Carplay (with or without Bluetooth enabled)

When using CarPlay, do you need the Blutetooth connected to do calls through the car's stereo system?

My co-worker drives a Focus RS but his entertainment system is also a SYNC 3. He says his BLUETOOTH is OFF when we talks through the vehicle's stereo system.

For reference, my phone's an Android.

Apple Devices

Apple Carplay -

This is where you get the the Apple Maps on the car's infotainment screen along with calls, text, Music and other compatible apps from your phone etc. This requires a wired usb connection. So you do NOT need Bluetooth for this.

There is another way to use Apple Carplay without physically connecting your phone to the car via a USB cable, but you have to purchase this add on gadget for it to work. (link below). I am no way connected to this company, I am just a tech savy guy so do a lot of research so I am Not promoting or marketing anything here. I do Not even have this product myself but know a few of my friends who do.

https://cplay2air.com/



Apple Phone For Just Calls, Music etc. -

Pair your phone to the car via bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, then Go to Add phone on the car's infotainment screen and just follow the on screen prompts (this is how I have connected my phone.). This does NOT require a wired connection. You can make and receive calls, use Siri to make calls (press and hold the speak button on the steering wheel to activate Siri), stream music through Bluetooth etc. But you will NOT get Apple Maps and the compatible apps on your phone. This is because Apple does Not support these other stuff via bluetooth for most brands. They do support wireless carplay for certain luxury
brands.

Android Devices

Android Auto -

This is the same as apple carplay but for Android devices and this end to end works without any cables. You can have a wireless connection via bluetooth and you can use all the features of android auto, Android supports wireless capabilities for android auto.

I hope this clarifies your query, let me know if you have any further questions.

I too am a bit of a tech savvy person. So I do appreciate the attention to detail above. If CarPlay fixes my glitches with the phone connection, I'm going to try out the workers connection. Thank you for sharing.

I played with the Android Auto a little more last night. I disabled Bluetooth on my phone and deleted Ford Explorer from my phone's Bluetooth pairing list. Here is where it got weird. It rebuilt the Bluetooth connection & forced connected the Bluetooth upon plugging in the USB cable.

Today I'm going to try again. But this time, I'll delete my phone from the Bluetooth list on the Explorer & the Explorer connection from my Bluetooth pairing on my phone.

Let's see if it forces another Bluetooth pairing upon a wired connection.