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Quick answer: our top pick is TWAHH 10.2" for Jeep Wrangler JK (Wrangler JK 2007-2018 · 10.2 inch · wireless CarPlay).
Which CarPlay stereo for a Jeep Wrangler JK?
The Wrangler JK doesn't come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto from the factory, so you need to add your own solution. You have three options: a radio made for this model, a branded 2 DIN radio with a JK dash kit, or a portable screen on the dashboard.
If you want a large screen and a wireless connection, look at a model-specific radio. If you prefer a well-known brand and a simpler purchase, go for a 2 DIN with a dash kit. And if you don't want to cut or take anything apart, a portable screen is the way to go.
The newer Wrangler JL is a different story. It already has CarPlay, as explained below.
JK before and after 2011: check the model year before you buy a dash kit
The Wrangler JK covers the 2007-2018 model years, built from August 2006 to April 2018 in Toledo, Ohio. The two-door and the four-door Unlimited share the same generation, but the interior didn't stay the same throughout.
In 2011, Jeep gave the JK a completely new interior. In practice, the 2007-2010 dashboard looks different from the later one, so a dash kit and mounting set chosen for one version may not fit the other. Before buying, check your car's model year and compare it with the description of the dash kit or radio.
Among the factory radios, Wikipedia lists the Uconnect 430 and, from 2014, a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the Sport trim. Neither offers CarPlay or Android Auto, so the factory screen won't solve the problem.
Fun fact: On May 17, 2013, the Toledo plant built its one-millionth Wrangler JK. It was a Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition, and it went to a customer in Florida.
We chose the products below to show each of the options: a model-specific radio, a branded 2 DIN, a portable screen, and an adapter for the newer Wrangler.
Recommended head units for the Jeep Wrangler JK
1. TWAHH 10.2" for Jeep Wrangler JK
Wrangler JK 2007-2018 · 10.2 inch · wireless CarPlay
A large 10.2-inch screen made for the JK dash, with 4 GB RAM, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, GPS and a 1080p backup camera.
2. Stinger 6.8" for Jeep Wrangler JK
Wrangler JK 2007-2018 · brand name · dash kit included
Stinger is an established US car audio brand. This 6.8-inch wireless CarPlay unit comes with a double DIN dash kit for the JK, plus Android Auto, USB charging and camera inputs.
3. JVC KW-M595BT
brand · double-DIN · wired CarPlay
A brand-name double-DIN unit with a 6.8-inch screen. CarPlay and Android Auto work over a USB cable (not wireless), which keeps the connection stable and charges the phone. It has a backup camera input and is SiriusXM ready.
4. Carpuride W701 Pro 7"
dash screen · no install · 7 inch
The easiest way to get CarPlay in any car: a portable screen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto that sits on the dash and runs off the 12 V socket. Sound goes to the car speakers over Bluetooth, FM or AUX.
5. AAWireless Two+
adapter · wireless CarPlay and Android Auto
For cars that already have factory wired CarPlay or Android Auto. The adapter plugs into the USB port and from then on the phone connects by itself, no cable. Works with iPhone and Android.
Model-specific radio or a branded double-DIN unit
A model-specific radio, like the TWAHH 10.2" for Jeep Wrangler JK, gives you the biggest screen and looks like it came with the dash. It has wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, GPS and a 1080p reversing camera. It's a good choice if you want a modern look and a large map in front of you.
A branded double-DIN unit is the calmer route. The Stinger 6.8" for Jeep Wrangler JK comes with a double-DIN trim kit for the JK, so you don't need to hunt for a matching one separately. You get wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, USB charging and camera inputs. The JVC KW-M595BT also has a 6.8-inch screen, but CarPlay and Android Auto work only through a USB cable. In return, the connection is stable and your phone charges.
Check a few things before you buy:
- Steering wheel buttons: make sure the radio or kit supports them. If not, you may need a separate interface.
- Reversing camera: on the JK the spare wheel hangs on the back, so the camera is mounted next to it. The radio must have a camera input.
- Dust and vibration: off-road and with the top off, the interior gets dusty and shakes. Go for a solidly built radio from a known brand and a well-tightened kit.
- Trim kit included: if it isn't, pick one that matches the model year, before 2011 or after.
Portable screen: the simplest option
The Carpuride W701 Pro 7" is a display you place on the dash. It has wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and it's powered from the cigarette lighter socket. You don't touch the factory dash, so it's easy to remove or move to another car.
It's a good solution if the car is rented, you plan to sell it, or you simply don't want to mess with the dash. The downside is that the screen is an add-on sitting on top, not part of the interior.
Wrangler JL: an adapter is enough
The new Wrangler JL from model year 2018 came with the Uconnect 4 system with a 7 or 8.4-inch screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base Sport version has a 5-inch screen. If you drive a JL, don't replace the radio.
Just want to get rid of the cable? Get the AAWireless Two+. You plug it into the USB port and your phone connects by itself. It works with iPhone and Android, but only where factory wired CarPlay or Android Auto is already present. In a JK it wouldn't do anything.
Fun fact: The Wrangler JK is the last generation before the JL, and the factory in Toledo built it for almost 12 years, from August 2006 to April 2018.
Frequently asked questions about the Wrangler radio
Does a 2016 Jeep Wrangler have CarPlay?
No. Model year 2016 is a JK, and this generation has neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto. You need a model-specific radio, a branded double-DIN unit with a JK trim kit, or a portable screen.
Does a Wrangler JK radio fit the JL?
Don't count on it. Radios and trim kits described as "for Jeep Wrangler JK" are made for the JK dash. The JL has its own dash and a factory Uconnect 4 with CarPlay, so a wireless adapter is all you need there.
Do the steering wheel buttons work after replacing the radio in a JK?
It depends on the radio and the installation kit. Check the description to see whether steering wheel control is supported. If not, you may need a separate interface.
Does a standard double-DIN radio fit the Wrangler JK?
Yes, as long as you have a trim kit matched to the JK. The interior changed in 2011, so check the model year when buying a trim kit. A ready-made kit, like the Stinger with a double-DIN trim kit in the box, saves you the search.
From which model year does the Wrangler have Android Auto?
From model year 2018, which means the Wrangler JL with the Uconnect 4 system. The screen is 7 or 8.4 inches, and 5 inches in the base Sport version. Earlier JK model years don't have factory Android Auto.
See also
- How to add CarPlay and Android Auto to an older car: head unit, screen or adapter
- CarPlay stereo for the 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma: plug-and-play units, JBL and adapters
- CarPlay stereo for the 2009-2014 Ford F-150: plug-and-play 9-inch units and adapters
Sources
- Stellantis Media: All-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler - manufacturer page (media.stellantisnorthamerica.com)
- Wikipedia: Jeep Wrangler (JK) - industry article (en.wikipedia.org)
- Automotive World: New 2018 Jeep Wrangler makes its way to CES 2018 - industry article (automotiveworld.com)
- RPM Canada: 2018 Jeep Wrangler officially unveiled - industry article (rpmcanada.ca)
- Wikipedia: Automotive head unit (DIN sizes) - industry article (en.wikipedia.org)
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