Apple CarPlay on Ford Fusion, how to connect

Ford Fusion supports Apple CarPlay that lets you access your iPhone apps like iTunes, Google Maps and Spotify through the touchscreen of your vehicle. You can also make phone calls, send messages or use navigation with voice commands using Siri.

Ford Fusion second generation – (photo by Ford)

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 Ford Fusion. 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.

Enable CarPlay in Fusion

You may first have to enable Apple CarPlay in your vehicle’s infotainment system settings before you can use CarPlay.

Connect iPhone to Fusion’s USB port

  1. Connect your Apple iPhone to your Ford Fusion USB port using an Apple-approved Lightning-to-USB cable.
  2. Confirm any prompts that may appear in your vehicle and on your iPhone.
  3. CarPlay will launch automatically on the infotainment system display.
USB port on Ford Fusion is located at the front of center console in the recessed area

If CarPlay does not start automatically after you plug in the USB, then touch its icon in the list of apps in the infotainment display.

If you’re unsure which USB port supports CarPlay on your particular Fusion variant, then consult your vehicle’s owners manual – or you can try plugging in the cable, one by one, in all the USB ports in dashboard and center console.

CarPlay not working on Ford Fusion

If Apple CarPlay does not start on your Fusion when you plug in the USB cable and there is no CarPlay icon in the list of apps in the infotainment system, it can be due to a number of reasons:

  • CarPlay is disabled in the infotainment system settings of your Fusion.
  • 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 connected USB port on your Fusion does not support CarPlay. Try other USB ports.
  • A software glitch is responsible for the CarPlay problem. Reset the Fusion’s infotainment system to its factory settings.
  • You’ve an older model of Fusion that does not support Apple CarPlay. Only 2017 and later model year Ford Fusion vehicles are compatible with CarPlay.

Using Siri on Ford Fusion

Siri is Apple’s voice recognition feature that helps you to concentrate on the road while driving your Fusion 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.

Voice command button on Ford Fusion

To access Siri, press and hold the talk button on the steering wheel of your Fusion until you hear Siri tone.

You can also access Siri by holding down the bottom left button in the CarPlay app.

Which Fusion models support CarPlay?

2017 and later model year Ford Fusion vehicles are compatible with Apple CarPlay.

Using Google Maps on Ford Fusion with CarPlay

If your iPhone has iOS 14+ operating system, you can freely use Google Maps in Apple CarPlay on your Fusion. 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 Ford Fusion 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 Fusion’s infotainment system display. Then touch Waze icon to launch the app.

Using Spotify on Fusion

You can use Spotify to stream music on your Fusion. 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 Fusion. 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”. You can now switch on the automatic activation for CarPlay.

Not all apps are compatible with CarPlay

If you think you can use all your iPhone apps in your Ford Fusion 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 Fusion, 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.

Sort apps in CarPlay

You can sort CarPlay apps in your Fusion 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.

Video Demonstration:

Video Demonstration 2:

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com