CarPlay FaceTime: What You Need To Know!

FaceTime is a favorable app that has been around for more than a decade. 

This application lets you connect and chat with friends, family, and coworkers through video calls. 

However, many people don’t realize that you can also use FaceTime with CarPlay.

CarPlay FaceTime allows you to connect your phone to your car with Bluetooth and make a video call using the FaceTime app. CarPlay FaceTime automatically connects to your vehicle, just like regular audio-only calls. However, the camera is disabled for the driver by Apple as a safety feature.

The rest of this article will explain everything you need to know about CarPlay and FaceTime, so you can better understand these applications and ultimately upgrade your driving experience by taking advantage of the features technology provides.

How to FaceTime on CarPlay

Before using FaceTime through CarPlay, you need to properly set up CarPlay with your vehicle.

Make sure that your car model works with CarPlay before you try connecting. Apple provides an extensive list of different cars that use CarPlay. You can also check your vehicle’s instruction manual if you need any assistance. 

You can also check if your car’s compatible with Wireless CarPlay for added benefit. 

Here are some steps you can take to set up CarPlay in your vehicle:

1. Start your car and stay in park.
2. Connect your phone to your vehicle using a CarPlay USB cable or a wireless connection through Bluetooth.
3. Go to Settings.
4. From Settings, click on General and find CarPlay.
5. From CarPlay, you can select your car.

If you’re still having trouble connecting your phone to your car, here’s a YouTube video that Honda created to help you set up and use CarPlay:

After setup, your phone will automatically connect to your car so you can use CarPlay.

However, this isn’t the case if your vehicle doesn’t offer wireless connectivity. 

If your car doesn’t use Bluetooth, you might need to manually connect it using a USB cable. 

Otherwise, your phone should connect to your vehicle automatically.

Using the FaceTime CarPlay App:

With your phone connected to CarPlay, you can answer FaceTime calls through your car instead of your actual iPhone. 

You can take FaceTime calls the same way you would answer regular calls– you just can’t use the camera because Apple disables it while you’re driving.

So it’ll come through as “FaceTime audio”.

CarPlay FaceTime Not working: Troubleshooting

Here are some quick solutions that you can try if you’re having trouble using FaceTime and CarPlay:

• Make sure your phone is properly connected to your car. If your car doesn’t use wireless connections, you need to connect your phone with USB instead of relying on automatic Bluetooth connectivity.

• Ensure that your settings allow CarPlay to be used while locked. You can reach this setting by going to General and then pressing CarPlay, and then you can toggle the option “Allow CarPlay While Locked.”

• Install the latest software update. You should always check to see if your phone is fully-updated to ensure that you’re getting all the latest features– and to ensure that these features actually work.

• If you’re using a USB cable, make sure it’s plugged in all the way. If your cable isn’t plugged in completely, this can contribute to connectivity issues.

• Make sure your USB cable isn’t damaged. If you’re relying on a physical cable rather than a Bluetooth connection, a damaged cord might make it difficult for your phone to connect and use CarPlay with your vehicle. Anker Powerline+ is an excellent well-trusted lightning cable to choose from if you want to replace your lighting cable. As seen below:

• Make sure that you’re not muted while using FaceTime. While this seems like a simple solution, the most common cause behind audio issues with CarPlay FaceTime is an accidental mute-button press or the CarPlay volume is too low.

• Turn your phone off and start again. If all else fails, this is a troubleshooting classic. Restarting your phone might be able to reset any software glitches or problems.

• Restart your car. This option works similarly to restarting your cell phone.

If you still can’t hear sound consider doing a master reset and working your way through the various car components to find the issue.

Commonly Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about CarPlay FaceTime.

Is It Safe To Drive With CarPlay FaceTime?

It is safe to drive with CarPlay FaceTime, as long as you depend on the audio for your chat and keep your eyes focused on the road. Apple disables the camera for FaceTime calls that connect with CarPlay to protect you while driving.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make FaceTime calls. 

If someone calls you using FaceTime, the call can still connect to your car, and you can answer and chat. 

You just can’t use the face features on your end.

Can You Use Siri With CarPlay?

You can use Siri with CarPlay. Siri can be used in two ways, either with the voice command button on your steering wheel or by pressing the button on your radio system’s screen. With Siri, you can use your voice to ask questions and make commands to control CarPlay.

Siri can also make suggestions to improve the cooperation between you, your driving, and your schedule.

CarPlay FaceTime Camera Not Working?

Apple disabled the FaceTime camera while using CarPlay. This was done for safety reasons, as it is considered to be a distraction to look at your phone while driving. There is no way to enable FaceTime video calls while using CarPlay in its current version.

If you need to make a FaceTime video call while driving, you can do so by disconnecting your phone from CarPlay and using it as normal through the Facetime app.

This is the same for WhatsApp CarPlay, where audio will be used, but the video view won’t be visible.

Conclusion

CarPlay is an excellent way to improve your driving experience. 

It allows your phone to collaborate with your vehicle and make suggestions to make your user experience better. 

CarPlay allows you to use so many different features, one of which is the ability to answer FaceTime calls while you’re in the car.

While you can’t use your camera with CarPlay due to Apple’s built-in safety features, you can still answer a FaceTime call like a regular call and enjoy a good audio-based conversation while driving.