CarPlay head unit for the Fiat 500 2007-2015 and an adapter for cars with Uconnect

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Which CarPlay head unit for a Fiat 500?

It all depends on what exactly you drive. If you have a Fiat 500 from 2007-2015 without a factory touchscreen, you need a new radio with a dedicated fascia trim tailored to the dashboard or a portable windshield-mounted screen. If your car already has a factory Uconnect system with a 7-inch screen, you have built-in wired CarPlay, and a simple wireless USB adapter is all you need.

Keep in mind that this guide applies only to the classic Fiat 500 with factory code 312, also produced as the 500C convertible. These tips do not apply to the 500L, 500X, or the new fully electric 500e models, as they are completely different designs with different electrical systems and dashboard shapes.

How to check which system your Fiat 500 has

The Fiat 500 debuted on July 4, 2007, and until 2016, no unit leaving the factory offered Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support. If your car's dashboard has a smooth, painted strip with a traditional button panel, you are in the group that needs a complete head unit replacement.

The situation changed in 2017 with the debut of the 500 Mirror special edition. It was the first model in this series equipped with a factory Uconnect system with a 7-inch HD LIVE touchscreen that supported CarPlay and Android Auto. From May 2019, this system became standard on Lounge trim levels and above.

The simplest test is to connect an iOS or Android phone with a USB cable to the factory port in the center console. If the phone interface launches immediately on the car screen, you already have factory support and do not need to replace the radio. No reaction at all with a factory 7-inch screen means an older software version, while the lack of a large display is a clear sign to buy new hardware.

Fun fact: In 2017, precisely when the first versions with CarPlay were introduced to the 500 in the Mirror edition, the Fiat 500 celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Below you will find proven solutions tailored to both variants of the Fiat 500, selected based on compatibility with this model's electrical system.

Recommended head units and adapters for the Fiat 500

Dedicated radio for the Fiat 500 dashboard from 2007-2015

The factory radio in the Fiat 500 has a very specific, rounded shape integrated with the air vents and the painted panel. A standard universal 1 DIN or 2 DIN radio will leave unsightly gaps on the sides, so you need to look for a unit integrated with a dedicated fascia trim. Such a frame fits the dashboard recess perfectly and preserves the original retro style.

By choosing a dedicated radio, such as the 7-inch Aphrfamma or a Dynavin unit with a 10.1-inch screen, you get wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Pay attention to compatibility with the factory wiring. Good head units for this model include suitable wiring harnesses, ensuring the steering wheel buttons retain their functions so you don't lose control over volume or answering calls.

It is worth remembering the design limitations. The German brand Dynavin explicitly states that its 10.1-inch head unit fits the Fiat 500 from 2007-2015 and the 500C convertible from 2009-2015, but cannot be installed in newer models equipped with the factory Uconnect system.

Fun fact: The European Fiat 500 rolled off the assembly lines at the Tychy plant until 2024, and the milestone 2.5-millionth unit of this popular city car was produced there in March 2021.

Fiat 500 with the Uconnect system and a wireless adapter

If your Fiat 500 from 2017 or newer already features the 7-inch Uconnect HD LIVE touchscreen, there is no point in removing the factory radio. This system works great with smartphones, but it requires constantly plugging a cable into the USB port. On short city trips, taking your phone out of your pocket and plugging in the cable can simply be cumbersome.

The solution to this problem is a miniature wireless adapter, such as the AAWireless Two+ or Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3. You plug the device permanently into the car's USB port, pair your phone via Bluetooth, and put the adapter in the glove compartment. From then on, every time you get into the car, CarPlay or Android Auto launches automatically on the factory Uconnect screen without touching your phone.

A portable screen as a quick alternative without disassembly

Not every Fiat 500 owner wants to take apart the painted dashboard, remove the air vents, and modify the factory wiring. This is especially true for people leasing the car or planning to sell it soon. In such a situation, an external, portable touchscreen, such as the 7-inch Carpuride C3, becomes the most convenient choice.

You can mount such a screen on the windshield with a suction cup or place it on the dashboard using a dedicated stand. It draws power directly from the 12V cigarette lighter socket, so installation takes just a few minutes and does not interfere with the Fiat's electronics. The device connects to your phone wirelessly, giving you full access to maps, music, and voice calls.

You can transmit audio from the portable screen to the Fiat 500's speakers in three ways. The most stable option is an AUX cable plugged into the jack in the center console, provided your car has one. Alternatively, you can use the built-in FM transmitter by setting the same frequency on the screen and the factory Fiat radio, or stream the audio via Bluetooth.

Questions and answers

Does the Fiat 500 have CarPlay?

Older model years produced between 2007 and 2016 did not have this system at all in any trim level. Factory support for Apple CarPlay only appeared in 2017 in the 500 Mirror special edition, and from May 2019 became standard equipment on the Lounge trim and above. If your car does not have a factory screen, you need to purchase a dedicated head unit or a portable screen.

From which model year does the Fiat 500 have Android Auto?

Factory Android Auto support debuted in the Fiat 500 at the exact same time as CarPlay: in April 2017, alongside the launch of the 500 Mirror version equipped with the 7-inch Uconnect HD LIVE screen. Earlier models from 2007-2016 lacked the necessary hardware module and software. From May 2019, Android Auto became standard on higher trim levels, starting with the Lounge version.

Does CarPlay work wirelessly in a Fiat 500 with Uconnect?

No, the factory Uconnect system with a 7-inch screen supports Apple CarPlay only when the smartphone is connected with a cable to the console's USB port. The manufacturer did not include a wireless connectivity module for multimedia apps in this model. To use CarPlay without taking your phone out of your pocket, you need to buy a small wireless adapter plugged into the USB port.

Does a radio for the 500 fit the 500C convertible?

Yes, the dashboard and electrical system in the Fiat 500C convertible are identical to those in the standard three-door version. For example, Dynavin head units fit both the hardtop 500 from 2007-2015 and the 500C from 2009-2015. You only need to watch out for facelifted interior versions equipped with the factory Uconnect screen, which these radios do not fit.

Do the steering wheel controls work after replacing the radio in a 500?

Yes, provided you choose a head unit dedicated to the Fiat 500 that includes an appropriate CAN bus steering control module in the box. Kits designed for this model work seamlessly with the factory steering wheel buttons. This allows for convenient volume adjustment, track switching, and answering calls without taking your hands off the wheel.

Sources

• Stellantis Media UK: New Star and Rockstar to head up Fiat 500 range (Uconnect 7-inch HD LIVE with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) - manufacturer page (media.stellantis.com)
• Automotive World: Fiat 500 Mirror, reflecting the need to be connected - industry article (automotiveworld.com)
• Wikipedia: Fiat 500 (2007) - industry article (en.wikipedia.org)
• Pocket-lint: How to upgrade your car's old audio system to work with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay - industry article (pocket-lint.com)