Land Rover Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™: Setup, Features

Apple and Android users are in for a treat! Since 2019 when Jaguar Land Rover announced the addition of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ on select 2019 models as a part of the Smartphone Pack, there are now more Land Rover cars with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® than ever. Common apps include maps, music, phone, and messages. Certain functionality can even be controlled via the vehicle’s Voice Control once you pair your phone to your Land Rover, providing additional convenience.

Apple CarPlay® vs. Android Auto™

What is Apple CarPlay®, and what is Android Auto™? Both are smartphone mirroring systems that allow you as a driver to interact with key mobile apps through your vehicle’s touchscreen. They are simple and intuitive interfaces designed to minimize distraction while driving. There is not usually a difference in selection when it comes to shopping cars with Apple CarPlay® vs. cars with Android Auto™, as most vehicles will be built with compatibility for both systems. The main difference between Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ apps is which smartphones are compatible with which system:

• Apple CarPlay® is compatible with Apple mobile devices only, including iPhones and iPads.
• Android Auto™ is compatible with several different mobile devices, including LG, Google Pixel, Nexus, Samsung, and more.

How to Set Up Apple CarPlay®

Land Rover Apple CarPlay® is compatible with the iPhone 5 and above, running iOS 7.1 and above. Features include music, phone calls, Siri, messaging, and navigation. To access Land Rover Apple CarPlay®:

1. Connect your Apple device to a USB port in the Land Rover center console.
2. On the Land Rover InControl® touchscreen, select to launch your device with Apple Carplay®.
3. Unlock your mobile Apple device, and select “Allow” to use Apple CarPlay®.

Additional tips on how to use Apple CarPlay®:

• A Siri voice session can be started either from the Apple CarPlay® screen or through a long press of the steering wheel voice button.
• For best results, Apple devices should be updated to the latest iOS version.
• Be sure you are using a media USB cable and not just a charging USB cable.
• High-quality cables are recommended for Apple devices to enhance operation, ideally the cable that came with the phone.

How to Set Up Android Auto™

Land Rover Android Auto™ is compatible with Android phones running v5.0 (Lollipop) and above. Features include music, phone calls, Google voice support, messaging, and navigation. To access Land Rover Android Auto™:

1. Download the Android Auto™ app to your desired mobile device.
2. Connect your Android device to a USB port in the Land Rover center console.
3. On the Land Rover InControl® touchscreen, select to launch your device with Android Auto™.
4. Read the Land Rover on-screen prompt, and select “Understood” to use Android Auto™.

Additional tips for how to use Android Auto™:

• A Google voice session can be started either from the Android Auto™ screen or through a long press of the steering wheel voice button.
• You can also simply say “OK Google” to get handsfree help while your driving.
• Be sure you are using a media USB cable and not just a charging USB cable.

Which Models Offer Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™?

All 2020 Land Rover models offer Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and it comes as a standard feature in nearly all 2020 models–either as a stand-alone feature or under the Smartphone Pack label. Only the entry-level Discovery Sport offers it as an upgrade on the base trim level.

• 2020 Land Rover Range Rover — Standard Smartphone Pack
• 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport — Standard Smartphone Pack
• 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar — Standard Smartphone Pack
• 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque — Standard Smartphone Pack
• 2020 Land Rover Discovery — Standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport — Available Smartphone Pack
• 2020 Land Rover Defender — Standard Smartphone Pack

If you don’t have a 2020 model year Land Rover, know that any Land Rover models with the following features are smartphone compatible:

• InControl® Touch Pro™ or InControl® Touch Pro™ Duo
• Navigation, InControl® Apps™, and Wi-Fi connectivity

Can My Land Rover Be Retrofitted with Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™?

Yes! The Smartphone Pack can be retro-fitted on select 16, 17, 18, & 19 model year Land Rover vehicles. Land Rover Palm Beach is currently offering retrofit solutions for our existing customers. For more information on the Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ upgrade, please contact the Land Rover Palm Beach service department at 561-209-7000 or schedule a service appointment online.

Send and Receive Text Messages with Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™

There are many benefits to having Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and one of those is being able to send and receive text messages without having to take your eyes off the roads or your hands off the steering wheel.

Apple CarPlay® Text Messaging

Wondering how to send Apple CarPlay® text messages? You can use CarPlay to send, hear, and reply to text messages from your iPhone. You can ask Siri by saying something like:

• “Text mom.”
• “Text my husband.”
• “Read my text messages.”

You can also use your luxury vehicle’s built-in-controls to send and receive messages. Open messages in CarPlay, then do one the following:

• Hear unread messages or respond to a thread, and then select the conversation.
• Start a new conversation, and then select start a new message.

Android Auto™ Text Messaging

To send and receive Android Auto™ text messages, select the notification. Your message notification will show up at the top of the screen for a few seconds. If you rejected a message and need to see it again, go back to the notification center.

To send a text message:

• Say “OK Google” or select the microphone.
• Say “message,” “text,” or “send a message to,” and then the person’s name or phone number.
• Android Auto™ will ask you to say your message.
• Android Auto™ will repeat your message, and then you will confirm that it’s correct by saying “send” or you can say “change message” to make any changes or “cancel” to cancel the message.

For hangout messages, send and received your messages like you would a regular text message.

Missed a message? Any missed messages will appear as notifications on the notification center. Select the notification if you want to listen to your messages.

To reply to Android Auto™ text messages:

• Say “OK Google” or select the microphone.
• Say “reply,” and your reply will automatically be for the last text message that you received.
• Say your reply.
• Android Auto™ will repeat your message, and you will confirm that it’s correct by saying “send” or “change message” to make any changes or “cancel” to make any changes.

Let Land Rover Palm Beach Be Your Guide

For more information about Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™, such as compatible phones, software versions, and available apps, please visit www.apple.com/ios/carplay/ or www.android.com/auto/. You can also explore additional Land Rover features in person at Land Rover Palm Beach if you contact us to schedule a test drive near Jupiter!