Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Radios
Headset Bypass Required
A headset bypass is required for any CarPlay, Android Auto or Media Box solution on Harley-Davidson screens.
Factory CarPlay is locked behind a paired headset — the head unit wants the headset's microphone, so it simply will not run without one paired. The USB port is restricted the same way, which is why a Piglet or a Media Box does nothing on a stock bike no matter what you plug in. A HogPlay headset bypass removes that requirement, so CarPlay and the USB port work without a headset paired. The bypass comes first; everything else depends on it.
Running a Harley-Davidson factory radio on your motorcycle? HogPlay makes wireless Apple CarPlay adaptors, USB Piglets, media boxes and screen upgrades that work with these 2 units. Pick your radio below and we'll show you exactly what fits.
Harley-Davidson radios we cover
- Boom! Box GTS — 2019-2026
- Skyline (2023.5+) — 2023-2026
Choose your radio
Harley-Davidson radios we don’t cover
These factory radios have no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — no Harley factory screen ever did. A headset bypass can’t help, because there is no factory CarPlay to unlock. The path is an aftermarket CarPlay radio (most add Android Auto too) — and on the 2014–2018 Boom! Box units, a 2019–2023 GTS swap — then a Media Box or Piglet for Android Auto, streaming and more.
1999–2013 Harley-Davidson Factory Radios
- Factory Touring Radio — 1999-2005
- Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio — 2006-2013
2014–2023 Harley-Davidson Factory Radios
- Boom! Box 4.3 — 2014-2018
- Boom! Box 6.5 GT — 2014-2018
← All radios · All factory radios · Find parts by your bike →
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which Harley radio I have?
It comes down to model year: 1999–2005 is the AM/FM cassette/CD deck, 2006–2013 is Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio, 2014–2018 is Boom! Box 4.3 or 6.5 GT, 2019–2023 (CVO to 2023.5, trikes to 2025) is Boom! Box GTS, and 2023.5+ CVO / 2024+ touring / 2026 trikes is Skyline. If you’re not sure, plug your year and model into our fitment finder and it’ll tell you exactly what’s in your dash.
Does my Harley-Davidson have Apple CarPlay from the factory?
Only two generations do: Boom! Box GTS (2019–2023 touring, CVO to 2023.5, trikes to 2025) and Skyline (2023.5+ CVO, 2024+ touring, 2026 trikes). Both are wired CarPlay only, and both lock it behind a paired Bluetooth headset. Every earlier radio — the cassette/CD deck, Harman/Kardon, and Boom! Box 4.3/6.5 GT — has no CarPlay at all.
Does my Harley have Android Auto?
No factory Harley-Davidson radio supports Android Auto — not even GTS or Skyline, which only do Apple CarPlay. If you ride Android, you have two routes: pair a HogPlay Piglet to an unlocked GTS/Skyline system, or step up to an aftermarket SoundStream or Diamond Audio head unit with native Android Auto built in.
Why does my Harley say I need a Bluetooth headset for CarPlay?
Harley wired the GTS and Skyline radios so CarPlay only activates once a Bluetooth headset is paired — it’s a design choice, not a bug. A HogPlay bypass tricks the system into thinking a headset is connected, so you get CarPlay and USB through the bars or fairing with no headset required. See the GTS and Skyline pages for the exact part.
What’s the “factory” upgrade path for a Harley radio?
If you have GTS or Skyline, the factory path means keeping your stock head unit and unlocking what it can already do: a bypass frees CarPlay and USB from the headset requirement, then a Media Box or Piglet layers on streaming, Android Auto, Mirror Link, or AirPlay. See the full breakdown at /pages/factory-radios.
What’s the “aftermarket” path for a Harley radio?
Aftermarket means swapping the factory deck for a purpose-built touchscreen from SoundStream, Diamond Audio, Aquatic AV, Boss, or Rockford Fosgate — no bypass needed, since these radios handle CarPlay natively. It only fits pre-Skyline bikes; see /pages/aftermarket-radios for the full lineup.
My Harley’s radio has no CarPlay at all — what are my options?
If you’re on the 1999–2005, 2006–2013, or 2014–2018 factory radios, there’s nothing to unlock — those decks were built before CarPlay existed. You have two real options: drop in an aftermarket CarPlay/Android Auto radio from our aftermarket lineup, or add a bar-mounted HogPlay Media Screen that keeps your original radio in place while giving you a touchscreen for navigation and calls.
Which aftermarket radio brand should I pick?
If you want both CarPlay and Android Auto working wirelessly right out of the box, go with SoundStream or Diamond Audio. If you land on an Aquatic AV, Boss, or Rockford Fosgate unit, those are wireless CarPlay only — add a Piglet to bring Android Auto, Mirror Link, and AirPlay onto the same screen.
More questions (9)
Can I install an aftermarket radio on a 2024+ Skyline bike?
No. Skyline bikes run on Harley’s A2B digital audio bus, and none of our aftermarket head units — SoundStream, Diamond Audio, Aquatic AV, Boss, or Rockford Fosgate — have a drop-in for it. On a Skyline bike, the only upgrade path is the factory route: a bypass to unlock CarPlay, then a Media Box or Piglet on top.
What’s the difference between a Media Box and a Piglet?
A Media Box adds streaming apps to an already-unlocked GTS or Skyline touchscreen. A Piglet goes further, adding Android Auto, Mirror Link, and AirPlay to a wireless-CarPlay-only aftermarket radio (Aquatic AV, Boss, Rockford Fosgate) or to an unlocked GTS/Skyline system. Both need the factory screen unlocked first if you’re on GTS or Skyline.
What is a HogPlay Media Screen and who is it for?
It’s a bar- or dash-mounted touchscreen for riders on the 1999–2005, 2006–2013, or 2014–2018 factory radios who want CarPlay or Android Auto without replacing their original deck. Your factory radio and speakers stay exactly as they are — the Media Screen runs navigation, calls, and apps alongside it. Browse them at /collections/hogplay-media-screens.
What’s the difference between GTS and Skyline for CarPlay purposes?
Functionally, not much — both are wired Apple CarPlay only, both lock it behind a paired headset, and both take the same bypass-then-accessory approach. The difference is which bikes and years carry each: GTS covers 2019–2023 standard touring, CVO through 2023.5, and trikes through 2025; Skyline covers 2023.5+ CVO, 2024+ standard touring, and 2026 trikes. Check the GTS page or the Skyline page for your specific bike.
When did trikes get GTS and Skyline?
Harley trikes ran Boom! Box GTS through the 2025 model year and move to Skyline in 2026. Use our fitment finder to confirm your exact trike year before ordering a bypass or accessory.
When did CVO models switch from GTS to Skyline?
CVO models carried Boom! Box GTS through the 2023.5 model year, then moved to Skyline starting mid-2023.5. Because that switch happened mid-year rather than on a clean calendar boundary, it’s worth confirming your exact CVO’s radio with the fitment finder before buying a bypass.
What does HogPlay actually sell for Harley radios?
Four things: bypass adaptors to unlock headset-locked CarPlay on GTS and Skyline, Media Boxes for streaming apps on an unlocked screen, Piglets to add Android Auto, Mirror Link, and AirPlay, and Media Screens for pre-CarPlay bikes that want a touchscreen without replacing the factory radio. We don’t make the aftermarket head units themselves — those are SoundStream, Diamond Audio, Aquatic AV, Boss, and Rockford Fosgate, sold through our brand hubs.
How do I find the exact part for my specific Harley?
The fastest way is the fitment finder — enter your year, make, and model and it shows only what fits your bike. You can also browse by radio generation on factory radios and aftermarket radios, or jump straight to your generation’s page if you already know it.
I don’t know if I should go factory or aftermarket — which is right for me?
If you already have GTS or Skyline and like your factory touchscreen, staying factory (bypass + Media Box or Piglet) is the simpler, cheaper route. If you’re on an older no-CarPlay radio, or you want a bigger screen and native Android Auto without a Piglet, an aftermarket radio from our aftermarket lineup is the better fit — as long as your bike is pre-Skyline. Start at /pages/fitment and we’ll point you to the right page.
Ride safe: on-screen video is for parked viewing only — never watch video while the motorcycle is in motion. Music, audio and navigation are made for the road.
