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How to add Apple CarPlay to any car without an installation

Updated Nov 9th, 2022 11:36AM EST
Image: Maren Estrada for BGR

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So many people out there are in search of a good Apple CarPlay screen for their car. If you already have CarPlay in your car or truck, you obviously know why it’s so desirable.

To be frank, the infotainment systems in most cars are terrible. Sure, they’ve been getting better lately. But not everyone is in the market for a new car. On top of that, why bother with a proprietary infotainment system when you can just access all the great apps on your iPhone? The same is true of Android Auto, of course.

If you don’t already have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in your car, we have something you need to see. It’s called the Car and Driver INTELLIDASH Plus. It adds CarPlay or Android Auto to any car in seconds, with no installation required.

And best of all, it’s on sale right now with a rare $100 discount!


Featured deals in this article:

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Amazon Logo See Pricing

Apple CarPlay screen for any car

The Car and Driver INTELLIDASH Plus is an ideal solution for anyone who doesn’t want a complicated installation.

Installing a built-in unit with CarPlay is nice, but not everyone wants to deal with the hassle. Plus, it’s not even possible in many cars these days. Streamlined interior designs mean traditional aftermarket single DIN and double DIN car stereos don’t work in many models.

Car and Driver’s awesome solution is here to save the day. In a matter of seconds, you have an Apple CarPlay screen for any car. All of the main features you would enjoy with built-in CarPlay are supported.

As a matter of fact, you’ll get extra features that aren’t even in normal CarPlay-equipped cars.

Examples include integrated SiriusXM support, YouTube, special Waze support, and more. Plus, the same can be said if you use Android Auto instead. And unlike similar solutions, this model also includes support for Android Auto, not just Apple CarPlay.

INTELLIDASH Plus quick review

We’ve been testing the Car and Driver INTELLIDASH Plus and it works quite well. It’s not exactly the same as having built-in CarPlay support in your vehicle, but this is as close as it gets. It’s also cool to be able to swap the unit from one car to another with ease.

Plus, there’s another version called the INTELLIDASH Pro that supports wireless CarPlay. Most people probably plug their phones into power anyway. But it’s nice to have the option to go wireless if you want to.

The INTELLIDASH Plus sells for $349.99, but it’s on sale right now on Amazon with a rare discount. That means you’ll pay $100 less than you would if you bought it at Walmart or another retailer.

Thanks to an instant discount, it’s listed for just $249.99 on Amazon. That matches this model’s all-time low price!

Meanwhile, the upgraded INTELLIDASH Pro with wireless CarPlay support retails for $399.99. Thanks to a $50 coupon, it’s down to $349.99 right now.

Amazon Logo See Pricing
Amazon Logo See Pricing

Car and Driver INTELLIDASH Plus fast facts

If you’re looking for an Apple CarPlay screen for your car, you’ve come to the right place. It also works with Android Auto and SiriusXM, so it’s a terrific all-in-one solution.

Here are the key takeaways:

  • Car and Driver’s INTELLIDASH Plus is a smart display for any car
  • Set it up in your new car or old car in just a few seconds — no installation required!
  • INTELLIDASH Plus comes with a suction mount that can be secured to your windshield or a flat part of your dashboard
  • It’s not a permanent installation, so you can move it between cars with ease
  • There’s also a shock-absorbing gel strip that you can put under the unit to prevent rattling
  • Add Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to any car with almost no effort at all
  • The stylish, easy-to-use touchscreen is nice and big so all of your smartphone’s features are crystal-clear
  • You can even use your phone’s voice assistant, like Siri, for hands-free features
  • Simply connect your iPhone or Android to the INTELLIDASH Plus via the USB port to enable CarPlay or Android Auto
  • It even charges your smartphone while you drive
  • This model is fully compatible with your smartphone’s AI voice assistant — use it to make calls, play music, and more
  • Integrated Bluetooth means you can also easily connect any device to stream music or podcasts to your car’s audio system
Amazon Logo See Pricing
Amazon Logo See Pricing

Already have a CarPlay screen in your car? Try this wireless CarPlay adapter

Does your car already have a CarPlay screen? That’s great, but many cars with Apple CarPlay require you to plug in your phone.

It’s simple enough to connect your iPhone to a Lightning cable, of course. But it’s also annoying when you know there’s a better option out there.

If you want a wireless CarPlay adapter for any car that already has wired CarPlay support, check out the CarlinKit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter. It’s so easy to set up, and it works great for the majority of users out there.

We told you all about it in our earlier wireless CarPlay adapter coverage, and all three versions are on sale right now with deep discounts.

Incredibly, CarlinKit’s wireless CarPlay adapters are down to new all-time low prices right now starting at just $67. That’s a phenomenal deal, so you should really try to take advantage of these discounts before they disappear.

  • The Carlinkit 3.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter converts any car with wired CarPlay so that it supports wireless CarPlay
  • Works with Audi, Porsche, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Honda, Peugeot, Chevrolet, Ford SYNC 3.4, Mazda, and more
  • Your car must have a factory-wired CarPlay system in order to work with this wireless CarPlay adapter
  • No more plugging your phone into your car with a Lightning USB cable
  • Play music, listen to podcasts, navigate with your favorite mapping app, and more — all through CarPlay with no cable needed
  • Compatible with every iPhone model from iPhone 5 and newer as long as it’s running iOS 7.1 or later
  • Initial connection from your iPhone to the Carlinkit 2.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter takes between 7 and 14 seconds depending on your car and iPhone model
  • Comes with a one-year warranty in addition to lifetime technical support
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon
Amazon Logo Available on Amazon

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Maren Estrada Deals Editor

Maren Estrada has been the Editor of BGR Deals since it launched in 2013. She has more than 20 years of experience testing more than 1,500 products, and reviewing a wide range of consumer electronics including mobile devices, smart home products, computers, and home appliances.

Previously, she was a leading consultant specializing in copywriting, product development, and new product launches.