How to Connect Your Phone to Your Car

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow will teach you how to connect your phone to your car using a variety of methods from Bluetooth to AUX cables. If your car stereo has a system in place though, you can use features like Ford SYNC , UConnect , or Apple CarPlay.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Bluetooth

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Check to see in the owner's manual if your car supports Bluetooth; it should also tell you the steps you need to take in order to turn on pairing mode. Most likely, you'll find these options in connectivity and Bluetooth settings.
    • If your car does not support Bluetooth, you can use one of the other methods using an AUX or USB cable, or you can purchase a Bluetooth/FM adapter.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have Bluetooth set in your Control Panel (iPhone) or Quick Settings (Android), all you need to do to turn on Bluetooth is swipe up (iPhone) or down (Android) and tap the Bluetooth icon.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your car is still in pairing mode, you should see it appear in the list of available Bluetooth devices on your phone. [1]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some car stereos prompt for a passcode before the pairing is successful. If you're not prompted for this, skip this step. [2]
    • You'll get a notification or hear a tone from your car stereo that your connection was successful, and you'll be able to use your phone for calls and media via Bluetooth.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using an AUX Cable

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your car does not have an AUX port, you will need to use the methods that connect your phone to your car via USB cable or Bluetooth. You can also purchase adapters like cassette to AUX adapters.
    • The â…› jack (or 3.5mm jack) might be inside your arm rest if you can't find it on your stereo's face. A good indicator of whether you have an AUX port is if you have an AUX input button next to your AM/FM buttons.
    • If you have an AUX port, you can purchase an AUX cord from any retailer.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Using the AUX cable, connect one end to your car and the other end to your phone's headphone jack or headphone adapter cable. [3]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-7.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will change the input to the Auxiliary cable.
    • Any media you play from your phone, while you have the AUX cord plugged in, will play over your car's stereo.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a USB Cable

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-8.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your car does not have a USB port, you will need to use the methods that connect your phone to your car via AUX cable or Bluetooth.
    • The USB port might be inside your arm rest next to the AUX port if you can't find it on your stereo's face.
    • If you have a USB port, you can purchase a USB cable from any retailer.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-9.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Using the USB cable, connect one end to your car and the other end to your phone. [4]
    • Some newer cars and phones will automatically start Driving Mode, which signals to your phone that it is connected to a car; it will not distract you with notifications while you're driving. If you're not sure if your car supports CarPlay or Android Auto, [5] check your car's manual. [6]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-10.jpg\/aid11984451-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Phone-to-Your-Car-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will change the input to the USB cable. [7]
    • Any media you play from your phone, while you have the USB cord plugged in, will play over your car's stereo.
    • Some cars also have multiple USB ports and not all of them transmit data like music. So if your phone and car don't connect, try another USB port.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      Why Are Your Beats Not Showing Up on Bluetooth? Here's How to Fix It
      How to
      Wear Wireless Earbuds
      Use Your Bluetooth to Share Your Phone’s Internet Connection
      How to
      Share Apps on Android Bluetooth
      Connecting Bluetooth Headphones to a PC: Windows 10 + 11
      Does Your PC or Mac Have Bluetooth? 4 Ways to Check
      Connect Two Bluetooth Speakers to a PC or Mac at the Same Time
      How to Connect a Bluetooth Speaker to a Computer
      How to Use a Bluetooth Dongle on Windows or Mac
      Pair Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds on iPhone & iPad: 6 Easy Steps
      How to Stop Other Devices From Connecting to Bluetooth
      How to
      Pair a Bluetooth Device on Windows
      3 Reasons Your AirTag Might Be Beeping & 5 Quick Ways to Fix It
      How to
      Sync Plantronics Headset
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075925?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204091
      3. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00048972/
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102521
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348029
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102521
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/androidauto/answer/6348029

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Put your car's stereo into pairing mode.
      2. Enable Bluetooth on your phone.
      3. Tap your car's name in the Bluetooth devices list.
      4. Enter or confirm the passcode (if prompted).

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 86,743 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement