Researched from automaker information, owner forums and Amazon listings. Not a hands-on install.
Short answer: No Ram 1500 from 2017 or earlier has factory Apple CarPlay. Ram added CarPlay and Android Auto for 2018 on trucks with the Uconnect 4 7-inch or Uconnect 4C 8.4-inch radio. Trucks with the base 5-inch radio, including many later Tradesman and Ram 1500 Classic models, still lack it. For older Rams, our main pick is the IIWEY IK11 Pro 11-inch screen, since a full-size truck dash has room for it. If you want CarPlay on a factory-looking screen, a Uconnect radio upgrade kit is the better choice.
Does the Ram 1500 have Apple CarPlay?
On the Ram 1500, CarPlay depends on the radio more than the trim name. Here is the picture for US trucks, based on Uconnect support pages, dealer material, upgrade kit makers, and owner forums.
| Model years | Factory CarPlay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 and older | No | No CarPlay or Android Auto on any radio. |
| 2013 to 2017 | No | No CarPlay on any radio, including the Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen. |
| 2018 | Depends on radio | Added on the Uconnect 4 7-inch and Uconnect 4C 8.4-inch systems. Trucks with the base 3-inch or 5-inch radio do not have it. |
| 2019 and newer Ram 1500 | Most trims | The redesigned truck offers CarPlay with the 8.4-inch and 12-inch screens. Base work truck setups with the 5-inch radio usually lack it. |
| 2019 and newer Ram 1500 Classic | Depends on radio | Carries over the older truck. The 7-inch and 8.4-inch radios have CarPlay; the 5-inch radio does not. |
The quickest check is your screen. If it is small and does not show a CarPlay icon when you plug in an iPhone with a data cable, your truck does not have it.
Your options for adding CarPlay
There are three ways to add CarPlay to a Ram 1500 that lacks it. Ram owners have more factory-style options than most, because Uconnect radios from later trucks fit earlier ones.
Portable dash or windshield screen
A portable CarPlay screen is a standalone display that mounts on the dash or windshield, plugs into a 12V outlet, and connects to your phone wirelessly. Audio goes to the truck stereo through Bluetooth, an AUX cable, or an FM transmitter, depending on the model. These screens are car-agnostic, so none are built for the Ram specifically. Setup takes minutes and nothing in the dash changes.
Aftermarket head unit
This replaces the factory radio with a receiver from one of the major car audio brands. On a Ram, you need a dash kit, a wiring harness, and an interface that keeps steering wheel controls and other features tied into the truck's data network. Some Uconnect functions, such as climate controls on certain radios, live in the factory unit, so check what an interface keeps before you buy.
Factory (OEM) radio upgrade
This is the popular route for 2013 to 2018 trucks. Several companies sell factory Uconnect 4 7-inch, Uconnect 4C 8.4-inch, or Uconnect 5 radios with CarPlay, programmed to your VIN, with a matching dash bezel. Owner forum posts warn that the factory USB hub may also need replacing for CarPlay to work. Ram does not run this as a dealer program, but the parts are factory hardware. A radio upgrade is the better pick if you keep the truck long term.
| Option | Effort | Reversible | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable screen | Low, about 15 minutes | Yes, fully | Work trucks, fleet trucks, short ownership |
| Aftermarket head unit | Medium to high, dash and wiring | Yes, if you keep the factory radio | Owners who want aftermarket audio features |
| Uconnect radio upgrade | Medium, radio, bezel, and possibly USB hub | Yes, if you keep the old radio | 2013 to 2018 owners who want a factory look |
Our top picks for the Ram 1500
A full-size pickup dash is broad and deep, so a larger screen fits without crowding the windshield. These picks come from the screens we cover. For the full field, see our roundup of the best wireless CarPlay screens.
IIWEY IK11 Pro 11-Inch Wireless CarPlay Screen
Our main pick for the Ram 1500. It has an 11-inch laminated IPS touchscreen, 5GHz Wi-Fi, a 4K front dash cam, and a 1080p backup camera. A big screen is easier to read from a tall truck seat, and the Ram dash can hold it. Audio options include Bluetooth, AUX, and a built-in speaker.
The catch: IIWEY warns that this screen can block your view in smaller dashes. It suggests previewing the fit with a 9.45 by 5.83 inch paper cutout and mounting it low beside the steering wheel.
ZKQ 9-Inch Wireless CarPlay Screen
The pick for crew cab and long bed trucks that want a backup camera. ZKQ lists a 7-meter rear camera cable and names pickup trucks among the vehicles it fits. The 9-inch IPS screen runs at 1280 by 720, and audio goes out by Bluetooth, FM, AUX, or a built-in speaker. It ships with suction cup and adhesive mounts and supports over-the-air firmware updates.
The catch: there is no dash cam, and 9 inches looks small on a dash this wide.
IIWEY iK7 10-Inch Wireless CarPlay Screen
A middle choice if you want a dash cam without a tall screen. IIWEY lists the unit at 9.45 by 3.7 inches, so it is wide and short. It includes a 4K front dash cam, a 1080p backup camera, and a 64GB memory card, with Bluetooth, AUX, or FM audio.
The catch: the dash cam needs a clear view through the windshield, which limits mounting spots on a deep dash.
Installation tips for the Ram 1500
- Check your radio first. If you have a 2018 or newer truck with a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen, CarPlay may already be there. Plug in an iPhone with a data cable before buying anything.
- Find power. Owners of 2013 to 2018 trucks report 12V outlets in the lower center dash and inside the center console. Some outlets can be set to stay on with the engine off, so unplug the screen if your truck sits for days.
- Pick the audio path. Pair the screen to Uconnect over Bluetooth if your radio supports Bluetooth audio. Otherwise, use AUX or FM on screens that list them.
- Mind the deep dash. The Ram dash top sits far from the driver. A windshield suction mount or a dash mount near the center stack keeps the screen within reach.
- Plan the camera run. Route the backup camera cable along the headliner and down the back of the cab, then to the tailgate. Measure first, since crew cab long bed trucks need the longest cable.
- Plan for heat. A large windshield heats the dash fast. Shade or remove the screen in summer.
Frequently asked questions
What year did the Ram 1500 get Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay arrived for 2018 on trucks with the Uconnect 4 7-inch or Uconnect 4C 8.4-inch radio. Base radios did not get it.
Does the 2016 Ram 1500 have Apple CarPlay?
No. No 2013 to 2017 Ram 1500 has factory CarPlay, even with the 8.4-inch screen. You can add it with a portable screen, an aftermarket head unit, or a Uconnect radio upgrade.
Can I add a newer Uconnect radio to my older Ram?
Yes. Upgrade kits put a CarPlay-capable Uconnect radio and bezel into 2013 to 2018 trucks. Owners report that the USB hub may also need replacing.
Does the Ram 1500 Classic have CarPlay?
Only with the 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect radio. Classic trucks with the 5-inch radio do not have it.
Will a portable screen play through the Ram's speakers?
Usually, yes. The screens we cover send audio over Bluetooth or AUX, and some also offer an FM transmitter.
Bottom line
If your Ram 1500 is a 2017 or older truck, or a newer one with the 5-inch radio, it has no factory CarPlay. A portable screen such as the IIWEY IK11 Pro adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto in minutes and suits a full-size truck dash. If you plan to keep the truck, a factory Uconnect radio upgrade gives you CarPlay with a stock look.
CarPlay guides for other cars
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Chevy Silverado
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Ford F-150
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Honda Accord
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Honda Civic
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Honda CR-V
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to a Jeep Wrangler JK
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Nissan Altima
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Toyota Camry
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Toyota Corolla
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Toyota Tacoma