How to Connect an iPhone to a Car: Bluetooth, Cables, and More

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Learn how to connect or pair your iPhone to your car
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Most modern car stereos already support connection to iPhones. This way, you can be sure that you can always listen to your favorite music or use your phone hands-free whenever you are driving. In this article, we go over five ways you can connect your iPhone to your car stereo. Keep reading to learn more.

Connecting an iPhone to a Car

To connect an iPhone to a car stereo, you can use Bluetooth, an AUX cable, a USB cable, an FM transmitter, or a cassette tape adapter. If your car doesn't have Bluetooth, consider one of the other options if your car has the appropriate port or plug. Most cars are compatible with an FM transmitter.

For popular FAQs on hooking up an iPhone to a car stereo, jump to more common questions .

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Connect Using Bluetooth

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  1. Read the owner’s manual to see if your head unit supports Bluetooth connectivity. You can also look for the Bluetooth logo on the stereo itself, indicating that the feature is supported.
  2. Press the menu button on the car stereo to find the Bluetooth pairing menu. Check your car stereo’s manual if you do not know how to enable your car stereo’s Bluetooth.
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  3. This is usually turned off to save battery. There are a couple of ways to turn Bluetooth on:
    • Open the Settings app, tap "Bluetooth," then toggle Bluetooth on.
    • Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Bluetooth button to turn it on.
  4. As long as your car stereo is in pairing mode, you should see it listed in the available Bluetooth devices. It may be labeled with the stereo name, or it may say something like "CAR_MEDIA."
  5. If your stereo requires a passcode to connect, it will be shown on the stereo's display during the connection process, and you'll be prompted to enter it on your iPhone. Enter the passcode to connect.
  6. Open your iPhone’s music app to start playing your music on your car’s entertainment system. If you place or receive a call, your car speakers will act as your iPhone speaker and you will hear the voice of the person you’re talking to. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Connect Using an AUX Cable

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  1. Look at the face of your car’s head unit and check if there’s a 3.5 mm audio port, similar to the headphone port your iPhone has. Car stereos have built-in auxiliary ports to support MP3 players, smartphones, and other music-playing devices.
    • Check your car stereo’s manual if you can’t find or are unsure whether the head unit has an auxiliary port.
  2. An audio auxiliary cable is a type of cord connector that has an audio jack on each end that lets you connect any music-playing gadget to any electronic device that has an auxiliary port.
  3. Plug one end of the audio auxiliary cable into the headphone port of your iPhone. Take the other end of the cable and plug it into the auxiliary port on the car stereo.
  4. Press the menu button on your car stereo and set it to auxiliary (AUX) mode. This will allow your car stereo to receive any information coming from your iPhone.
    • Check your car stereo’s manual if you do not know how to set your specific car stereo to auxiliary mode.
  5. Open your iPhone’s music app to start playing your music on your car’s entertainment system. If you place or receive a call, your car speakers will act as your iPhone speaker and you will hear the voice of the person you’re talking to.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Connect Using a USB Cable

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  1. Look at the head unit (where your radio is) or inside the center console (between the driver's and passenger's seat) and check if there’s a USB port, similar to what you have on your computer. Some modern car stereos have built-in USB ports to allow playing music from flash drives.
    • Check your car’s stereo manual and see if it supports iPhone connectivity. Not all car radios with USB ports support iPhone connectivity, so check your head unit’s manual first.
  2. Plug one end of your iPhone’s Lightning or USB-C cable into your phone. Take the other end of the cable and plug it into the USB port on the car stereo.
    • Make sure you're using a data cable. The cable that came with your iPhone is a data cable, but you might need a different cable if your car only has a USB-A port (the wider USB).
  3. Press the menu button on your car stereo and set it to USB or iPhone mode. This will allow your car stereo to receive any information coming from your iPhone. Most car stereos will automatically change to iPhone or USB mode the moment you connect your iPhone to it.
    • If your infotainment center supports CarPlay, tap or select the CarPlay option that appears on the menu after connecting your iPhone.
    • Check your car stereo’s manual if you do not know how to set your specific car stereo to USB or iPhone mode.
  4. Open your iPhone’s music app to start playing your music on your car’s entertainment system. If you place or receive a call, your car speakers will act as your iPhone speaker, and you will hear the voice of the person you’re talking to.
    • If you're using a CarPlay infotainment center, you can do a lot more than play music and make phone calls. See Use Apple CarPlay for more details. [2]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Connect Using an FM Transmitter

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  1. 1
    Purchase an FM transmitter. FM transmitters are devices that allow you to play your phone through an unused FM radio frequency. They come with a device you can connect to using Bluetooth or a provided dongle.
  2. 2
    Turn your car on and find an FM station that isn't being used. Most FM transmitters will allow you to use any frequency between 88.1 and 107.9 FM, but check your transmitter's manual to make sure.
    • As you drive, you might need to change radio stations if your chosen frequency is used in a different area.
  3. 3
    Plug the FM transmitter into your car. Transmitters usually get plugged into the lighter port.
  4. 4
    Tune the FM transmitter to the same frequency that your car radio is on. Use the buttons or dials on the transmitter to adjust it to the correct frequency.
  5. 5
    Connect your phone to the transmitter. Depending on the FM transmitter you've got, you can do this one of two ways:
    • Plug the dongle into the headphone jack of your phone. If your phone doesn't have a headphone jack, you'll need to use an adapter.
    • Use Bluetooth to connect your phone to the FM transmitter by going to Settings > Bluetooth and tapping on the transmitter.
  6. 6
    Start playing music or making calls. Depending on the transmitter you've purchased, it may have features that allow you to easily answer calls or change songs. Refer to your transmitter's manual for specific instructions, as each transmitter is different.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Connect Using a Cassette Tape Adapter

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  1. 1
    Purchase a cassette tape adapter. If you have an older car, it might still have a cassette tape player. If so, you can use a cassette tape AUX adapter to play music in your car.
  2. 2
    Insert the cassette tape adapter into your cassette player. Make sure you insert it with the cable coming out of the opening. The adapter will only fit into the cassette player one way.
  3. 3
    Plug the AUX cable into your phone. If you don't have a headphone jack on your phone, you'll need to get an adapter.
  4. 4
    Start playing music or making calls. The cassette tape adapter will play any audio on your phone over the car radio, but it won't come with any bells and whistles. You'll still have to manually change songs or place/accept phone calls.
    • As such, make sure you only use this adapter if you have someone else in the car to help with your phone or don't touch your phone after you start driving, as distracted driving is dangerous and illegal in most states.
    • Check the laws for the area you're in to be sure when you can use your cell phone in the car. For example, in the United States, Florida allows you to use your cell phone if your car is stationary [3] , and Montana has no restrictions on cell phone usage at all. [4] However, avoiding distracted driving is the safest option no matter what is legally allowed.
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Common Questions: Pairing an iPhone to a Car

Why won't my iPhone connect to the AUX in my car?

Make sure you're updated to the latest version on your iPhone, and restart it. If that doesn't work, make sure your car supports AUX. Try using a newer cable in case the current cable is damaged.

How do I pair my iPhone to my car?

You can pair your iPhone to your car using Bluetooth if your car supports it. Open the Bluetooth menu in your iPhone's settings and in your car's display. Tap your car's name, and enter a code if necessary. How do I turn on the AUX in my car?


This will vary depending on your car model. Older cars require you to tune into a certain FM frequency, while others have a setting you can enable in the audio settings. If you're still unsure, consult your vehicle's manual.

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Tips

  • Check your head unit’s manufacturer website and download the owner’s guide for your car stereo if you no longer have its manual with you.
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  • If your car head unit doesn't support any of the methods above, you may need to update your stereo or buy a new vehicle.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102521
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/iphone/iph6860e6b53/ios
  3. ↑ http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.305.html
  4. ↑ https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-remains-the-last-state-with-no-statewide-texting-while-driving-ban

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    Aug 5, 2021

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