Apple CarPlay on Aston Martin DB11, how to connect

With Aston Installations CarPlay kit, you can now use Apple CarPlay on Aston Martin DB11 that lets you access your iPhone apps like iTunes, Google Maps, Waze and Spotify through the infotainment screen of your vehicle. You can also make phone calls, send messages or use navigation with voice commands using Siri.

Aston Martin DB11 – (photo by Aston Martin)

Enable CarPlay and Siri on iPhone

You must have iPhone 5 or newer device with iOS 7.1 or newer version to use Apple CarPlay on Aston Martin DB11. Before you begin, ensure CarPlay and Siri are enabled on your iPhone. Also, make sure that the “Press Home for Siri” option is enabled under “Siri & Search” in settings.


If you can’t see CarPlay or Siri & Search under your iPhone settings, then go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps, and make sure both CarPlay and Siri & Search are enabled.

Connect iPhone to DB11’s USB port

  1. Connect your Apple iPhone to your Aston Martin DB11 USB port using an Apple-approved Lightning-to-USB cable.
  2. Accept Apple CarPlay terms and conditions, if any appear.
  3. Touch Allow on your iPhone when prompted. This allows the use of CarPlay with your DB11 while phone is locked.
  4. After a few seconds Apple CarPlay will launch on your DB11’s infotainment system.

CarPlay not working on Aston Martin DB11

If Apple CarPlay does not start on your DB11 when you plug in the USB cable, it can be due to a number of reasons:

  • CarPlay is disabled in your iPhone, go to ‘Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps’ and enable both CarPlay and Siri.
  • The Lightning-to-USB cable you’re using is defective. Try a different cable, preferably original Apple cable.
  • The CarPlay kit has malfunctioned, get your vehicle checked by Aston Installations.

Using Siri on Aston Martin DB11

Siri is Apple’s voice recognition feature that helps you to concentrate on the road while driving your DB11 as you can control the functions of the iPhone with voice commands.

The virtual assistant allows you to place phone calls, listen to and send text messages, play music on your iPhone, get directions and use other functions of your iPhone hands-free. You can even ask Siri for current weather conditions, stock prices or upcoming events on your calendar.

You can access Siri by holding down the home button located at the bottom left corner in the CarPlay app.

Hold home button in Apple CarPlay to start Siri.

If the Listen for “Hey Siri” function is enabled in your iPhone device under Siri & Search settings, you can also just simply say: “Hey Siri”. After hearing the audible alert, you can begin asking Siri for assistance.


For best results when using Siri, speak clearly and reduce background noise by closing the windows. Also, direct the air vents on dashboard so that they are not pointing towards the vehicle’s microphone.

Which DB11 models support CarPlay?

Aston Martin DB11 does not officially support Apple CarPlay, but with aftermarket CarPlay kit from Aston Installations you can use Apple CarPlay on the default infotainment screen of DB11.

Using Google Maps on Aston Martin DB11 with CarPlay

If your iPhone has iOS 14+ operating system, you can freely use Google Maps in Apple CarPlay on your DB11. Apple now allows the use of Google Maps in the home screen. Apple has allowed the competitor’s map service in its car application since iOS 12, but the homescreen that was newly introduced in iOS 13 in 2019 could not yet be equipped with maps. Here, users were still limited to Apple’s own map service. With iOS 14 that changes. Now CarPlay automatically selects the last service used for the view.

Using Waze navigation on Aston Martin DB11 with CarPlay

You can use Waze navigation app in CarPlay if you have iOS 12 or higher operating system installed on your iPhone. Download and install Waze app from App Store on your iPhone, then start CarPlay on your DB11’s infotainment system display. Then press Waze icon to launch the app.

Using Spotify on DB11

You can use Spotify to stream music on your DB11. Just install the Spotify app from App Store and its icon will appear in the infotainment display when CarPlay is active.

You can use voice commands to play music hands-free on Spotify with Siri. Just add “on Spotify” at the end so that Siri knows which service you’re referring to (e.g. “Hey, Siri, play my ‘Your Mix of the Week’ playlist on Spotify”).

Siri can play songs, artists, albums, playlists, podcasts, and more. You can also “like” music, ask what’s playing, and control playback (e.g. volume, skip song, play / pause).

Do not disturb while driving

When driving, keep your eyes on the road. A quick look at the navigation device is of course allowed in order not to miss the next junction. The “Do not disturb while driving” function can be activated so that your iPhone does not distract you with unnecessary notifications while driving your DB11. iOS 13 extends this option to CarPlay as well. On your iPhone go to Settings > Do Not Disturb, then scroll down and touch “Activate” under “Do not disturb while driving”.


Sort apps in CarPlay

You can sort CarPlay apps in your DB11 quickly and easily through your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > General > CarPlay, then select your vehicle under “MY CARS”. On the next screen you can rearrange app icons by touching and dragging them. You can also hide icons by touching the minus button on them.

Rearranging apps in Apple Carplay

Not all apps are compatible with CarPlay

If you think you can use all your iPhone apps in your Aston Martin DB11 with CarPlay, then you’re wrong. The selection of compatible applications is limited, and you have to live with restrictions, especially with messenger apps. iMessage and WhatsApp can be controlled almost exclusively via Siri. That means you cannot see your message history, but only have new messages read out to you or even dictate messages yourself.

The following apps can be used with CarPlay on your DB11, among others: Music, Phone, News, Podcasts, Audio books, Audible, Google Maps, Sygic TomTomGO, Whatsapp, calendar, Settings, Telegram, Waze, Spotify, TuneIn, Tidal, Pandora, Youtube Music and Amazon Music.

Video Demonstration

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with Aston Installations in any way. This article is just for informational purpose only. We do not endorse their products and services. If you choose to install their kit in your vehicle, you do it at your own risk.

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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Matthew Seymour
Matthew Seymour
2 years ago

I believe this is incorrect. The Aston Martin DB11 does not have CarPlay. I confirmed this with Aston Martin when buying mine and have double check and it is no where to be seen.

DB11 and Apple fanboy
DB11 and Apple fanboy
2 years ago

Hi Matthew. CarPlay is available on DB11s as an after market installation. This blog post will no doubt be collecting a lot of traffic for Aston Installations. Their kit looks good but I would be concerned this may invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty. I pick up my DB11 at the weekend – I’m told that Aston Martin dealers will be doing CarPlay retrofits as of early October. Price expected to be between 1k and 1400 to be fitted by Aston.