You can connect your phone to Uconnect three ways, a Bluetooth pairing for hands-free calls and audio, Apple CarPlay for iPhone, or Android Auto for Android. Here’s how to set up each one, wired and wireless, on Jeep, RAM, Dodge and Chrysler models.
Pair Your Phone by Bluetooth
- Park your vehicle and turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
- On the Uconnect touchscreen, tap the Phone icon (on Uconnect 5, choose Add Device or Settings).
- Select the option to add or pair a device. Uconnect becomes discoverable and may display a PIN.
- On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and choose your vehicle from the list. It appears as “Uconnect” with your model.
- Confirm the PIN matches on both screens, then accept.
- When prompted, allow contacts to sync and set the phone as your priority device. You’re connected.
Set Up Apple CarPlay (Wired and Wireless)
Wired: Make sure Siri is on (Settings > Siri & Search). Plug your iPhone into the USB data port, usually marked with a phone or CarPlay symbol, not a charge-only port, using an Apple-certified cable. CarPlay opens on the screen; tap the CarPlay tile if it doesn’t launch on its own.
Wireless (supported Uconnect 5 models): Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your iPhone. On the Uconnect screen, open the Phone or Apple CarPlay tile, select Add Device, and follow the prompts to pair. After first setup, CarPlay reconnects automatically each time you get in.
Set Up Android Auto (Wired and Wireless)
Wired: Install or update the Android Auto app from Google Play. Plug your phone into the USB data port with a quality data cable, then follow the on-screen prompts and grant the permissions your phone requests. Android Auto opens on the display.
Wireless (supported Uconnect 5 models with a compatible phone): Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, pair the phone by Bluetooth or connect once by USB, accept the Android Auto prompt, then unplug. It reconnects wirelessly from then on.
Troubleshooting: Phone Won’t Connect or Won’t Stay Connected
- Check the port and cable. For wired CarPlay or Android Auto, use the USB data port and a certified data cable. A charge-only cable or port won’t start either system.
- Restart both. Toggle Bluetooth off and on, restart your phone, and cycle the ignition.
- Re-pair from scratch. “Forget” the vehicle on your phone, delete the phone from Uconnect, then pair again. This clears most drop-outs.
- Update software. Keep your phone’s operating system and your Uconnect software current.
- Trim the paired list. Too many stored phones can make Uconnect grab the wrong one. Remove old devices and set yours as the favourite.
- For wireless, confirm Wi-Fi is on, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto rely on it behind the scenes.
A Note on Models and Years
Menu names and wireless availability vary by model and year. Wired CarPlay and Android Auto arrived on many 2017-and-newer Jeep, RAM, Dodge and Chrysler models with the Uconnect 4/4C system, while wireless CarPlay and Android Auto come with the newer, Android-based Uconnect 5 on recent model years. Tile names may differ slightly, but the pairing flow is the same. Systems from before 2016 generally don’t support CarPlay or Android Auto.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my vehicle have wireless CarPlay?
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto come with the Uconnect 5 system on supported, newer model years. On the earlier Uconnect 4/4C system, CarPlay and Android Auto connect through the USB port. Check your Software Version under Settings, or ask us to confirm.
Why won’t my phone stay connected?
The usual causes are a charge-only cable or port, out-of-date software, or too many paired devices. Use a certified data cable in the data port, update your phone and system, remove old pairings, and set your phone as the priority device.
Can I connect two phones at once?
You can pair several phones by Bluetooth, but only one is the active phone for calls, and only one runs CarPlay or Android Auto at a time. Switch the active device in the Phone settings.
Do I need a special cable?
No special cable, but you do need a data-capable one, an Apple-certified cable for iPhone, or a quality USB-C or micro-USB for Android, plugged into the USB data port. Charge-only cables won’t start CarPlay or Android Auto.
Which Uconnect version do I have?
Open Settings and look for System Information or Software Version. Uconnect 5 has an Android-based, highly customizable layout with driver profiles; Uconnect 4/4C uses the earlier interface. A 4/4C system can’t be upgraded to 5.
Need a Hand?
Still stuck, or want it set up right the first time? Bring your vehicle to the Sherwood Dodge team and we’ll pair your phone and configure CarPlay or Android Auto with you in person. Visit us at 230 Provincial Ave, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0E1, or call 780-410-4100.
