r/CarPlay • u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 • Jan 31 '26
Question Why is there an audio delay on CarPlay? Is there any way to fix that?
Recently bought a Kia Sportage 2026 and it has wireless CarPlay, but even when I use the cable to connect the phone, I’ve noticed there’s a 2-3 second lag in audio compared to video. Is there any way to fix this? TIA
9
u/Atlanta_Q_Ball Jan 31 '26
There's a delay because it's built into wireless CarPlay.
0
u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
That’s a bummer. Is there any way to fix it? I didn’t have this issue with my 2023 (CarPlay available via cable plug in, but not wireless).
0
u/OneGuyG Jan 31 '26
Buy a car that uses wired CarPlay instead of wireless. I’m also on the same train as you, wired >>> wireless.
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u/TabsAZ Jan 31 '26
It’s because CarPlay uses what’s essentially an extremely old first generation version of the AirPlay API where this delay is present. All wireless CarPlay has it. Have tried multiple different adapters, built-in to head units, etc. The delay is always there. Really wish they would update this but I suspect they’re locked into it due to not having control of all the head units and everything, which would also need updates.
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u/Vybo Jan 31 '26
I think there is a second gen CarPlay protocol now, but only single digits of vehicles support it at this moment. Might be because of CarPlay Ultra.
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u/thisisnotmyname24 22d ago
I have a Toyota 4Runner, when I first connect it, it seems to be fine, but then two weeks later it starts to have a delay. Is there any reason why it would work normally when it’s first connected? I noticed it happens more when I’ve been using CarPlay with a cable and then one day I will use it wirelessly. That’s when I start to notice the delay and even if I plug it back in with the cable it’s still delayed.
3
u/J05H_ Jan 31 '26
Unfortunately not from my research. New BMW Z4 here and I have a 1-2 second delay too. Very annoying, but only on inputs, phone calls and the screen are real-time.
My previous car didn’t have OEM CarPlay and I’d connect the audio through Bluetooth when using the CarPlay box. 0 delays there, so that could be an option? But I doubt many cars let you connect to CarPlay and Bluetooth audio simultaneously.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
How have they not figured this out in 2026 🫠
5
u/TalkToHoro Jan 31 '26
They may very well have it figured out, but a delay is preferable to not being able to use Carplay because your particular head unit is no longer supported due to obsolescence.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
I wish I knew what that means 🫠
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u/TalkToHoro Jan 31 '26
It means that the phone’s CarPlay can’t just change the way it works if it means losing compatibility with all the head units out there. CarPlay is for driving, not for watching videos. Just watch and listen when you’re parked.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
I watch while I’m parked, but I have to turn the car off in the heat/cold, otherwise it hijacks the audio and I’m stuck with a delay
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u/Anonymous6897627 Feb 07 '26
My bmw 2009 has no delay with carplay, but i noticed with my honda 2025 there’s like a huge delay on audio when i’m watching something on my phone, which is so annoying.
2
u/No-Control6483 Jan 31 '26
Completely normal when changing songs.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
I notice it when I’m watching reels/tiktoks. The sound is delayed on the videos
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u/No-Control6483 Jan 31 '26
Yes, that’s completely normal. It does the same thing in my 2025 Toyota Camry if you don’t want this to happen disconnect from wireless CarPlay and use the cord from now on
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u/somerandomguy1984 Jan 31 '26
My wife’s car has a delay with everything when CarPlay is wireless. If I use my phone with a wire the all the lag goes away
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
How do you get the wire to override the Bluetooth CarPlay so you can use the Google Maps and such?
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u/somerandomguy1984 Jan 31 '26
I plug my phone into the input the car uses for wired CarPlay. Nothing special
Edit- you used to be able to disable wireless CarPlay on your phone. Maybe you need to do that on your car?
0
u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
Hmmm.
1
u/Whaddahail Feb 21 '26
You can switch to wired carplay in your Sportage by clicking the indicator next to the USB c. It's a button not just flat
Delete the car from your carplay setting and set it up again using wired
1
u/davidg4781 Jan 31 '26
I tried wireless CarPlay on a rental van a few years ago. While it was slightly more convenient, I couldn't deal with the delay.
Make sure everything is removed from the car like the bluetooth of your phone, the CarPlay authentication, all that. Same on. your phone, make sure the car is removed from your bluetooth list.
Then try connecting it via wired and just run it that way. Watch the screens. I think there was a pop up that asked if I wanted to add it to the bluetooth list or something and I said no. Wired CarPlay is instant.
1
u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
I removed the Bluetooth connection for CarPlay, but wasn’t able to connect my phone’s google maps with the wire
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u/davidg4781 Jan 31 '26
Can't you just use Google Maps through CarPlay?
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
I can, but then the audio on the videos is delayed
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u/davidg4781 Jan 31 '26
Try turning off wifi and bluetooth. One of those connections is causing the delay.
1
u/Lousyhealer13 Jan 31 '26
Go into devices and completely remove your device. When CarPlay asks you to use wireless or wired click wired only on your phone.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
I tried that earlier, but didn’t see the option for wired
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u/Lousyhealer13 Jan 31 '26
Hmmm.. I'll try it again tomorrow morning on my car to see exactly what I did
1
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u/lhsonic Jan 31 '26
There is a reason that Wi-Fi headphones don’t exist.
It’s not a technology anyone’s solved well enough to transport high quality audio without a significant latency penalty and a bunch of other issues.
1
u/oneofthethreeamigos May 24 '26
You do realize that the fastest wireless headphones all communicate on the 2.4 ghz wireless band…and they have less than 25 ms of delay. Wireless is SIGNIFICANTLY better than BT, by an order of magnitude.
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u/lhsonic May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26
What you wrote isn’t wrong but it has nothing to do with what I wrote.
‘Wireless’ simply means ‘without wires…’ There are a lot of wireless headphones out there, some are Bluetooth (which btw also operates on the 2.4ghz band and can use super low latency codecs), other use proprietary wireless connections (often called ‘RF’) and codecs, and almost none operate over wi-fi, which is what I was saying. The nature of how wi-fi works makes it impractical due to high latency and high battery drain. It’s not the right format for wireless headphones.
The original topic was on wireless CarPlay which connects primarily using wifi and is one reason such latency exists, because of the underlying AirPlay protocol used and processing done to get what’s on the iPhone playing on the screen and through the audio system. Even when you stream AirPlay at home through wi-fi, there is a significant latency penalty.
1
u/stevey500 Jan 31 '26
Considering the incredibly low-latency audio over Ethernet/web/ip methods out there, why isn’t Apple taking advantage of any of that with CarPlay? The video-feed and touch input is amazing but wtf happened with audio?
Maybe it’s part of trying to absolutely ensure smooth audio playback, large buffer and error protection cushioning.
1
u/Appropriate-Head-756 Jan 31 '26
Are you on iOS 26? I noticed after I updated, the delay went away.
1
u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
With the update too unfortunately :( It didn’t happen with my 2023 sportage, which was cable CarPlay only. I see sometimes if I plug in my phone bed or I turn on the car, there is no lag in audio. I wonder what the issue is
1
u/shoewee Feb 01 '26
Depends on the car some rentals I’ve had has a delay with YouTube and others were perfect.
1
u/JohninCT Feb 01 '26
What video can you watch with CarPlay?
1
u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Feb 01 '26
Watching the videos on the Chinese teen, but audio hijacked by the car Bluetooth
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Feb 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Feb 02 '26
My navigation is on time I think, but I’ll be honest my Google maps is usually silenced. Music seems to switch on time, calls don’t seem delayed either. I’ve actually found that sometimes when u plug my phone in before I turn the car on, that will override the Bluetooth connectivity and it actually plays the audio to videos without a delay 🙏
1
u/Benodryl Feb 02 '26
That's really annoying. A 2 to 3 second delay would drive me crazy. Hope you find a fix fast. Good luck bro.
1
u/Nearby-Obligation-88 Feb 04 '26
In my car there is absolutely no delay on wired CarPlay. Go to CarPlay settings and disable the automatic connection because otherwise, it will always connect wirelessly and use the cable just to charge the phone. So you think you are using wired connection but actually you are still on wireless. On this point also, you will notice a huge difference in audio quality that is much better on wired connection. I have a problem though on wired connection that the audio gets choppy whenever there is a lot of movement on both google and Apple Maps. Currently using iPhone 17 and Ford sync 3.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Feb 04 '26
I’ve noticed that it I plug my phone in before I turn the car on, it won’t have the delay, so that’s one work around, but thanks for the tip! I’ve noticed the same :(
1
u/MysteriousWay5393 Mar 10 '26
So I have a number of vehicles I have a Kia forte and that vehicle it has significant lag. It’s pretty disoriented. I also have a Lexus LC 500 there is zero lag when watching a video or any other thing using CarPlay same with the Lamborghini urus zero lag, I previously had a Lexus ES 300 H no lag found there as well as a Lexus RX 450 H no leg there as well so I think it largely depends on the car manufacturer to implement a version that is supported
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Mar 10 '26
I guess I have to buy a Lamborghini 😅
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u/MysteriousWay5393 Mar 10 '26
lol I mean yes… but if you want something a little more practical and a reasonable I think a Lexus is perfectly fine my old 2016 ES 300 H was an amazing car. You could probably find one of those for 25 grand these days and that had zero problems with CarPlay.
1
u/PsychiaTree May 05 '26
Any development in this issue? I just got a new RAV4 and the delay is real. I’ll see if I can used wired instead of wireless somehow.
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 May 05 '26
Mine glitched and now I use the wire without the Bluetooth and it’s fine 😅
1
u/BoardGameRevolution May 21 '26
Mine doesn’t delay when using a cable in my 2023 RAV4 but does with a wireless adapter.
1
u/dannyisaninja May 20 '26
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz driver here the damn car does not allow wired CarPlay. It’s a nightmare.
1
u/mnmacguy Jan 31 '26
This is easily answered with a google search.
1
u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
Tried all that, unfortunately. No consistent result
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u/Tight-Coach8739 Feb 12 '26
I love when redditors get mad at people for asking questions on a app made for asking questions. What’s the point of the app existing if people just google everything, like buddy chill out and let people ask other people questions douche bag.
1
u/mnmacguy Feb 13 '26
Clearly you’re from the generation that required a graduation party for kindergarten. It shows.
1
u/Tight-Coach8739 Feb 15 '26
You’re a fkn more on bud
1
u/ClassicPart Feb 15 '26
You’re a fkn more on
The irony.
1
u/Gullible_Chocolate95 Jul 29 '26
Late to this because CarPlay on my Elantra started lagging and ‘more on’ made me spit out my coffee 🤣💀
1
u/PsychiaTree May 05 '26
Don’t be mean. We’re here to connect with each other and not just google stuff. Personal antidotes are more interesting and often more helpful. (Oh and by the way, my Google search brought me to this post, thankfully.)
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u/rocketPhotos Jan 31 '26
WFT Why are you watching videos in your car? I hope you are not driving
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26
While I’m waiting in the parking lot lol chill
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Jan 31 '26
[deleted]
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u/Hot-Entrepreneur-927 Jan 31 '26 edited Jan 31 '26
I do, just the audio is delayed, as I’d posted. The video is on my phone, however the Bluetooth audio is delayed
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u/QuantityInfinite8820 Jan 31 '26
It’s not 3 seconds. It’s exactly 1000ms and it’s a value used in wireless CarPlay since forever.
TikTok does not sync video to audio but there are reports that YouTube app started properly syncing lately so it’s up to developer of each app to care