Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Compatibility Checker
Does your car support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
In 5 seconds you'll know whether your car has factory Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and whether the Northly North-Link wireless adapter (R659) is right for you, or whether you can skip the upgrade entirely. Free, no signup, 616+ South African car models indexed with trim-by-trim verdicts.
Search Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Ranger, Ford Everest, VW Polo, VW Polo Vivo, VW Tiguan, VW Amarok, Hyundai i20, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Creta, Kia Picanto, Kia Sportage, Kia Seltos, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A3, Mazda CX-5, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Jimny, Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra XUV, Renault Kiger, Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max, Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Omoda C5, BYD Atto 3, GWM TANK 300 or any other car sold in South Africa.
How Apple CarPlay works in South Africa
Apple CarPlay is the official iPhone-to-car interface. Plug your iPhone in, or connect wirelessly on a supported car, and CarPlay's own interface shows up on your infotainment display, drawing from your iPhone's apps and data.
In South Africa, Apple CarPlay started showing up on showroom floors around 2018. Most new cars sold today include it, but the connection is usually wired, meaning you need a cable plugged into the USB port for it to work. Wireless CarPlay is a newer feature that ships standard on premium models, and Northly's wireless adapter retrofits it to any car that already has wired CarPlay.
Apple maintains the official global compatibility list at apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models. The list above is filtered to brands sold in South Africa.
How Android Auto works in South Africa
Android Auto is Google's equivalent for Android phones. Your phone's apps, navigation, music and messaging are projected onto your car's infotainment display, with a clean, driving-friendly interface. South Africa is an Android-dominant market, so Android Auto matters for most local drivers.
Like CarPlay, factory Android Auto in SA started arriving in volume around 2018. Older cars typically need a cable. The same Northly North-Link adapter that adds wireless CarPlay also adds wireless Android Auto: one device, dual protocol.
Google's official compatibility list lives at android.com/auto/compatibility. As above, our list focuses on the SA market.
What if my car doesn't have factory CarPlay or Android Auto?
Two paths exist. Most South African cars from before 2018 don't have either system from the factory. Your options:
- Aftermarket head unit: replace the car's stereo with a third-party unit that includes CarPlay/Android Auto. Costs R3,000-R12,000 plus installation. Usually voids the radio's factory warranty.
- Wireless adapter (only works if you already have wired CarPlay/Android Auto): the Northly North-Link plugs into the existing USB port and converts wired CarPlay or Android Auto into wireless. R659, plug-and-play, locally honoured warranty. See the North-Link adapter.
Important: the North-Link does not add CarPlay or Android Auto to a car that doesn't already have it. It only converts existing wired connections to wireless. If your car shows up as "no CarPlay, no Android Auto" in the search above, the adapter alone won't help.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my car has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
Three quick checks: (1) plug your phone into the car's USB port with a cable. If CarPlay or Android Auto starts up automatically, you have it. (2) Look in your infotainment menu for "Phone projection", "Apple CarPlay" or "Android Auto" entries. (3) Search your car above. We list 600+ SA models with verified compatibility and per-trim breakdowns.
My car only has wired CarPlay. Can I make it wireless?
Yes. The Northly North-Link adapter plugs into the same USB port you currently use for wired CarPlay or Android Auto. After a one-time pairing, you connect wirelessly every time you start the car. R659, ships from SA, real warranty. See the North-Link.
My car already has wireless CarPlay. Do I need an adapter?
No. The North-Link converts wired factory CarPlay to wireless. If your car already has wireless CarPlay or Android Auto from the factory, the adapter has nothing to add. The checker above shows which cars in SA already ship wireless from the factory.
Why does the checker say my trim might be different?
Some models, especially in SA, ship CarPlay only on higher trims. A Toyota Hilux Legend has factory CarPlay; a Hilux S doesn't. The checker breaks these down per-trim where the data exists. If you're not sure which trim you have, send Theron a photo of your dashboard on WhatsApp and he'll confirm in minutes.
Why is my car not in your list?
We focus on brands sold in South Africa. If you have a model that we missed, or a regional variant, send your car details on WhatsApp and we'll check Apple's and Google's official lists for you. WhatsApp Theron at Northly.
Why does my Tesla not show up?
Tesla doesn't support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on any model. Tesla uses its own infotainment system. There is currently no factory or aftermarket CarPlay solution for Tesla vehicles. The same applies to Rivian.
What about Chinese-brand cars (Haval, Chery, Omoda, BYD, GWM, Geely)?
Most BAIC, Chery, Omoda, Haval, GWM, Geely and BYD vehicles sold in SA today come with full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and the Northly adapter works in those cars. The narrow exception is a small number of older trims and specific variants. Quick self-check: plug your phone in with a cable. If CarPlay or Android Auto starts, you're good.
Where does this data come from?
The base list comes from Apple's and Google's official compatibility lists, then filtered to South African market vehicles and verified per trim against owner reports, manufacturer pages and brand confirmations. Each row is given a verdict (Buy, Verify First, Already Wireless, or Incompatible) so you know whether the North-Link can actually help you. Trust badge tells you our confidence level for that specific row.
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, made simple
If your car has wired CarPlay or Android Auto, the Northly North-Link converts it to wireless in 30 seconds. R659, in stock, SA delivery.
See the North-Link adapter
