Apple CarPlay on Honda CR-V, how to connect

Honda CR-V supports Apple CarPlay 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.

Honda CR-V – (photo by Honda)

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 Honda CR-V. 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 CR-V’s USB port

  1. Connect your Apple iPhone to your Honda CR-V USB port using an Apple-approved Lightning-to-USB cable.
  2. Touch Enable or Always Enable on next prompt. This prompt will not appear again if you select “Always Enable”.
  3. Touch Allow on your iPhone when prompted. This allows the use of CarPlay with your CR-V while phone is locked.
  4. After a few seconds Apple CarPlay will launch on your CR-V’s infotainment system.
USB data port location in Honda CR-V.

If you’re unsure which USB port supports CarPlay on your particular CR-V 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 in 2021 Honda CR-V.

CarPlay not working on Honda CR-V

If Apple CarPlay does not start on your CR-V 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 CR-V.
  • 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 CR-V does not support CarPlay. Try other USB ports.
  • A software glitch is responsible for the CarPlay problem. Try resetting the CR-V’s infotainment system to its factory settings.
  • You’ve an older model of CR-V that does not support Apple CarPlay. Only 2017 and later model year Honda CR-V vehicles are compatible with CarPlay.

If you still can’t connect CarPlay in your CR-V, then you should get your vehicle checked by an authorized Honda dealer.

Using Siri on Honda CR-V

Siri is Apple’s voice recognition feature that helps you to concentrate on the road while driving your CR-V 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 CR-V until you hear Siri tone.

Voice command button on the steering wheel of Honda CR-V – press and hold the button to launch Siri virtual assistant when 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.

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

Which CR-V models support CarPlay?

2017 and later model year Honda CR-V vehicles are compatible with Apple CarPlay.

Using Google Maps on Honda CR-V with CarPlay

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

Using Spotify on CR-V

You can use Spotify to stream music on your CR-V. 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 CR-V. 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 CR-V 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 Honda CR-V 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 CR-V, 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

Watch this video to see how to connect Apple CarPlay in Honda CR-V.
Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments