How to Add Apple CarPlay to Infiniti Q60
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Quick Answer
The right CarPlay solution for an Infiniti Q60 depends on its model year.
2017–2019: your Q60 does not have factory CarPlay. You need to add it with an integrated retrofit module, a portable CarPlay screen, or an aftermarket head unit.
2020–2021: factory CarPlay is already built in. If wired CarPlay works but wireless CarPlay doesn't, first check whether your Q60 can receive Infiniti's wireless CarPlay update. A wireless CarPlay adapter is another option.
2022: wireless Apple CarPlay is already standard, so you normally don't need an adapter.
Infiniti Q60 Apple CarPlay Compatibility by Model Year
| Infiniti Q60 | Factory Apple CarPlay | Factory Wireless CarPlay | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2019 | No | No | Add an integrated CarPlay retrofit, portable screen, or aftermarket head unit |
| 2020 | Yes | Wireless capability can be enabled on eligible vehicles | Check for the Infiniti wireless update; otherwise use a wireless adapter |
| 2021 | Yes | Wireless capability can be enabled on eligible vehicles | Check software/update status; a wireless adapter is another option |
| 2022 | Yes | Yes, standard | No CarPlay upgrade is normally needed |
A wireless CarPlay adapter will not add CarPlay to a 2017–2019 Q60 because those vehicles do not have the factory wired CarPlay connection an adapter requires.
INFINITI introduced Apple CarPlay integration with the 2020 Q60, while the 2022 Q60 received wireless Apple CarPlay as standard across all grades. INFINITI also issued a service bulletin covering 2020–2021 Q60s specifically to enable wireless Apple CarPlay.
Before buying an adapter or retrofit kit, check what your Q60 already supports. A wireless CarPlay adapter does not add CarPlay to a vehicle that has no factory wired CarPlay connection.
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Infiniti Q60 Apple CarPlay Compatibility by Model Year
The easiest way to determine what you need is to start with the model year.
2017–2019 Infiniti Q60
These Q60s do not have factory Apple CarPlay. A normal wireless CarPlay adapter will not add CarPlay because the factory infotainment system does not provide the wired CarPlay interface that the adapter requires.
Your main choices are:
-
an integrated CarPlay retrofit module
-
a portable CarPlay screen
- an aftermarket head unit or replacement screen
2020–2021 Infiniti Q60
These model years already have factory Apple CarPlay.
The question is whether your individual vehicle has wireless CarPlay enabled. INFINITI issued a software/service procedure for 2020–2021 Q60s that enables wireless Apple CarPlay, and some vehicles may require an infotainment software update first.
If your Q60 has wired CarPlay but not wireless CarPlay, you can either investigate the factory update or use a wireless CarPlay adapter.
2022 Infiniti Q60
Wireless Apple CarPlay became standard across all 2022 Q60 grades, including the Q60 PURE, LUXE and RED SPORT 400.
You therefore do not need a wireless CarPlay adapter just to get wireless CarPlay.
One important difference for Android users: INFINITI's 2022 Q60 documentation specifies wireless Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto is supported through the vehicle's USB connections.
How to Check If Your Infiniti Q60 Already Has CarPlay
Before ordering anything, connect your phone to the factory infotainment system.
On a 2020–2022 Q60:
- Start the vehicle.
- Connect your iPhone to the factory USB media connection using a data-capable cable.
- Watch the upper infotainment display for the Apple CarPlay prompt.
- Accept the prompt if it appears.
- Once connected, the Apple CarPlay home screen should appear on the vehicle display.
The 2020 Q60 quick-reference guide specifically instructs owners to connect an iPhone through the USB connection in the center console when wireless connection is unavailable. It also notes that the CarPlay interface appears on the upper display.
The Q60 uses a dual-display InTouch system, with an upper infotainment screen and lower display. The 2020 Q60 brochure identifies the system as a dual HD display, while the 2022 specification lists an 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower touchscreen.
What if you own a 2020 or 2021 Q60 but CarPlay does not appear?
Don't immediately buy aftermarket hardware.
First check:
- whether you are using the correct USB media connection;
- whether the phone is recognized by the vehicle;
- whether Apple CarPlay is disabled in the vehicle settings;
- whether the infotainment software is up to date;
- whether your vehicle is eligible for the Infiniti wireless CarPlay update.
There are owner reports of 2020–2021 Q60s where the hardware supported CarPlay but the expected functionality was not immediately available.
How to Add Apple CarPlay to a 2017–2019 Infiniti Q60
2017–2019 Q60 models do not have factory Apple CarPlay, so adding a wireless CarPlay adapter alone will not work. These cars require a solution that actually adds the CarPlay interface to the infotainment system.
For most owners, there are three practical approaches: an integrated retrofit module, a portable CarPlay screen, or a complete aftermarket head unit. The right choice depends mainly on whether you want to keep the original Q60 display and controls.
You essentially have three routes.
Option 1: Integrated CarPlay Retrofit Module
An integrated retrofit module is designed to add CarPlay to the existing Q60 infotainment system rather than replacing the entire dashboard with a large aftermarket display.
This is particularly relevant for Q60 owners who like the original interior and want to keep the factory-style appearance.
Depending on the module and the Q60 configuration, an integrated system can retain functions such as:
- the factory upper display;
- touchscreen control;
- steering-wheel buttons;
- the center-console controller;
- the OEM microphone;
- the factory backup camera.
Actual compatibility and retained functions depend on the specific retrofit kit and installation.
This isn't merely theoretical. Q60 owners have reported installing retrofit systems while retaining the touchscreen, center-console controller, steering-wheel controls and OEM microphone. One 2018 Q60 owner described an installation of roughly 1.5 hours, although the owner also reported occasionally needing to disconnect and reconnect the phone.
More recent owner reports show the same general preference. In a 2026 discussion, a 2017 Q60 owner specifically said they wanted CarPlay integration but did not want a Tesla-style tablet screen. Other owners discussed plug-and-play modules that connect to the factory harness.
That is an important distinction when shopping for a Q60 retrofit:
You don't necessarily need to replace the Q60's factory screens to get CarPlay.
What about installation?
Installation difficulty varies considerably between kits.
One 2017 Q60 owner who installed a retrofit in 2024 described the job as roughly 2.5 hours and rated the difficulty around 3–4/10, while another owner reported that an installer stopped after several hours because of concerns about damaging the factory system.
So "plug and play" should not automatically be interpreted as "five-minute installation."
Option 2: Portable Apple CarPlay Screen
A portable CarPlay screen is the simplest option if you don't want to modify the Q60's factory infotainment system. You get CarPlay on a separate display, with minimal installation and easy removal, but it does not integrate into the original Q60 screen.
For a deeper explanation of this approach, see: Can You Add CarPlay Without Replacing Your Stereo?
Option 3: Replace the Factory Infotainment System
The third option is a complete aftermarket head unit or large replacement screen.
A full aftermarket head unit or replacement screen is another option, but it involves more extensive changes to the Q60's original infotainment system.
How to Add Wireless CarPlay to a 2020–2021 Infiniti Q60
This is the most interesting Q60 model-year group because these cars already have factory Apple CarPlay, but the wireless situation is more complicated.
INFINITI service bulletin ITB22-014B covers 2020–2021 Q60 models and provides the procedure for enabling wireless Apple CarPlay. Depending on the software version, the AV control unit may also need an update.
That gives you two main paths.
Option 1: Check the Infiniti Wireless CarPlay Update
Before purchasing an adapter, ask an Infiniti dealer to check your Q60's infotainment software and service history.
The original Infiniti client-service initiative offering the update free of charge expired on March 31, 2022. In 2026, don't assume the update is still free; ask an Infiniti dealer to check your VIN and current software status.
You may still be able to have the update performed by a dealer, but you should not assume that the original free campaign is still available.
The safest wording when contacting a dealer is simply:
"Can you check my VIN for the 2020–2021 Q60 wireless Apple CarPlay update and confirm whether my current infotainment software supports it?"
The official service procedure also confirms that the update is a technician procedure rather than something INFINITI designed as a normal owner DIY update.
How the software version is checked
INFINITI's service bulletin instructs technicians to enter the vehicle's software information through the infotainment system and check the AV control unit version. Vehicles below the specified software version require the software update before proceeding with the wireless CarPlay configuration.
You therefore don't need to guess whether your 2020–2021 Q60 is compatible based only on its model year.
The vehicle's actual software state matters.
Option 2: Use a Wireless CarPlay Adapter
If your Q60 already has working wired Apple CarPlay, you can add wireless connectivity with a compatible wireless CarPlay adapter.
The adapter uses the Q60's existing wired CarPlay connection, so you can keep the factory screen and InTouch system without adding another display.
You simply turn the existing wired CarPlay connection into a wireless one.
See the Wireless CarPlay Adapter for Infiniti Q60 →
Which should you choose: Infiniti update or adapter?
They solve slightly different problems.
An Infiniti software update uses the vehicle's own wireless CarPlay implementation.
A wireless adapter is an aftermarket solution that can be useful when the vehicle already has working wired CarPlay and you want wireless connectivity without modifying the infotainment system.
The important step is to establish what your Q60 already has before buying anything.
Does the 2022 Infiniti Q60 Need a CarPlay Adapter?
No — not for wireless Apple CarPlay.
For 2022, INFINITI made wireless Apple CarPlay standard across all Q60 grades. The official launch material lists wireless Apple CarPlay on the Q60 PURE, LUXE and RED SPORT 400.
The 2022 Q60 retained the dual-screen InTouch layout and added wireless CarPlay without requiring an aftermarket adapter.
There is, however, an important Android Auto distinction.
INFINITI's 2022 announcement specifies that the two USB connections support USB-based Android Auto, while wireless Apple CarPlay is explicitly identified as the new standard wireless feature.
So:
iPhone: wireless Apple CarPlay is built in.
Android: do not automatically assume that the Android Auto experience is wireless simply because Apple CarPlay is.
What Infiniti Q60 Owners Report About Adding CarPlay
Official documentation tells you what the system is supposed to support. Owner discussions reveal some of the practical details that don't always appear in the manuals.
2017–2019 owners often want integration rather than a Tesla-style screen
A May 2026 discussion from a 2017 Q60 owner specifically focused on finding an integrated CarPlay solution rather than installing a large tablet-style replacement display. Other owners in the discussion described factory-harness-connected retrofit modules as an alternative.
This is useful when deciding what products to include in a Q60 buying guide: "adds CarPlay" and "adds CarPlay while retaining the factory experience" are not the same thing.
Retrofit modules can preserve much of the factory system
A 2018 Q60 owner reported that an installed retrofit retained the OEM touchscreen, center-console wheel, steering-wheel controls and factory microphone. The installation was described as manageable, although occasional phone reconnects were still necessary.
Another 2017 Q60 owner reported that an aftermarket CarPlay module retained the backup camera and other OEM functions.
These are individual owner reports, not guarantees for every retrofit kit, so compatibility should always be checked against the specific Q60 configuration and module.
2021 owners have encountered the "wired works, wireless doesn't" situation
A 2021 Q60 owner reported that wired CarPlay worked through USB, while wireless pairing resulted in Bluetooth connectivity but no functioning CarPlay connection.
This is consistent with the existence of INFINITI's official wireless CarPlay update for 2020–2021 Q60s.
Another owner reported that after receiving the dealer wireless upgrade on a 2020 Q60, connection problems were experienced only occasionally. That's a single owner experience, so it should not be interpreted as a reliability benchmark for all Q60s.
Common Infiniti Q60 CarPlay Problems
CarPlay is missing on my 2020 Q60
Start with the basics:
- Connect the iPhone to the factory USB media port.
- Try another known-good data cable.
- Check the vehicle's smartphone/CarPlay settings.
- Confirm that the phone is being recognized.
- Check the infotainment software.
-
Ask an Infiniti dealer to check whether the vehicle has an applicable wireless CarPlay update.
A 2020 Q60 owner reported not seeing CarPlay in the infotainment menus at all, while other owners pointed out that factory CarPlay should launch when the phone is connected through USB.
The important point is that a missing CarPlay icon does not automatically mean you need aftermarket hardware.
Bluetooth connects, but wireless CarPlay does not
This can be confusing because Bluetooth connectivity and wireless CarPlay are related, but they are not the same thing.
For 2020–2021 Q60s, check the infotainment software/update status before assuming that the vehicle lacks the necessary hardware. INFINITI's official service procedure exists specifically to enable wireless Apple CarPlay on these model years.
My wireless CarPlay adapter connects but CarPlay does not start
First establish whether the Q60 has working wired CarPlay.
A wireless adapter cannot turn a pre-2020 Q60's original infotainment system into a factory CarPlay system. The adapter is designed to replace the wired connection with a wireless one, not to create factory CarPlay from an infotainment system that never supported it.
For general wireless CarPlay troubleshooting, see: Apple CarPlay Not Working? Here's How to Fix It
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Infiniti Q60 have Apple CarPlay?
Yes, but it depends on the model year. Factory Apple CarPlay was introduced with the 2020 Q60. The 2022 Q60 added wireless Apple CarPlay as standard across all grades.
What year did the Infiniti Q60 get Apple CarPlay?
The second-generation Q60 received factory Apple CarPlay beginning with the 2020 model year.
Does the 2018 Infiniti Q60 have CarPlay?
No factory Apple CarPlay was provided in the 2018 Q60. To add CarPlay, you need an aftermarket solution such as an integrated retrofit module, portable display, or replacement infotainment system. Owner discussions also show that aftermarket retrofit modules can preserve much of the factory Q60 interface.
Can I add Apple CarPlay to a 2017 Q60?
Yes. An integrated retrofit module can add CarPlay while retaining the original Q60 display and controls, depending on the module. Portable CarPlay screens and full aftermarket systems are additional options. Recent Q60 owner reports confirm that integrated retrofit installations are still being performed.
Does the 2021 Infiniti Q60 have wireless CarPlay?
2021 Q60 vehicles have factory Apple CarPlay, and INFINITI issued a service procedure to enable wireless Apple CarPlay on 2020–2021 Q60s. The vehicle's software status determines whether the update/configuration is required.
Does the 2022 Infiniti Q60 have wireless CarPlay?
Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay became standard across all 2022 Q60 grades.
Can I make wired CarPlay wireless in an Infiniti Q60?
Yes. On a Q60 that already supports wired Apple CarPlay, a compatible wireless CarPlay adapter can provide wireless connectivity without replacing the factory infotainment system.
Will a wireless CarPlay adapter work with my Q60?
It depends on the model year and existing infotainment system. A wireless adapter requires an existing compatible wired CarPlay connection. It is not the correct solution for a 2017–2019 Q60 that lacks factory CarPlay.
Can I add CarPlay without replacing the Q60's factory screen?
Yes. 2017–2019 Q60 owners can use an integrated retrofit module that adds CarPlay to the original infotainment system. Another option is a separate portable CarPlay display.
Why is CarPlay not showing up on my Infiniti Q60?
On a 2020–2021 Q60, first check the USB connection, phone settings and infotainment software. If wireless CarPlay is the problem, check whether the vehicle has the applicable Infiniti wireless CarPlay update. On a 2017–2019 Q60, factory CarPlay was not included, so aftermarket hardware is required.
Related Motorys Knowledge Center Guides
For broader compatibility, product research and wireless CarPlay setup, see: