Do Ram trucks have Apple Carplay?
Dodge Ram trucks are great trucks and there is a reason why so many people love them. A lot of Dodge Ram truck drivers note that they love their Rams over the popular F-150. And since the Ford F-150 is the best selling truck, then well, that should tell you something. If you are looking into buying a Dodge Ram and the only thing stopping you is whether or not the Dodge Ram has Apple Carplay then you have come to the right place.
Let’s get started!
Do Ram trucks have Apple Carplay? Yes, 2018 or newer Ram trucks offer Apple Carplay. The next question is, do you really need it?
What is Apple Carplay?
Apple Carplay is another reason why Apple is always ahead of the game. It is an easier and safer way to drive while using your phone. Here is what Apple has to say about its Carplay:
CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone while you drive. You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and enjoy your favorite music. All on your car’s built-in display. And with iOS 14, CarPlay introduces all-new app categories and custom wallpapers for your CarPlay Dashboard.
With new digital car keys and the already seamless experience of Apple CarPlay, there are more ways than ever to take your iPhone on the road.
With car keys, you can now unlock and start your car with an iPhone. And CarPlay gives you the ability to safely use what you love about your iPhone while you drive.
Beginning with select new 2021 car models, you can now unlock and start your car with iPhone. Sharing keys with friends or family is easy too. You can also create restricted profiles, perfect for new drivers. Car keys will even work for up to five hours after your iPhone battery runs out.
CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone while you drive. You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and enjoy your favorite music. All on your car’s built-in display. And with iOS 14, CarPlay introduces all-new app categories and custom wallpapers for your CarPlay Dashboard.
As you can see, there is so much more Apple Carplay can do than simply play music. If you are an Apple fan, as in you have all the latest Apple gadgets then it is no wonder why you would want to add Apple Carplay to your list. Apple Carplay is super convenient and in typical Apple style, super easy to use.
Do Ram Trucks Have Apple Carplay?
Yes! Well, sort of. Okay, the short and sweet answer is yes Ram trucks do have Apple Carplay. The more complicated answer is, it depends on the year. The good news is, if you have a fairly new Ram model, we’re talking 2018 and newer then you are good to go.
However, if you have an older Ram truck model then you might not be as lucky. According to this article, titled, “Which Pickup Trucks Have Apple Carplay Android Audio,” the author notes that Ram trucks are on the list for Apple Carplay:
Ram introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into their trucks in 2018, however not all trim levels have it, so here’s a breakdown list. It depends on how the truck was ordered from the factory.
Likely, any 2018 RAM 1500 or newer truck with the 8.4″ touchscreen will have Apple CarPlay or Android. To be sure, here’s what the factory features availability list shows.
How Do I Connect to Apple Carplay on my Ram truck?
This is an excellent question and one that most people want to know.
Here is a step by step guide, given by Sahara:
- Turn Siri on by going to Settings > Siri & Search.
- Start your RAM 1500
- Plug your iPhone into the CarPlay USB port in the RAM 1500. If the CarPlay Home screen doesn’t appear, select the CarPlay logo on your car’s display.
- Plug your phone into your vehicle’s USB port if it requires a wired connection.
- If your car supports wireless CarPlay, press and holds the Voice Control button on your steering wheel to set up CarPlay. Make sure that your car is in wireless or Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Navigate to CarPlay on your iPhone (Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars) and select your RAM 1500.
- To use Siri through CarPlay:
- Press and hold the Voice Control button on your steering wheel, then speak to Siri as normal.
- If you have a touch screen, touch and hold the Home button in CarPlay until Siri appears on your display.
What is the difference between Apple Carplay and Android Auto?
This is a question that has been asked many times and we thought we should just answer it in case you were also wondering the same thing.
Both Apple Carplay and Android Auto put your smartphone’s interfaces on your car’s dashboard. It is basically like seeing your phone on the big screen in your car’s dashboard. Pretty cool, huh? We think so, and it seems a lot of people do as well.
Ram trucks have Apple Carplay?” class=”wp-image-15179″/>You can do anything you would do on your phone but this time, it is on your car’s dashboard. This is super convenient when you are driving and you are getting a call or if you are stuck in traffic and you want to check your messages or emails.
That is the gist of it but if you want a more professional answer, here is what the experts at Consumer Reports had to say:
Both Apple CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto systems put familiar smartphone interfaces on your car’s dashboard screen.
Instead of having to learn an entirely new built-in system, you can plug in your phone (or connect it wirelessly, in a few cases) and access the same navigation, streaming audio, and phone interfaces you can find on your smartphone. Both systems use large icons and slimmed-down functionality to minimize distractions while you’re driving.
CarPlay is available on almost all new cars, and Android Auto is currently unavailable on many vehicles—most notably anything made by BMW and Toyota. The new version of Android Auto is already out; the CarPlay update will come with iOS 13, a new operating system that Apple will release for iPhone 6S and later phones on Sept. 19.
In Conclusion | What Is Your Takeaway?
Well now you know that to have Apple Carplay, you need to have a fairly new model of the Dodge Ram trucks. This may come as bad news if you currently have an older model but if you would like to upgrade or trade-in your model, you can do that as well.
Just talk with your local dealerships and get the ball running. While having Apple Carplay or even Android Auto installed in your car is a bonus, it does not mean that it is a needed feature. Be sure to read all the fine prints on the cost and installation of both of these devices before deciding whether or not you want to bite the bullet.
However, if you are looking into buying a Dodge Ram and wanted to buy a model that has Apple Carplay then now you know. Anything 2018 and a higher, you are good to go. However, we would suggest double-checking with models since Dodge did note it is only for select models.
We hope that you found this article helpful and please feel free to pass it on to a friend or family member if you feel it might be helpful to them as well.