How To Play My Iphone Through My Car Stereo

How to Connect An iPhone to Play in a Car Stereo

By Alan Bradford

i Jonathan Fickies/Getty Images News/Getty Images

As iPhones grow more ubiquitous, people want to make the most of the functionality by connecting them to their car stereos and listening to their music through the speakers. When the iPhone and iPod were first released, stock car stereos were not equipped to receive input from them. Since that time, several options have become available that enable you to play your iPhone's digital music through your car speakers. Three of the most common are through a dedicated iPhone connection, an auxiliary input jack and over an FM frequency.

Dedicated iPod Connector

Step 1

Locate the iPod/iPhone input jack in your iPod-ready car. This is usually a USB connector and is located on or near the dashboard or center console. Many cars today have the option of being equipped with an iPod or digital music player connection. If your car is not already equipped, you may be able to have it installed.

Step 2

Connect the iPhone cable to the input port in your car.

Step 3

Connect the other end of the iPhone cable to your iPhone.

Step 4

Turn on your car stereo and select either the USB or iPod mode. The exact name or mode will vary based on your model of car.

Step 5

Press play on your iPhone or on any other controls your car may be equipped with for controlling the stereo.

Auxiliary Input

Step 1

Locate the auxiliary input jack for your car's stereo system. Many stereos manufactured during the past few years provide an auxiliary input jack on the dashboard, in the center console or directly on the back of the stereo. If your model of stereo does not have an auxiliary input, you can purchase and install a different stereo or search for an adapter that might fit it.

Step 2

Connect one end of the auxiliary cable to the stereo auxiliary input jack.

Step 3

Connect the other end of the auxiliary cable to the headphone jack on your iPhone.

Step 4

Turn on your car stereo and select the "Aux" mode.

Step 5

Start the music on your iPhone. The music should come through your car stereo speakers.

FM Transmitter

Step 1

Connect the audio cable from the FM transmitter into the headphone jack of your iPhone.

Step 2

Ensure that your FM transmitter is receiving power either from plugging in to your car or from a battery.

Step 3

Select a frequency on the FM transmitter. Recommended frequencies are at the very low end of the spectrum to avoid conflict with local radio stations.

Step 4

Turn on your car stereo and tune the FM radio to the frequency you selected on the FM transmitter.

Step 5

Start the music on your iPhone. The music should come through your car stereo speakers.

References

Tips

To reduce interference from local radio stations when using an FM transmitter, you can remove your car's antenna.

Writer Bio

Alan Bradford began his career as a technical writer and editor in 2000. He has worked in a variety of fields, including medical devices, military applications and PC/console game development. Bradford specializes in such topics as computers, PC gaming and family and spiritual life. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University.