The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the best electric vehicles in its segment, but does it offer Apple CarPlay support? Launched in 2021, the Ionic 5 is an electric compact crossover SUV that competes with the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y, among others. It is priced similarly to some of its competitors but is significantly cheaper than Tesla. Hyundai also offers OTA updates for the Ioniq 5, although companies like Audi, BMW, Tesla and others have long offered the same functionality in their EVs.
Most newer vehicles — both EVs and traditional internal combustion cars — offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, enabling both Android and iPhone users to mirror their smartphones to their car's infotainment system. Even when an automaker leaves out these features from their vehicles, it is only a temporary measure in most cases. For example, BMW is currently shipping cars without support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the company says it plans to add these features through a software update in the future.
The Hyundai Ionic 5 comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across all trims and models, but they do not offer wireless connectivity. In an era when even cheaper cars like Hyundai's own Elantra SE or the base model Kona offer wireless CarPlay and Android Auto support, it is a glaring omission that many Ioniq 5 customers have been venting against on social media. Many also point out the irony that the car has a wireless charging pad for smartphones but skips on wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Some online speculation suggests that the feature might be enabled with a software update later, but Hyundai has yet to confirm those rumors.
Enable Wireless Apple CarPlay On The Hyundai Ioniq 5
Thankfully, there are ways to enable wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on incompatible cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Dozens of third-party solutions are available on Amazon and other online retailers, promising to add wireless connectivity to vehicles that offer only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. One of the more prominent adapters that can add wireless Apple CarPlay functionality to cars is the CarlinKit 3.0, which connects to the iPhone seamlessly and works even with Kenwood, Alpine and Pioneer decks. It also has a newer 4.0 model that works with both CarPlay and Android Auto.
Circa 2022, almost all automakers offer Android CarPlay and Android Auto in their cars, whether wired or wireless. However, Tesla is an exception as it does not provide either system in its vehicles. However, an enterprising developer recently found a way to activate Apple CarPlay in all four current Tesla models, paving the way for Tesla drivers to use Apple's in-car infotainment system in their cars. In the case of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, there are ways to enable wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the vehicle as long as buyers are willing to throw some money at the problem.
Source: Carolina Hyundai