How to Disable Apple CarPlay in Your Car

Apple argues that its CarPlay system makes driving safer and more convenient by reducing distractions, but not everyone agrees on this statement. AAA recently concluded that using a system like CarPlay (or Google’s rival system, Android Auto) reduces driver reaction time more than (eye for data) alcohol or marijuana. Seen from this perspective, there are circumstances when disabling Apple CarPlay makes a lot of sense.

CarPlay’s functionality has two components that make it operational: the car and the iPhone itself. You must enter the settings of both to disable CarPlay and stop any automatic playback service every time you connect your phone to the car. Apple does not make it easy to disable this system, possibly because they assume that no one will want to disable it … or perhaps because the best thing for the company is that you use the system as often as possible. But it is possible to disable it by following the steps shown below.

Modifying iPhone settings

Modifying iPhone settings

When the iPhone is connected for the first time to a USB port of a vehicle that supports CarPlay —or it supports the wireless connection of this system— the device will alert the user with a pop-up on the screen that asks if the phone should allow CarPlay is active while the screen is locked. It may seem like saying “no” here will disable CarPlay, but it only blocks the system connection when the device is locked. To completely disable CarPlay from your phone, you must follow the steps below:

iPhones with iOS 13

  1. Open Settings
  2. Select Screen time
  3. Choose Content and privacy restrictions
  4. Enable restrictions and then go to Allowed apps
    and disable CarPlay

iPhones with older iOS versions

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to General
  3. Go to Restrictions
  4. Enable restrictions and enter the system password
  5. Move the CarPlay selector to off

It is also possible to temporarily disable CarPlay from the iPhone by selecting CarPlay from the Settings menu and going to General , selecting the vehicle currently in use, and choosing to disable / remove it from the list. This change will not permanently eliminate the ability to connect, but will require the user to approve the use of the vehicle when reconnecting next time. If the user chooses not to accept the connection to CarPlay, the phone will only charge when it is plugged into the car jack each time.

Modifying settings on the vehicle

CarPlay

On the vehicle side, many automakers have included an option to disable Apple CarPlay. Ford, for example, has made it easy to disable functionality in its vehicles. The Sync 3 system, for example, allows users on several of Ford’s new models to disable CarPlay by first going to Preferences and then selecting the currently connected iPhone. The system will allow the user to disable the CarPlay capabilities of that specific phone.

Other manufacturers take a slightly different approach: In this way, Jaguar asks the user how they would like their phone to relate to the infotainment system when connected to the vehicle. Users can choose to connect with CarPlay or another method and can make the system remember their choice if they want the option to stay on for some time rather than just a day of intense driving. To find out the exact method of disabling CarPlay through a vehicle’s dashboard, it is best to contact the manufacturer of your specific car for more information.

In any case, it is important that you know that this disability is completely reversible, in case you change your mind in the future. No matter what process you have deactivated this Apple system, it can be easily reversed. On the other hand, you can repeat this process as many times as you want since you will not cause any damage to the system. Do you dare to try it? If you think this system is a potential source of distractions, don’t hesitate; If, on the contrary – and as Apple thinks – you think that it will bring you more benefits than problems, you can reactivate it without problems.