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Before buying anything, check whether your car qualifies for a free update. Hyundai and Kia both ran programmes adding CarPlay to older cars by software, at no charge. Kia covered a range of 2014 to 2017 models with UVO3 or compatible navigation, Hyundai covered some 2015 and newer models.
Why these two share a page
Hyundai and Kia sit under the same parent company and share infotainment platforms, so the CarPlay situation is close to identical across both. Writing them separately would mean saying the same thing twice.
Your three situations
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Older car, no CarPlay on screen | Ask a dealer to check your VIN against the free software update. This was a genuine programme, not a rumour, and it costs nothing to ask |
| Wired CarPlay working | A dongle converts it to wireless |
| Newer car with the 12.3 inch ccNC system | Wireless CarPlay has been rolled out by software update. You may already have it, or need only an update |
A fair warning on the update programmes: they date from roughly 2016 and 2017, so whether they still apply is uncertain. Ask before assuming either way.
Not sure what your car has?
Three questions, about 30 seconds, and you will know whether an adapter helps before spending anything.
Check my car →The 30 second test
Plug your iPhone into the USB port with a proper data cable. If CarPlay appears, you have wired CarPlay and a dongle will make it wireless. If nothing happens, the car has no CarPlay and no dongle can add it.
If your car does have wired CarPlay, these are the adapters we rate. Prices move, so check before buying.
CarlinKit Mini Ultra 3 →OTTOCAST Mini Cube 3.0 →AAWireless TWO+ →Frequently asked questions
Did Kia offer a free CarPlay update?
Yes. Kia released a free CarPlay and Android Auto software update for a range of 2014 to 2017 models fitted with UVO3 or a compatible navigation system. Owners registered through the UVO site and were sent the update with installation instructions.
Did Hyundai do the same?
Hyundai offered a comparable free software upgrade adding CarPlay and Android Auto to some 2015 and newer models in the US.
Is the free update still available?
These programmes date from around 2016 and 2017, so availability now is uncertain. It costs nothing to ask a dealer to check your VIN before you buy hardware, and it is the first thing to try.
My Hyundai or Kia already has wired CarPlay. Can I make it wireless?
Yes, that is exactly what a dongle does. Newer models with the 12.3 inch ccNC system have also received wireless CarPlay through a software update.
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