In this how-to video, I show you how to view Netflix video on your CarPlay display. In this video I use two HDMI to CarPlay adapters from Ottocast and CarlinKit.
The CarlinKit HDMI to CarPlay adapter retails for:
$69.99 from Amazon US (Use code – 20PJM6U3 – at checkout to get an additional $20-off your order)
$40 directly from their store (Use code – Anthony Barker – at checkout for $15-off your order!)
£65 from Amazon UK
€55 from Amazon DE
Ottocast Car TV Mate adapter retails for:
$79 direct from Ottocast
$79 from Amazon US
£95.52 from Amazon UK
€115.53 from Amazon DE
HDMI Cables Shown in This Video
MAX Group HDMI to USB-C Cable
UNI HDMI to USB-C HDCP 2.2 Cable
UNI HDMI to USB-C HDCP 2.3 Cable
How-to watch Netflix on CarPlay Display
Watching Netflix on CarPlay can be a struggle without the right hardware. You can use an Apple CarPlay or Android Auto AI Box and use the pre-installed app to watch content on it, but the issue users face with this method is that you have to supply the AI Box with an internet connection. This can be done by inserting a separate data SIM into the AI Box (if it has one) or using a personal hotspot from your phone to supply the AI Box internet. It isn’t a seamless experience and having to log separately into an AI Box runs the risk of all of your logged-in online accounts being stolen (including Netflix) if the AI Box was to be stolen from inside your vehicle.
There are also less official alternatives, such as jailbreaking your iPhone to run certain apps on the CarPlay display without any extra hardware, but compatibility with newer iOS runs a risk, as installing third-party certificates to install workaround apps can also run the same risk.
A much more seamless method is using one of the new HDMI to CarPlay adapters. Not only are your accounts secured on your mobile that you’ll take with you, but you’re already logged into the app, and it can be easier to navigate and browse the content you wish to watch on your CarPlay display. Using HDMI also avoids the common issue found on CarPlay AI Boxes which suffer from audio sync issues.
What Do I Need?
So how you watch Netflix on your CarPlay display? Let’s find out what you need:
- An iPhone (Androids aren’t supported on these HDMI adapters)
- An HDMI to USB-C or HDMI to Lightning Cable
- An HDMI to CarPlay adapter from CarlinKit / Ottocast
- A Standard or Premium Netflix subscription (see below)
You may also try an HDMI to USB-C hub or HDMI to Lightning hub, but you will still need an HDMI cable to attach it to the CarPlay adapter. So you might as well remove a part of this chain and go straight to using an HDMI to USB-C/Lightning Cable instead.
How Do I Do it?
- Connect the chosen HDMI to CarPlay adapter to your CarPlay port
- Connect the HDMI cable end into the HDMI adapter port on the adapter
- Connect the USB-C/Lightning end into your iPhone
- Select the CarPay option on your car system to view the HDMI feed
- Load up Netflix on your iPhone
- Browse and tap any content to watch Netflix on your CarPlay display
- Grab the popcorn and enjoy!
Have the Correct Netflix Subscription
To fix any display errors or issues with Netflix streaming from your iPhone over HDMI, make sure that you are on the correct subscription plan and not an ad-supported subscription plan.
All ad-supported subscriptions (Standard with Adverts and Mobile Plans) do not allow streaming over HDMI from your iPhone, whereas Standard and Premium subscriptions do allow this to work. So with the right subscription tier and an HDMI to USB-C/Lightning cable/hub, you can easily stream Netflix video to your CarPlay display. Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
0:27 – HDMI Cables to try
1:00 – Netflix Test with CarlinKit HDMI Adapter
1:57 – How does it work?
2:50 – Netflix Test with Ottocast HDMI Adapter
3:34 – CarlinKit vs Ottocast HDMI Display Comparison
4:00 – Is HDCP needed? UNI 2.2 Cable Netflix Test
4:48 – UNI 2.3 Cable Netflix Test
5:37 – Wrap up
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