Quick Answer
Yes — an old iPhone can technically be turned into a wireless CarPlay display, allowing your main iPhone to send CarPlay while the older iPhone acts like the screen in your car.
Software projects such as Showcase have already demonstrated this working on older iPhones without requiring a separate CarPlay dongle.
There is a catch, though:
The currently available method requires the receiving iPhone to be jailbroken.
A newer no-jailbreak CarPlay receiver has also been demonstrated, but until that version is publicly released and tested, jailbreaking remains the established method.
How Would an Old iPhone Become a CarPlay Screen? 🔄
Normally, CarPlay works like this:
Your iPhone → Vehicle’s CarPlay display
Using an old iPhone changes the setup:
Main iPhone → Wireless CarPlay → Old iPhone
Your main phone still handles navigation, music, calls, messages and compatible CarPlay apps.
The old iPhone becomes the touchscreen display.
Mounted horizontally on a dashboard, an unused iPhone could essentially become a small DIY CarPlay screen.
Is This Actually Possible Today? ✔️
Yes.
The open-source Showcase project can turn a compatible jailbroken Apple device into a wireless CarPlay receiver.
The developer has tested Showcase using an iPhone 7 running iOS 15.8.4, proving that the receiver doesn’t have to be an iPad.
Once connected, the old iPhone receives the CarPlay video stream while touchscreen commands are sent back to your primary iPhone.
Showcase also supports CarPlay audio and automatic reconnection.
Does the Old iPhone Need a Jailbreak? 🔓
With the currently available Showcase method, yes.
Receiving CarPlay requires access to Bluetooth and other system functions that normal iPhone apps don’t receive.
Jailbreaking allows Showcase to access those deeper parts of iOS and make the old iPhone behave more like an actual CarPlay head unit.
That makes the current setup more appropriate for people who already have an older jailbroken device than someone who simply wants to download an app from the App Store.
What About CarPlay Without a Jailbreak? 👀
This is where things get interesting.
A newer software CarPlay receiver has recently been demonstrated running on modern iOS, with its developer claiming that no jailbreak or additional CarPlay hardware is required.
The developer also says a sideloadable IPA is planned.
If that software receives a reliable public release, repurposing an old iPhone as a CarPlay screen could become much easier.
Until then, however, don’t download random IPA files claiming to provide the unreleased receiver.
Which Old iPhones Could Work?
That depends on the receiver software and the version of iOS installed.
Showcase officially supports jailbroken iPhones and iPads running compatible versions of iOS, with the developer specifically testing an iPhone 7.
But don’t assume every old iPhone will automatically work.
Before modifying an old device, check:
✔️ Exact iPhone model
✔️ Installed iOS version
✔️ Available jailbreak support
✔️ Receiver software compatibility
✔️ Personal Hotspot availability
Compatibility with the upcoming no-jailbreak receiver remains unknown until a public release is available.
Why Turn an Old iPhone Into a CarPlay Screen? 🤔
Because many of us have perfectly usable old iPhones sitting in drawers.
Instead of buying another display, an older iPhone already gives you:
✔️ A good touchscreen
✔️ Wi-Fi
✔️ Bluetooth
✔️ Built-in speakers
✔️ A compact dashboard-friendly size
✔️ Hardware you already own
For an older vehicle without factory CarPlay, that’s a pretty interesting second life for an unused phone.
An iPad would provide a larger display, but an old iPhone could be easier to mount without taking over the dashboard.
Is This an Official Apple Feature?
No.
Apple doesn’t currently offer a setting that turns one iPhone into the CarPlay receiver for another iPhone.
Projects such as Showcase accomplish this using independent software and reverse engineering.
That also means the experience won’t necessarily be as straightforward or reliable as factory CarPlay or a supported aftermarket head unit.
Should You Try It?
If you already own an older compatible jailbroken iPhone, experimenting with Showcase could be an interesting project.
But I wouldn’t jailbreak a useful everyday iPhone solely for this purpose.
For most people, waiting to see what happens with the newer no-jailbreak receiver makes more sense.
If that project becomes publicly available and works reliably, old iPhones sitting in drawers could suddenly become surprisingly useful CarPlay displays.
FAQ
Can one iPhone send CarPlay to another iPhone?
Yes. Software receiver projects have demonstrated one iPhone sending wireless CarPlay to another compatible iPhone.
Can an iPhone become a CarPlay screen without extra hardware?
Yes, software-only solutions exist, although the currently established method requires jailbreaking the receiver.
Can I use an iPhone 7 as a CarPlay display?
Yes. Showcase has been tested by its developer using an iPhone 7 running iOS 15.8.4.
Does Apple officially support this?
No. Turning another iPhone into a CarPlay receiver isn’t a standard Apple feature.
Can I do it without jailbreaking?
A no-jailbreak receiver has been demonstrated, but we recommend waiting for a legitimate public release before attempting it.
Final Thoughts 🚗📱
That old iPhone sitting in your drawer might actually have another job waiting for it.
Turning an old iPhone into a wireless CarPlay display is already technically possible, although today’s established solution requires jailbreaking.
The much bigger development will be no-jailbreak support.
If a reliable sideloadable receiver becomes publicly available, turning an old iPhone into a dedicated CarPlay screen could go from an enthusiast project to something regular iPhone owners can actually use.
We’ll be watching.
Related Fixes
- Can You Use an iPhone as a CarPlay Screen?
- Can You Use an iPad as a CarPlay Screen?
- CarPlay Not Working on iPhone? Try These Fixes