A mom on TikTok is showing her audience how to get Apple CarPlay in their older vehicles.

Gwenna Laithland (@mommacusses) a New York Times Bestseller, recommended the device in a video that now has 14.9 million views. 

Would You Like To Have CarPlay In Your Old Car?

Laithland is transparent about this being ad right in the beginning of the TikTok. (This website has no advertorial partnership with this creator. But given the sheer virality of her clip, we decided to unpack the story given what a hot topic CarPlay has become in recent weeks.)

“This is an ad for a CarPlay thing,” she begins.

She continues by showing her daughter’s Chevy Truck which is apparently “older” than Apple, or at least older than the company’s CarPlay software.

“It’s old, it was built before Apple. So she doesn’t have CarPlay, but now she does,” Laithland shares.

Laithland reveals the Apple CarPlay device that was installed into the old truck.

“It’s plug and play to set up. I’m dumb and I figured it out,” she explains.

She let her fans know that it was compatible via Aux cable. She believes this is an incredibly useful addition for her daughter that recently started driving.

In addition to the tablet, it also comes with “several mounts” and a back-up camera.

“Anyways, do you have an old [expletive] car? Would you like to have CarPlay in your old [expletive] car? There’s the link,” Laithland promotes.

So, is CarPlay possible for those who have given up on it? 

Apple CarPlay Installation—Is It Tricky?

Laithland clarified that the installation of her daughter’s Apple CarPlay in her Chevy was relatively straightforward. 

The only thing she struggled with was installing the backup camera.

“I was not smart enough to install by myself, so my husband will help with that unless I just broke it,” she shared.

However, some viewers didn’t experience a straightforward set up like Laithland. One viewer mentions how their AUX cable port has been broken for years but still found a way to set up Apple CarPlay.

“My old car doesn’t even have a functioning aux connection (it broke years before it was my car) so we had to get a [cigarette] lighter radio connector that plugs in and connects to the frequencies and then to [Apple’s] CarPlay. It works so much better than me having my phone in the cupholder to find directions,” one TikTok commenter shared.

Would Any CarPlay Adapter Work For Any Phone Or Car?  

Not all CarPlay adapters are built equal. Some will be incompatible depending on a number of factors, so it’s important to search for one that works with your phone, your car’s internal wiring, and your car’s make and model. 

Crutchfield offers a variety of CarPlay multimedia receivers created for different devices and cars. There’s options that are compatible for Android users. The CarPlay device that Laithland purchased was also compatible with Samsung devices, as are many on the market. 

A CarPlay device typically will cost anywhere from $200-400 based on Crutchfield’s various options. It’s also worth checking out if your car’s brand has any plug-and-play stereos for older models that will make it easier to install a multimedia receiver before buying one, as it can expand the shopping options you have.  

Installing CarPlay was worth it for many people based on the safety features it brings. 

As one commenter stated, “Adding CarPlay and a camera is actually a huge safety feature. Just the fact that you never have to touch your phone for directions, phone calls, or to change the music is so important, especially for young drivers. 10/10. If you have a new driver please, for their safety and the safety of everyone else on the road, get them CarPlay.” 

Laithland did receive a commission for the product she advertised in her video. We’ve reached out to her to learn more about the CarPlay device she installed.

@mommacusses

Yes it works with Androids and Apples. You either need it or you don’t. ?‍♀️

♬ original sound – Momma Cusses