Apple CarPlay on GMC Terrain, how to connect

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

Apple CarPlay on 2021 GMC Terrain

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 GMC Terrain. 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 Terrain

CarPlay must be enabled in your Terrain’s infotainment system settings before you can use it. This can be done by selecting Settings, then open Apps tab and make sure that Apple CarPlay is turned on.

Apple CarPlay enable / disable option under Settings > Apps in infotainment system

Wireless CarPlay on Terrain

  1. To connect Apple CarPlay wirelessly on GMC Terrain, go to Settings and then Bluetooth on your iPhone.
  2. Touch Phone icon on the home screen of Terrain’s infotainment system.
  3. Next touch Connect Phone, and then Add Phone.
  4. Select your vehicle’s name, which usually is myGMC, in the Bluetooth settings discovery list on your iPhone.
  5. Touch Pair when “Bluetooth Pairing Request” pop-up message appears on your phone with six digit code. Touch Pair on the screen of your Terrain as well.
  6. Then touch Allow on “Allow Contacts and Favorites Sync” prompt if you want to download your phone contacts to the Terrain’s infotainment system.
  7. Touch Continue on Terrain’s touchscreen when asked if you want to start CarPlay.
  8. Then a prompt will automatically appear on your iPhone: “Use CarPlay with GMC?”. Touch Use CarPlay.
  9. After a few seconds wireless Apple CarPlay will launch in your vehicle. If it doesn’t, touch the Apple CarPlay icon on home screen.

CarPlay via USB

  1. Connect your Apple iPhone to your GMC Terrain USB port using an Apple-approved Lightning-to-USB cable.
  2. Touch Allow on your iPhone when prompted. This allows the use of CarPlay with your Terrain while phone is locked.
  3. CarPlay will launch automatically on the infotainment system display.
USB data port location on GMC Terrain

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 Terrain 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.

Apple CarPlay on the home screen of GMC Terrain’s touchscreen will illuminate when you connect your iPhone to the vehicle via USB – touch it to launch CarPlay.

CarPlay not working on GMC Terrain

If Apple CarPlay does not start on your Terrain 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 Terrain.
  • 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 Terrain does not support CarPlay. Try other USB ports.
  • A software glitch is responsible for the CarPlay problem. Reset the Terrain’s infotainment system to its factory settings.
  • You’ve an older model of Terrain that does not support Apple CarPlay. Only 2018 and later model year GMC Terrain vehicles are compatible with CarPlay.

Using Siri on GMC Terrain

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

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

Voice command button on the steering wheel of GMC Terrain – press and hold to launch Siri virtual assistant while CarPlay is active in the infotainment system.

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

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 and moonroof. Also, direct the air vents on dashboard so that they are not pointing towards the vehicle’s microphone.

Which Terrain models support CarPlay?

2018 and later model year GMC Terrain vehicles are compatible with Apple CarPlay. Wireless Apple CarPlay is available in 2022 and later Terrain models.

Using Google Maps on GMC Terrain with CarPlay

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


Using Spotify on Terrain

You can use Spotify to stream music on your Terrain. 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 Terrain. 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”.

Not all apps are compatible with CarPlay

If you think you can use all your iPhone apps in your GMC Terrain 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 Terrain, 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 Terrain 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

Watch this video to see how to connect wireless Apple CarPlay on GMC vehicles
Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

Good afternoon,
I saw your article in Wheels Joint explaining how to connect to Apple Car Play wirelessly in the 2021 terrain. However The feature isn’t working. Are you sure it’s supported in all 2021 terrain?
Thanks!
[message sent to author email]

Alfonso Hayes
Alfonso Hayes
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Wireless CarPlay is supported in all trim levels on 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. 2021 was incorrect, I have corrected the article. Sorry for any inconvenience.

The GMC Terrain was originally scheduled for a model refresh with the 2021 model year. However, as a result of complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the refresh was pushed back to the 2022 model year. Wireless Apple CarPlay only comes with second generation facelift model.

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

2012 terrain have carplay?