The three ways to connect your phone to your car

You can connect your phone to your car through Bluetooth, a USB cable, or a car mount with an aux cable. Bluetooth is wireless and works from anywhere in the car. A USB cable gives you a wired connection that charges your phone at the same time. An aux cable (a thin 3.5mm jack) connects your phone's headphone port to your car's audio system, though it does not charge the phone and does not give you access to your car's screen.

Which method works for you depends on what your car has, what your phone has, and what you want to do — make calls, play music, see navigation on the car's screen, or some combination. Most cars made after 2010 have Bluetooth built in. Most phones made after 2015 have Bluetooth but no headphone jack. If your car is older or your phone is older, your options narrow.

Key Takeaways

  • Bluetooth is the most common method and requires no cable — you pair your phone once in your car's settings, then it connects automatically when you get in.
  • USB cables work in newer cars and phones, charge your phone while connected, and let you see navigation and music controls on your car's screen.
  • Aux cables work in almost any car and phone but only play audio — they do not charge and do not show information on your car's display.
  • If your phone has no headphone jack and your car has no Bluetooth, you will need a USB-C or Lightning to 3.5mm adapter.

Connecting via Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the easiest method if your car supports it. Turn on Bluetooth in your phone's settings, then look for your car's Bluetooth menu — usually in the infotainment system (the screen in your dashboard) or in a physical button labeled Bluetooth or Phone. Your car will show a list of nearby devices. Select your phone's name from that list. Your car may ask you to confirm a pairing code on both devices, or it may pair automatically.

Once paired, your phone will connect to your car's Bluetooth every time you get in and turn on the car. You can then make and receive calls through your car's speakers and microphone, play music from your phone through the car's audio system, and in many newer cars, see navigation directions on the car's screen. If your car has a touchscreen, you may also see your phone's contacts and recent calls.

If Bluetooth does not work, check that both devices have Bluetooth turned on, that you are within 30 feet of the car, and that your phone is not already paired to another car or device. If your car is very old, it may not have Bluetooth at all — check your owner's manual or look at the infotainment screen to confirm.

Connecting via USB cable

A USB connection works in most cars made after 2015 and requires a cable that matches your phone's charging port — USB-C for most Android phones, Lightning for iPhones. Plug one end into your phone and the other into the USB port in your car, usually located on the dashboard, center console, or inside the armrest.

Your phone will charge while connected, and your car's screen will show your phone's contacts, recent calls, and music apps. Navigation apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps will display on your car's screen, and you can control them using your car's touchscreen or steering wheel buttons. Some cars require you to confirm the connection on your phone the first time you plug in — look for a prompt asking permission to access your phone's data.

USB connections are more reliable than Bluetooth for navigation and music control because they use a wired connection. However, not all cars have USB ports, and some older cars have only USB-A ports (the rectangular ones) that do not charge phones directly. If your car has only USB-A, you will need a USB-A to USB-C or Lightning adapter.

Connecting via aux cable

An aux cable is a thin cord with a 3.5mm jack (headphone-sized plug) on both ends. Plug one end into your phone's headphone jack and the other into the aux input on your car's stereo, usually labeled AUX or AUX IN. Your phone's audio will play through your car's speakers.

Aux cables work in almost any car and phone combination, including very old models. They are cheap and reliable. However, they only play audio — you cannot see your phone's screen on your car's display, make hands-free calls, or charge your phone. You also have to hold your phone or mount it separately if you want to see the screen.

If your phone has no headphone jack (most modern phones do not), you can buy a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter for under $15. Plug the adapter into your phone's charging port, then plug the aux cable into the adapter.

What to do if your car has no Bluetooth and no aux input

Some very new cars have only USB and no aux input. Some very old cars have neither. If your car has neither Bluetooth nor aux, your options are USB (if your car has a USB port) or a Bluetooth receiver you can buy separately.

A Bluetooth receiver is a small device that plugs into your car's aux input and receives audio from your phone via Bluetooth. They cost between $20 and $60 and work with any phone and any car that has an aux input. Plug the receiver into the aux jack, turn it on, pair your phone to it the same way you would pair to a car, and your phone's audio will play through the car's speakers.

If your car has no aux input and no USB port, you are limited to an aux cable with an adapter (if your phone has a headphone jack) or a phone mount and speaker you place in the car separately.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your phone will not pair to your car's Bluetooth, first make sure Bluetooth is on in both devices. Restart your phone and your car's infotainment system by turning the car off and on. If that does not work, "forget" the car from your phone's Bluetooth settings, then try pairing again. Look in your phone's Bluetooth menu, find your car's name, and select "Forget" or "Remove".

If your phone pairs but does not play audio, check that your phone's volume is not muted and that the car's audio input is set to Bluetooth, not AM/FM radio or aux. Some cars have a physical button or menu option to switch inputs. If you are using a USB cable and your car's screen does not show your phone's apps, try unplugging and plugging back in, or restart the car's infotainment system.

If an aux cable produces no sound, make sure both ends are plugged in firmly, that your phone's volume is up, and that the car's audio input is set to aux. Try a different aux cable if you have one — cables can wear out or break inside the jack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Bluetooth and aux at the same time?

No. Your car's audio system can only play from one input at a time. You have to switch the input manually using a button or menu. However, you can have your phone paired to Bluetooth and still plug in an aux cable — just switch to aux when you want to use it.

Will connecting my phone drain its battery?

Bluetooth uses very little battery. A USB connection will charge your phone while driving. An aux cable does not charge. If you are worried about battery, use USB or Bluetooth and keep your phone plugged in when the car is running.

Do I have to pair my phone every time I get in the car?

No. Once you pair via Bluetooth, your phone will reconnect automatically every time you get in the car and turn it on, as long as Bluetooth is on in both devices. USB and aux connections do not require pairing — just plug in and it works.

What if my car is older and has no Bluetooth or USB?

Use an aux cable if your car has an aux input. If your phone has no headphone jack, buy a USB-C or Lightning to 3.5mm adapter. If your car has no aux input at all, buy a Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the aux jack, or use a separate phone mount and speaker.

Can I connect two phones to my car at the same time?

Most cars can pair multiple phones to Bluetooth, but only one can be connected and playing audio at a time. If two phones are paired and both are in the car, the car will usually connect to whichever one was most recently used. You can manually switch by going into your car's Bluetooth settings and selecting a different phone.