Turning off CarPlay is straightforward and typically involves disconnecting the USB cable or disabling the wireless connection in your car's infotainment system. The exact steps vary by vehicle, but the process is usually found in the smartphone or projection settings menu. If you only want to temporarily pause CarPlay without fully disconnecting, switching to a different audio source like radio is an effective method.
The most common way to deactivate a wired CarPlay connection is to simply unplug the USB cable from your car's port. For wireless CarPlay, you need to access your car's head unit (the main touchscreen display). Look for a settings or menu icon, then navigate to a section often called "Apple CarPlay," "Smartphone," or "Projection." Within that menu, you will see a list of connected devices. Selecting your iPhone will typically give you an option to "Forget" or "Disconnect" the device, which will turn off CarPlay until you choose to reconnect.
If your goal is to stop CarPlay from automatically launching when you start the car, you can manage this through your iPhone's settings. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap on your car's name, and select "Forget This Car." This will remove the pairing and prevent automatic connection.
Sometimes, you might just want to use your phone independently for a moment without the full CarPlay interface on the screen. In this case, you can switch your car's audio source to AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, or another input. This action often minimizes the CarPlay display without terminating the connection.
| Common Car Brand | Typical Menu Path to Disable Wireless CarPlay |
|---|
| Honda / Acura | Settings > Smartphone > Apple CarPlay > [Your iPhone] > Forget Device |
| Ford / Lincoln | Settings > Phone List > [Your iPhone] > Delete |
| BMW | COMID > Mobile Devices > [Your iPhone] > Disconnect |
| Toyota / Lexus | Setup > General > Apple CarPlay > [Your iPhone] > Remove |
| Hyundai / Kia | Setup > Device Connections > Apple CarPlay > [Your iPhone] > Delete |
If you continue to have issues, a simple reset of the car's infotainment system can help. This usually involves holding down the power or volume button for 10-20 seconds until the screen restarts. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the most accurate instructions tailored to your specific model and infotainment software version.
