CarPlay on Your BYD: A Plain-English Guide to DiPlay

Last checked: 11 October 2026

Want your iPhone's maps, music and messages on your BYD's big screen? Many BYDs sold new outside China already have Apple CarPlay built in, or can get it with a free software update. If yours doesn't, for example a BYD bought in or imported from China, a free community app called DiPlay can add it. This guide explains, in plain English, what DiPlay does, how to set it up and what to know first.

Quick answer

• Does my BYD have CarPlay? Many BYDs sold outside China do. Check your car's settings and update its software first.
• What is DiPlay? A free, unofficial app you install on your BYD's screen (not on your iPhone). It lets the screen show CarPlay.
• Who is it for? BYD owners whose screens don't offer CarPlay, most often Chinese-market or imported BYDs.
• Is it official? No. It isn't made or approved by Apple or BYD. It's a free preview that can stop working after an iPhone update.
• Cost: Free, from the developer's official page only.

FunBYD doesn't make, sell or support DiPlay. This guide is for information only.

Check first: does your BYD already have CarPlay?

Many BYD owners don't need DiPlay at all. In many countries, BYD has added Apple CarPlay to its cars through free over-the-air software updates. In Australia, for example, the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and Sealion 6 all gained wireless CarPlay this way, and newer models come with it from the factory. What your car offers depends on the model and the country it was sold in.

Try this before anything else:

1. Make sure your car's software is up to date. Look for the software update option in the car's settings menu.
2. On your iPhone, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
3. Pair your iPhone with the car over Bluetooth. If CarPlay is built in, the screen will offer to start it.
4. Still nothing? Ask your BYD dealer whether CarPlay is available for your car.

If your car was bought new from an official BYD dealer in your country and has CarPlay built in, use that. It's official, supported and covered by your warranty.

What DiPlay is and what it does

DiPlay is a free app that goes on your BYD's touchscreen, not on your phone. Once it's installed, your iPhone can connect to the car and show CarPlay on the big screen, either with a cable or without one.

With it you can:

• Navigate with Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze on the car's screen.
• Play music and podcasts from Spotify, Apple Music and other phone apps through the car speakers.
• Call and message hands-free, including asking Siri to read or send texts.
• See directions on the windscreen display (on BYDs with a head-up display and recent software), with arrows, distance and street names.
• Adjust the look, such as icon size and picture quality, to suit your screen.

An independent developer made it and shares it for free. It was built specifically for BYD cars and has quickly become popular with BYD owners around the world.

What you need before you start

• A BYD whose screen lets you install apps. Most BYD screens do. Some cars sold outside China block extra apps, so DiPlay may not install on every car.
• An iPhone with CarPlay switched on. It must be a normal iPhone that hasn't been modified.
• About 15 minutes, parked, with the car switched on.
• For a wired connection: a USB cable that carries data, not just charging, plugged into the car's data USB port.
• For wireless: the car's own Wi-Fi hotspot switched on. Use 5 GHz if your car offers it.

How to set up DiPlay, step by step

Step 1: Get the app from the official page only. Go to the developer's official DiPlay page at shihabal3amri.github.io/DiPlay and download the latest version. Don't download it from anywhere else. Copies on other sites could be old or unsafe.

Step 2: Install it on the car's screen. Park the car. Install the app on the BYD's screen the way your car allows, for example from a USB stick. Remember: it goes on the car, not on your iPhone.

Step 3: Open DiPlay and say yes to its questions. The app asks to use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the microphone (for calls and Siri). Allow the ones for the features you want, and allow notifications.

Step 4: Close other phone apps on the car. If the car has another phone-mirroring app running, close it first. Only one should run at a time.

Step 5a: Connect without a cable.

1. Turn on the car's built-in hotspot (5 GHz if available) and note its name and password.
2. In DiPlay's settings, choose the built-in car hotspot and enter that name and password.
3. Pair your iPhone with the car over Bluetooth.
4. Tap Connect phone in DiPlay. Your iPhone joins by itself.

Step 5b: Or connect with a cable.

1. Plug your iPhone into the car's data USB port.
2. Tap Connect with USB in DiPlay.
3. Tap Trust and Allow on your iPhone when asked.

If the app asks to set up a "local VPN" on a cable connection, that's normal. It only links the phone and car together and doesn't send your data anywhere.

For the developer's full instructions, see the DiPlay install guide.

Using it day to day, and simple fixes

Once it's set up, get in the car, open DiPlay and connect your phone. To change settings while CarPlay is showing, swipe down on the screen with three fingers.

If this happens	Try this
Picture stutters or freezes	In settings, choose 30 frames per second and lower the picture quality to 80% or 60%.
Icons are too small or too big	Change the icon and text size, then tap Apply and reconnect. Some iPhones ignore this setting.
Won't connect without a cable	Close other phone-mirroring apps. Try the 2.4 GHz hotspot setting, or use Reset CarPlay Wi-Fi in DiPlay's help menu.
Won't connect with a cable	Use a cable that carries data and the car's data USB port, not a charge-only one.
Sound cuts out	Update to the newest DiPlay version. If it keeps happening, save a problem report in DiPlay's settings and share it on the developer's page.

To update, install the newer version over the top of the old one. That keeps your settings and paired phone.

Important things to know before installing

• It isn't official. Apple and BYD don't make, approve or support DiPlay. The developer calls it a public preview.
• An iPhone update could stop it working. The developer says there's no guarantee it will keep working after future iPhone updates.
• Results vary by car. It's tested on a small number of BYD models. Your car's screen and software version may behave differently.
• Check your warranty. Adding unofficial apps to the car's screen could affect warranty claims for the screen. Ask your dealer if you're unsure.
• Drive safely. Set your route and music before you drive, and don't watch videos while driving.
• You install it at your own risk. If anything goes wrong, the developer's page is the place to report it. FunBYD can't provide support for it.

Frequently asked questions

Does the BYD Atto 3 have Apple CarPlay?

In many countries, yes. For example, Atto 3s sold in Australia have wireless Apple CarPlay, and older cars got it through a free software update. Check your car's software version or ask your local BYD dealer.

Can I get CarPlay on a Chinese-market or imported BYD?

Many Chinese-market BYDs don't include CarPlay. DiPlay is a free, unofficial app that can add it to many of them, but it isn't guaranteed to work on every car.

Is DiPlay free?

Yes. Download it only from the developer's official page. Be wary of anyone charging for it.

Do I install DiPlay on my iPhone?

No. It goes on the BYD's touchscreen. Your iPhone stays as it is.

Does DiPlay work without a cable?

Yes. It works wirelessly through the car's hotspot, or with a USB cable that carries data.

Will DiPlay void my BYD warranty?

It could affect warranty claims for the infotainment screen. Check with your dealer before installing.

Does DiPlay work with Android phones?

No. DiPlay is for iPhones only. Many BYDs offer Android Auto for Android phones instead.

Can FunBYD install it for me?

No. FunBYD doesn't install, sell or support DiPlay. We share this guide to help BYD owners understand their options.

Sources

• DiPlay on GitHub
• DiPlay install guide
• DiPlay compatibility notes
• BYD Atto 3, Seal, Dolphin gain wireless Apple CarPlay

CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc. FunBYD is not affiliated with Apple, BYD or the DiPlay developer.