CarPlay head unit for the Fiat Ducato, Relay and Boxer (motorhomes too): model-specific unit, brand name or screen

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Which CarPlay head unit for a Fiat Ducato? Start with what's in your dashboard

If you have an older Ducato with a factory radio without CarPlay, you have three options: an under-dash radio matched to the 2011-2022 model, a branded 2 DIN radio with a mounting frame, or a portable screen. If the car already has factory wired CarPlay, a wireless adapter is all you need.

The same applies to the Citroën Jumper and Peugeot Boxer. These vehicles are twins of the Ducato (in the UK the Jumper is called the Relay), so the dashboard and the radio slot are the same. Everything we write about the Ducato applies to them too.

The third-generation Ducato has been produced since September 2006, and the 2014 facelift (X290) brought a new front end. However, the radio depends more on the trim level than on the model year itself, so you first need to check what is inside.

How to check what you have in your dashboard

Start with the screen. In the updated 2021 Ducato, Fiat offers Uconnect in 7-inch and up to 10-inch versions, both with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base versions have a simpler radio with a 5-inch screen, with DAB, Bluetooth and USB.

The most reliable method is a simple test. Connect your phone with a cable to the factory USB port and see whether CarPlay or Android Auto appears on the screen. If it does, all you need is an adapter. If not, you are looking for a new radio or screen.

In a camper van, check more carefully. The radio is often chosen by the conversion manufacturer, so what looks like a factory Ducato unit may be a completely different device. Before you buy anything, look behind the dashboard panel and see what is actually there.

We chose the products for this article to cover each of these scenarios: a car without CarPlay, a car with wired CarPlay, and a camper van with an unusual dashboard.

Recommended head units and screens for the Fiat Ducato, Relay and Boxer

Model-specific radio or branded 2 DIN

A model-specific radio is a ready-made solution for the Ducato, Jumper and Boxer from 2011-2022. The screen fits the dashboard, with no fiddling with trim frames. One example is the Inefala 9" with Android 15, wireless CarPlay, Android Auto and GPS navigation.

A branded 2 DIN radio is the choice for those who prefer a familiar brand. According to ISO 7736, the 2 DIN size is 180 x 100 mm. For the Ducato, however, you need a trim frame and an adapter made for your specific vehicle. Without them, the radio will neither sit cleanly in the dashboard nor connect to the wiring.

The Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX has CarPlay and Android Auto, and Pioneer is on Apple's list of CarPlay radio manufacturers. The JVC KW-M595BT has a 6.8-inch screen and CarPlay over a USB cable. It works reliably, charges your phone and has a backup camera input.

Before buying, check three things:

• Steering wheel buttons: ask the seller whether the adapter supports them. Don't assume it does.
• Reversing camera: choose a radio with a camera input if you use one.
• Navigation in a camper: with CarPlay you use apps from your phone, so a stable connection and a clearly visible screen matter more than a built-in map.

Fun fact: The Ducato is the most common camper base in Europe. Around two thirds of campers are built on it, and since 1981 more than 3.5 million units have been produced.

Portable screen: the simplest route

If you don't want to take the dashboard apart, a portable screen solves the problem in a few minutes. You place it on the dashboard or mount it on the windscreen, and it draws power from the cigarette lighter socket. The factory radio stays in place.

Sound reaches the car's speakers via Bluetooth, FM or AUX. It's a good solution for a camper with an unusual interior layout, or for a car that often changes owner or purpose.

From the Carpuride family, the list has the Carpuride W701 Pro 7" with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. It sits on the dashboard and runs off the 12 V socket.

Wireless adapter, if you already have CarPlay

If a test with a cable showed that the factory CarPlay works, don't replace the radio. You plug the AAWireless Two+ into the USB port, and your phone connects on its own, without a cable. It works with iPhone and Android.

It's the cheapest way to add convenience on short everyday trips. You get in, start the engine, and your phone stays in your pocket.

Fun fact: The ISO 7736 standard defined the 1 DIN (180 x 50 mm) and 2 DIN (180 x 100 mm) sizes. That's why so many 2 DIN radios fit different cars, as long as you have the right trim frame.

Frequently asked questions about the radio in the Ducato, Jumper and Boxer

Since when does the Fiat Ducato have CarPlay?

In the facelifted 2021 Ducato, Fiat offers Uconnect radios from 7 inches up to 10 inches with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. In older vehicles, the surest way to check is to test with your phone on a cable.

Does a radio for the Ducato fit the Boxer and Jumper?

Yes, it's the same dashboard. The model-specific radio for 2011-2022 is described as fitting the Ducato, Jumper and Boxer. With a branded 2 DIN, the trim frame and adapter must also match the correct dashboard version.

Can you replace the radio in a camper built on the Ducato?

Usually yes, but the radio is often chosen by the camper manufacturer. Before buying, look inside the dashboard and check what's there. If you don't want to take anything apart, choose a portable screen.

Does the 5-inch Uconnect have Android Auto?

The basic 5-inch radio has DAB, Bluetooth and USB, while CarPlay and Android Auto come in the 7 and 10-inch versions. If you have any doubts, connect your phone with a cable and check.

Does the reversing camera work after replacing the radio?

It depends on the radio and on how the camera is connected. The JVC KW-M595BT has a reversing camera input. With a portable screen, the factory radio stays, so the car's wiring doesn't change.

Sources

• Stellantis Media: Fiat Professional abre los pedidos del nuevo Ducato 2021 - manufacturer page (media.stellantis.com)
• Wikipedia: Fiat Ducato - industry article (en.wikipedia.org)
• What Van?: Orders open for updated Fiat Professional Ducato - industry article (whatvan.co.uk)
• Parkers: New Fiat Ducato (2021) - industry article (parkers.co.uk)
• Wikipedia: Automotive head unit (DIN sizes) - industry article (en.wikipedia.org)