CX-5 CarPlay Connectivity Issue

[Uncle_Zorro]

Hi everyone,

I'm having trouble connecting CarPlay to my Mazda CX-5 (2021) and could really use some help.

Initially, I thought the issue was due to an outdated firmware version (I was on 11026). Thanks to @Candurin , I successfully updated to 11048 — but unfortunately, that didn’t solve the problem.

Here’s what’s happening:

• I can connect my phone via Bluetooth and play music just fine.
• However, CarPlay doesn't activate — my phone doesn’t detect the car, and the car doesn’t prompt me to add a CarPlay device.
• I know there were previously connected devices (from the previous owner), but I’ve removed all of them.
• I've tried deleting and re-adding my phone as a device — still no luck.
• Bluetooth is definitely on and working, but no CarPlay screen appears, like I’ve seen in some tutorial videos.

My phone is an iPhone 16 running iOS 18.6.

Any advice or suggestions would be super appreciated!

 

[gobroncos]

I’m pretty sure CarPlay and android auto are wired only (via front USB port) in the CX-5. If you want wireless, you’d have to get an aftermarket adapter.

 

[ADS-B]

My car is from 2020 and it doesn't have bluetooth CarPlay/Android Auto, just through cable. So you might want to use a cable to connect your iPhone to the car and take advantage of the CarPlay.

 

[Uncle_Zorro]

I’m pretty sure CarPlay and android auto are wired only (via front USB port) in the CX-5. If you want wireless, you’d have to get an aftermarket adapter.

I would appreciate if you could send the link for a reference

 

[youri]

Mazda doesn't have wireless CarPlay in the 2021 CX-5. Now the reference you are asking for doesn't really exist. Because car manufacturers typically don't say "wired CarPlay" they only say CarPlay. The spec sheet typically will say "wireless CarPlay" when they want to advertise that the wireless function is available, but that is not a 100% rule.

Generally speaking though, the CX-5 brochure says: CarPlay, and the brochure for other Mazda models equipped with wireless CarPlay will say "wireless CarPlay".

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/mazda/2021-cx5.pdf

 

[RedBaron]

I would appreciate if you could send the link for a reference

I bought two different cheap ones - one for my wife's car, one for my daughter's. Both work fine and cost around $15 ea., but both now show as "currently unavailable" on Amazon. I'd suggest you just search for "wireless carplay adapter" on Amazon and read the reviews to pick one. (If it does Carplay, it will do AA too.)

Just for completeness, these are the ones we have:

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[Moonlighter]

On my other car (Mitsubishi Triton 4WD) I use the Ottocast adapter for wireless carplay. Works well, but takes about 40 seconds to connect.

My 2024 CX5 has wireless carplay and connects almost instantly.