How-to Guide
How to Run CarPlay at the Same Time as Starlink or a Hotspot
Quick answer
Your phone's WiFi radio can only be on one network at a time, so a phone running wireless CarPlay can't also stay on Starlink or another hotspot. Plug the phone in and run CarPlay wired over USB instead. Wired CarPlay doesn't use your phone's WiFi at all, so your phone stays on the other network.
What this gives you
You get satellite internet in the vehicle and your phone on the screen at the same time. That's the normal setup on a long trip, and the one that quietly stops working if you leave CarPlay wireless. It costs you a USB lead and no settings changes.
Before you start
- A USB lead that carries data, not a charge-only lead. A charge-only lead is the most common reason wired CarPlay does nothing.
- Your phone already paired to the unit.
- Your Starlink or hotspot network details, if your phone isn't already on it.
Step by step
- Work out whether you actually have the conflict
If your phone drops off Starlink the moment CarPlay starts, or CarPlay drops when you join a network on your phone, that's the conflict. Both can't use the same radio.
- Plug the phone into USB Port 1
USB Port 1 is the CarPlay and Android Auto port. You can run both wired over USB as well as wirelessly.
- Stop the phone rejoining the head unit network on its own
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then WiFi, tap the information icon next to the head unit network, then turn off Auto-Join. Without that your phone keeps drifting back and taking the radio with it.
- Put the phone back on the other network
With CarPlay no longer using the WiFi radio, join Starlink or the hotspot on your phone as normal. If your phone keeps switching back to mobile data, turn WiFi Assist off temporarily.
- Give the head unit its own connection as well
You can put the head unit on Starlink itself under Settings and WiFi, or run a SIM. Then the unit's online no matter what your phone is doing, which is how most touring setups end up running.
If it does not work
- If wired CarPlay does nothing when you plug in, try a different USB lead first. A charge-only lead is the usual cause.
- If your phone keeps reverting to wireless, turn off Auto-Join for the head unit network on the phone rather than changing anything at the head unit.
- If both are connected but your phone has no data, check it's on the right network, not just that you're seeing a WiFi icon.
- If you're on Android, open the PVS Link app and check the unit is in Android Auto mode rather than CarPlay mode.
Worth knowing
This is about what your phone's WiFi radio can do, not a limit in the head unit. What you see here applies to the PVS unit only.
Still need help?
Tell us your vehicle and what you're seeing on screen, and we can point you to the right step.