CarPlay Do I need to upgrade my car if iPhone goes portless

[podfrog]

If Apple drops the port what happens to cars with wired CarPlay? Will MagSafe to USB-A be a thing? Will I need to upgrade my car?

I like CarPlay. I like new iPhones. Not planning on buying a new car soon and would hate to lose USB CarPlay if the iPhone dropped the port. Hoping for some data over MagSafe solution. Any rumours about that?

 

[AZhappyjack]

If Apple drops the port what happens to cars with wired CarPlay? Will MagSafe to USB-A be a thing? Will I need to upgrade my car?

I like CarPlay. I like new iPhones. Not planning on buying a new car soon and would hate to lose USB CarPlay if the iPhone dropped the port. Hoping for some data over MagSafe solution. Any rumours about that?

If you want CarPlay and Apple does, in fact, go portliness, then you will need a head unit that does wireless CarPlay.

Depending on your car, you may or may not be able to do so. My 2020 Escape Titanium has a screen that stands up pretty much in front of the dash... so if that happens, not sure what I will do... however, as long as your phone has the lightning port (or USB-C), you should be ok...

I've seen the stories that Apple wants to go port-less... but I am not convinced that it will happen for a while...

You would still be in control of the situation - just don't upgrade your phone to a port-less model until you're ready to buy a new car.

 

[podfrog]

If you want CarPlay and Apple does, in fact, go portliness, then you will need a head unit that does wireless CarPlay.

Depending on your car, you may or may not be able to do so. My 2020 Escape Titanium has a screen that stands up pretty much in front of the dash... so if that happens, not sure what I will do... however, as long as your phone has the lightning port (or USB-C), you should be ok...

You would still be in control of the situation - just don't upgrade your phone to a port-less model until you're ready to buy a new car.

That's what I thought. Makes the usual $1k, "should I upgrade my phone choice" into somewhat of a bigger life decision.

 

[haralds]

There are wireless adapters, but folks have had varying degrees of success with them.
I prefer wired since it also charges the iPhone. Qi in the tray of my car is unreliable when the iPhone bounces. It also has no lag.
I would not hold my breath about losing the Lightning connector.

 

[flynz4]

Personally, I won’t buy a new car that doesn’t have wireless CarPlay for exactly this reason. I really dislike driving in any car that doesn’t have CarPlay, and I don’t want to lose CarPlay if Apple drops the port.

I do upgrade my phone every year, but I would stop upgrading if Apple dropped the wired connection because my car only supports wired Car Play. The wireless adapters seem to be ridden with interoperability problems. More of a toy for hobbyists than a consumer ready technology.

/Jim

 

[CTHarrryH]

Whole large thread on this forum about wireless converter - as others said -seems for work for some and some cars but not for others and constant issues with software upgrades needed.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Whole large thread on this forum about wireless converter - as others said -seems for work for some and some cars but not for others and constant issues with software upgrades needed.

Yes, for me, this is clearly not worth the effort required.

 

[flynz4]

Whole large thread on this forum about wireless converter - as others said -seems for work for some and some cars but not for others and constant issues with software upgrades needed.

As I think I posted in that thread. These wireless adapters are not a consumer solution. At best, they are a toy for a hobbyist.

/Jim