I'm at my wits end. New 2025 CX-5, iPhone SE iOS18.5. I am unable to launch Carplay! I believe I am connected by Bluetooth, because the car displays my phone contact list, and I can easily make phone calls with the car. But I am given NO OPTION to start up Carplay. I'm not ever even asked if I want to launch it. What's the secret? There are a few web videos around that allege to show how to do this, but I don't get what they get.

 

I would check the paired devices in the car's connectivity settings. See if it's disabled for your phone. If that doesn't work then delete the phone from bluetooth and try connecting it again. I'm not sure if it's still only certain trims that have wireless Carplay or all of them on the 2025 model year. Worst comes to worst, you can run CarPlay wired.

 

OK, that didn't work. I disconnected and reconnected Bluetooth. No joy. BUT, I did manage to get to a CarPlay starting screen at Settings. It says "Starting Apple CarPlay No selectable device found How to start Apple CarPlay -Connect via USB -Select the device you want to use." Duh? So it doesn't work over Bluetooth??? I will get the appropriate adapter tomorrow to do that connection BUT, does that mean that CarPlay will only work for me when the device is cable-connected? That would be a PIA. If you can connect via Bluetooth why would you ever need a wired connection? This makes no sense.

And now I see, from the manual "If Apple CarPlay™ does not support wireless connection (Some Models) Connect the iPhone® by inserting the Apple®-genuine connector cord to the USB port indicated by the mark."
So geez Louise, maybe my CX-5 cannot work with wireless CarPlay. But it DOES support a Bluetooth connection. Again, this makes no sense.

 

What trim level is your CX-5? The bluetooth is usually just for calls and audio when there's no wireless CarPlay equipped on the vehicle.

 

I think the trim level is 2.5 S, which doesn't mean a lot to me. That's interesting that Bluetooth is just for calls and audio.

 

From what I'm seeing, it should be standard on your car. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong otherwise. Are you doing the same steps as the video below?

 

Well, what this video shows is NOT what I see, and the car is telling me I need to connect the phone with a cable. I connect with Bluetooth, it says it's connected, and I see all my iPhone contacts and make calls, BUT, it does not say that it's starting CarPlay.

I may go to my dealer, and have them figure it out, but first I'll try cabling it up. May not get a chance to do that for a day or two. I do very much appreciate your help.

 

Very frustrating for us too! The next trim level up would cost $5000, and include wireless CarPlay and touchscreen radio. We had to use a wired connection until we learned you can buy a wireless adapter to plug into the USB slot. They cost about $50. Below is a link to the one we bought. And don't get me started on the unexpected problem of no Sirius XM satellite ready radio at this trim level. We need to use SiriusXM through our phone. And without a touchscreen radio (need $5000 trim level), it's an absolute pain to navigate everything with buttons and dials. I've never heard of a radio on a new car that's not SiriusXM ready. Is this the new norm on most cars unless you upgrade trim levels?

 

Thank you. That's very handy. The fact that you can connect to the car with Bluetooth, but can't do CarPlay wirelessly, is kinda nuts. It doesn't appear convenient to string a cable out of the USB port, which is hidden in the center box, so I guess I'll probably get that wireless adapter. I'm assuming that, with this device, you are automatically connected if your phone is within range (like for the Bluetooth connection on my CX-05). That is, if I want to use CarPlay, I don't want to have to screw around with my phone. Is that, in fact, the case?

 

Actually, you can connect wirelessly to a limited degree with Bluetooth, but not CarPlay with the model we have CX-5 (2.5 S Preferred package). I can still connect with calls, and actually Pandora too, but not for CarPlay, I need to either use a wired connection, or purchase the wireless adapter.
By default your phone will connect to CarPlay automatically when you start the car, if you have the wireless connector plugged in..