great offer on 2-DIN universal CarPlay radios available.

So yes, you can virtually install CarPlay on any car, even on older models.

What is an Apple CarPlay head unit price?

It starts at around 100$ for the cheaper 2-DUN universal units and can go up to more than $500 for a model-specific head unit with full integration with the console.

Wrap up on how much is Apple CarPlay

Nowadays, most manufacturers offer CarPlay compatibility as standard. The demands for these kinds of systems are increasing as both the drivers and the car brands are tirelessly wanting safer approaches for the use of smartphones while driving.

The beauty of the system is that you can use the CarPlay interface to ease your action. In some cases, you can even take advantage of the steering wheel controls.

Voice command is also a great future that will become more and more mainstream in the next few years.

Having a navigation system in your car was quite expensive a decade ago and updates could cost more than a smartphone.

If it happens that you own an older vehicle, you can still benefit from CarPlay integration. There are a bunch of brands producing aftermarket head unit options to universally fit most cars.

So, you can buy Apple CarPlay head units for your older cars too.

And what’s more? Apple CarPlay is free!

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