How to Add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to Your Car

Add hands-free tech to older automobiles with these three options.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Sep 1, 2023 | 3 min read

Aaron Miller | Capital One

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are two hands-free ways to access the entertainment, navigation, and communications capabilities of your smartphone without the risks, dangers, and potential legal consequences associated with using a mobile device while driving your vehicle.

Unfortunately, many older automobiles don't have the touchscreens necessary to make using either of these systems a simple pair-and-go solution.

A lack of touchscreen, however, doesn't mean you are locked out of the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay universes entirely. Here are three methods that should get you connected with one of these interfaces regardless of the age of your vehicle.

Android Auto Over Bluetooth

If your car or truck doesn't have a touchscreen or doesn't feature Android Auto support, you can still make use of the application by using your phone as the interface.

The Android Auto app features larger buttons and simplified menus of popular apps such as Spotify and Google Maps that you would see on a vehicle's infotainment screen. It also allows interaction using voice commands for true hands-free use while driving. All it takes to benefit from this implementation of Android Auto is a phone mount and a Bluetooth connection to your vehicle's stereo system.

Stand-Alone Portable Infotainment System

In your pursuit of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity, you can add a portable infotainment system to the mix in your vehicle. Intended as a bridge between your phone and your stereo system, these touchscreens connect to your existing stereo system using either Bluetooth or a hard-wired connection.

These can then connect wirelessly to your phone, allowing you to project the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay functionality onto its display. These systems mount on the windshield or dashboard and can even be powered via the 12-volt outlet in your vehicle to avoid any wiring work behind the dashboard.

Replacement Head Units

For those who prefer a more integrated Android Auto or Apple CarPlay experience, the best option is to replace your vehicle's stereo head unit with a modern aftermarket touchscreen. In some cases, it might be possible to replace your existing head unit with an upgraded factory design that includes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity or even access a software upgrade that makes these systems available.

This can be a challenge on some older models, which might only have a single DIN installation slot in the dashboard. The term single DIN refers to a standard stereo size — approximately 2 inches tall and 7 inches wide — that was used for many years. The downside in the modern touchscreen era is this size doesn't offer enough room for a usable screen.

The solution in this case is to seek out an aftermarket single-DIN unit that features a fold-out screen that flips up from the head unit when in use, assuming that the screen won't block the windshield or any heating and cooling vents. If your vehicle offers a double-DIN slot — about 4 inches tall and 7 inches wide — you have a wider range of choices available. This setup provides enough dashboard real estate to house a traditional touchscreen.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.