2023 Subaru Outback Infotainment Touch Screen Explained 

The other month when I was going into a Subaru dealership’s lounge area, I was initially startled as I heard Alex’s voice. It happened to be from another customer listening to one of Alex’s videos on their phone for all to hear. I think Subaru of NA should bring Alex on as an official online brand ambassador to produce this valuable content. Keep up the great work.

Cant wait to get the update for my 2022 outback!

Alex, any news on an update for the 2022 Outback software? I am hoping they will update the software to match the 2023 software. Thanks & I do enjoy your videos....

Alex, I’m always amazed at the new things I learn about my 2022 Outback, many from you. One cool thing I just discovered accidentally is the rear camera lens wash. With roads covered in salt this time of year, the lens is frequently covered in crud. When in reverse, activate the rear wiper, and the lens will get its own bidet shot of wiper fluid. No more getting out and wiping with a finger!

Alex, you are a gem! My wife and I just rented a new Outback from our local dealer, so we can have a 1-week test drive. We got a pretty detailed and much appreciated introduction from a service associate, but your show & tell of ALL the functions is even more helpful. Thank you so much!

Alex your really are a breath of fresh air in being so instrumental in your presentation! Having said that I have ‘several’ of your videos I listen too, as well as other acquaintances of mine! For Subaru, they should give you an AWARD if they hadn’t accomplished this as of yet. CHEERS to you Alex! keep up the GREAT WORK!!

Just bought a suburu I am so glad I found you Your info and presentation are fantastic. Thank you very much

This video is very helpful. As a new first time Subaru owner (24 Outback), the options in the display screen are a bit overwhelming but after watching this video I feel more comfortable using it.

Thanks for the video, Alex. I bought a 2023 Outback Limited XT last month, and I find the infotainment a bit laggy, but I do like the features for the most part, including the date reminders that not even our salesman was aware of.

Will the 2022 Outback get an upgrade to match the 2023 display?

I bought a 2023 Outback about a month ago (replacing my 2015 ). I found this video extremely helpful and learned about features of the car I didn't know existed. Thanks, Alex!

Thank you SO much for making these videos! I recently purchased an Outback and my salesman basically told me to read the manual. 🥴 Your videos have helped me so much! I love some of the hidden features you've shown us too! So much fun. Keep up the great work!

Hi Alex! Thanks for the training video :) I have been watching everything you have been posting as I await delivery of my 2023 Outback next month.

Your video was very helpful! I have had two Subaru Outbacks and just purchased a 2023 Subaru Outback Limited XT yesterday...as you know, there have been a number of changes to the 2023 version, so I was able to watch your "hands-on" video to learn about them - thanks a bunch! Safe travels!

Hi Alex! I appreciate the information you bring to us. Your videos recently helped me decide on features and accessories when I purchased of a new 2024 Outback Onyx Limited. Being new to Subaru, I am finding there are a crazy number of features and functions on this car. I very much appreciate the touchscreen info. As another video idea, could you do a total car walkthrough covering how all the functions work, door locks, hatch etc? There does not seem to be sometime that out there and I want to be able to use everything correctly! Thanks again for your videos, they are great!

Hi Alex, as always, thanks for the very informative video. I have a 2022 outback and as you mentioned, there are some improvements in the 2023 infotainment (such as the one-touch heated seat control). do you know if there is an option to upgrade my system to the new one and gain the improvements that were made in the 2023 version?

After watching your video of one you bought It looks real good. The contrast. White Black cladding I almost got the cosmic blue. Which is real nice also Thanks again for all the info

I just took delivery of my new 23 Outback XT yesterday May 5th and found your great video on the infotainment system. Great Job and shared it with my wife! New Subscriber from YVR🇨🇦🤩👍🏽

I just updated my 2022 Wilderness… it’s a huge improvement!

Hi Alex! Happy New Year! I recently bought my wife a Subaru Ascent Onyx Limited. She absolutely loves it! Can you please do some more Ascent videos. You seem to lean towards the Outback. I think the Ascent is on the rise. I’m seeing more Ascent’s on the road here in California. Thank you. I enjoy your channel.👍🏽

We need the update for older cars!!!! It's such a safety hazard just to turn on or off heated seats, or adjust the fans with the tiny buttons. I'd like to see them completely get rid of the redundant giant temperature slider and make all the other buttons big and easy to click. It'd be extra nice if all those buttons could be added to the home screen. I don't need to check "My Subaru" while I'm driving, but changing the fans modes once the car warms up/cools down would very nice. If we really want to be creative, change the redundant volume/tuning knobs to temperature control, the the left temp buttons to fan speed, and the right temp buttons to fan mode.

I keeping checking and hoping to see the update available for my 2020 XT Touring. This system makes an otherwise great car...a total PITA. Never thought it would make me miss the system in my 2015 Outback Limited. Still surprised to see they have not adopted the auto turn down on the Seat Heaters. Something Benz has been doing for years. I guess if I wore a parka like my Mother inlaw and was sitting on 3" of coat, I wouldn't mind the seat heater on MAX non-stop. Surprised there aren't fires for as HOT as my seat gets. Wish I could sell my trailer and buy an AllTrack while they can still be found with low-ish miles. Our 2018 GTI's Tech is flawless. Their engineers did a great job of making it all user friendly. I love looking at my Subie...but too much time behind the wheel with the Infotainment system, driver distraction system...and I just start getting mad.

I wish my temp controls buttons would change. Mine hasn’t changed with updates yet. (2022 Outback premium)

Thrilled. Thank you. Got my Outback yesterday and the video will help me set things up today!

Hi there Alex I had a question for you, would the dealer be able to update the touch screen. I have a 2022 Outback and tbh the response on the screen is a big slow, there is a slight lag between the touches. This is why I am curious to know if the dealer would have an update to bring the touch screen to life. Thank you for the content you post I have learned alot about my Subaru Outback from your channel.

THANK YOU we will pick our new Outback up next week. This is very useful.

Thanks, Alex. As always, very helpful info. I just bought the '23 Outback and your channel specifically helped me to make that choice over the last 6 months. Thanks!

I appreciate all your videos. Would you be able to do a video covering the topic on the difference between leasing and financing? Also a side-by-side comparison of the 2023 Wilderness, Onyx & Limited trims? I’m waiting patiently for my 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness to arrive (it’s been pushed back to February 2023).

Thank you for this- I just got a ‘23 outback wilderness…love it and needed some help seperating the controls, coming out of a forester premium it is quite a maze. Im loving my new car…❤

Great video as always, Alex. Thanks. Just picked up my 2023 Outback Onyx Edition yesterday, and knew a lot of this from going through it at the dealership but this is very helpful

That was brilliant. I'm an Australian looking to get an outback next year and I have loved your videos. They have helped me come to the decision actually. Thanks

Great walkthrough on the touchscreen. Your screen seems to respond much faster than my 2023 OBW. Could it be the reception and not the screen itself?

Alex. You do a great job explaining everything Subaru. You should think about creating a CHEAT SHEET on the infotainment system . You could do instructions on each important part of the system,much like you do with your instructive videos. You could do it on a durable double side plastic like paper . Id be happy to order one from you and keep it in the car in case our kids borrow the car!.

Picked up my new Touring Outback (Japan built) yesterday. I love it except some very annoying bits. 1 - Why no right side camera (even my 6 year old Xtrail had that). Adding that confirms you are squarely in a car park space. 2 - Lane departure is very annoying on local roads - will def be turning that off everytime and I need to find how to get light off saying feature is off. 3 - Eyes on road. Well my eyes can be on the road but if my head is angled the car panics. If my eyes look away but my head stays straight - no problem. Need to turn that off. 4 Steering wheel is hardly padded and feels cheap compared to the rest of the car. 5 - I knew this before I bought it but the sun roof is a pathetic size and I don't think it opens and tilts forwards to reduce wind noise which is a design feature of every small sunroof I've ever had.. Also I'm disappointed I couldn't order a full cream leather interior. The version with the black down the sides makes it look like a golf bag - very tacky. Love everything else but someone should be sacked for camera and sunroof design and whoever ruined the interior needs to go back to golf apparel.

When will there be a update for an information centre in my 2022 Onyx outback

Just did a drive from San Diego to northern Illinois suburbs in 23 outback. The cruise control and steering assist were hugeeeeee help

Please do a complete video on the software update and things to watch out for. I tried to perform the update on my 2021 outback XT on my driveway and the system crashed after spending more than one hour. Apparently you are supposed to have the key fob away from the car and lock it ? Or is it the other way around ? …… Anyway the update was not successful and the car was behaving strangely. I had it back at the dealership to complete the update. According to the dealer, my battery was not fully charged ? The car battery ( special for the outback) was replaced under warranty. You still cannot turn off the auto stop start permanently 😡

Love your videos, Alex. I just picked up my new 2024 Outback Touring and I was disappointed how weak the display is on a sunny day and it was very impossible to read wearing my polarized sunglasses. There was a blotchy, morray which covered the screen. Without the glasses it looked normal, but still dim in the sun. I had no such problems with the 8 inch display in my 2022 Crosstrek. Ever hear of this problem?

Great explanation Alex! Best wishes to you and your family.

Hello Alex. I watch all of your videos. Does Subaru have a Hybrid?

Isn't there a way to have the AVH button at the main screen, next to the Start/Stop button? I thought I saw that somewhere.

Anyone know when earlier 202x models will get the software update to allow fullscreen Android Auto??? I feel like it was announced an eternity ago, but Subaru went dark about it.

are they still planning on bringing the updated climate stuff to the older models? my mom has a 2020 and it still has not gotten an update for the new interface yet.

thanks for sharing this video very informative, made me decide to go with the older models before this refresh.

We recently got a 2024 Outback & this video has been very helpful. But a question: Is there any way to make the touchscreen more sensitive?

Thank you very helpful and a good reminder now that winter has set in. I. have a 2022 Outback and need to upgrade some of the controls like iphone etc...Happy Holidays! I live in Vermont!

Your video shows the stop start icon on the home screen, but I’ve seen in some videos you need to go into vehicle settings to access that. I will have to go to a dealership to see exactly where it is. If it’s on the home screen then great, if not then I buy a different car.

Subaru should have stayed with 8 inch screen and make resolution better plus faster response. My 2023 Forester’s 8” screen is perfect size. Manual buttons for X-mode and seat heating are easy to use. This 11.6 inch screen does not add much value.

Great information just got a 2023 outback wilderness.

Alex--your videos are SO helpful!! Thank you so much.

Just bought same one. White onyx. Thanks for explaining touch screen 👍🏻

Great Details! To mention as well, I live in the PNW and we currently have ice in the mornings. When I get in the car and drive off all of my Driving Assistance features are turned off, and I guess until all ice is melted off? But I’ve gone back into the settings and turned my lane changing and such back on manually.

Love your videos as always. I'm asking question again. When you first start the car a warning comes on the info center and you have to press agree. Can we take that off?

Thanks Alex for your great reviews. I have a 2019 Outback. I’ll be listening to the radio band when I receive a call, the volume of the ringer is deafening. Is there a way to set the volume to a lower level on my Outback?

Great Video! thank you. On the infotainment screen, when you push radio it displays a horizontal bar with AM, FM, Sirius, etc. You showed this in the video. I often access this bar by pushing the source button on my steering wheel. Is there a way to change the order of the items listed. For example I never listen to AM or FM, is there a way to move them to the end of the bar or delete them all together? TIA

I just ordered a 2024 Outback wilderness. I use RU-vid on my iPhone to play music/ podcasts. Will the RU-vid app show up when you sink via the bluetooth connection? Unfortunately I don’t use a paid service such as Spotify. Thanks!

Well-presented video, very helpful. I wonder why, when the car is festooned with cameras. they don't build in drive recording functionality? Not only Subaru of course, no maker has drive recording as standard.

Greetings Alex! Thanks for all the awesome videos! They are very helpful! When using Google maps the navigation voice isn’t audible. I have a Galaxy S21 phone and a 2021 Outback. I also have a friend with a 2019 Outback and Apple phone who has the same issue. Can you help? Thanks!

Cool shit. I'm totally psyched to buy a new vehicle at some point, but that might be another 10 years from now.

I have a 2024 Subaru Outback Premium. Sometimes my warning sound comes on and other times when it should come on, it doesn't. Is there a setting I should check?

Hi Alex i have onyx 2023 and touch display is really nice but I have a problem with audio . I created a several folders of music, I am choosing folder,playing melodies from that folder than I turned off the engine and when I start the car next time it’s playing music from first folder. I’ll appreciate if you’ll make a video with explanations how to use audio. Thank you for your videos they are very helpful.

Yea, I would just lovs to deal with all these screens while I'm on the interstate doing 70mph. Did the manual switches for the HVAC & seat heaters cost so much on my 2017 Touring?

Hey Alex, wondering why the artist and song display doesn't show up on the display for HD fm radio stations. It showed up on my last vehicle, but I was hoping it was a setting that I missed on the 2024 Subaru Outback. Can you tell me more about this?

Can you tell me how to turn the radio off, without turning the screen off? I know people have told me to press and hold the volume button, but that turns the entire view screen off. I am so confused about this one thing. Well to be honest I just got a 2023 Legacy after driving a Hyundai since 2006. I feel like I am learning to fly the Millennium Falcon. I love the new Subaru, but it will take some time to get acquainted with the new tech. Thank you for these great informational videos.

Alex, did they fix the screen delay/lag/slowness in the refreshed Outbacks? That is the biggest issue with the car.

Hi Alex, another great video, can you please tell me which Driving Assistance screen settings are persistent and which reset when the car is restarted. I'm particularly interested to know what and or if the Lane Departure settings default on restart.

Alex, I will be towing a boat next week with my 2023 Outback Touring. How do I switch off the rear parking sensors/whatever rear detection? Can't find it in the manual...

Thank you much. Very Helpful

Is there a way to create a shortcut directly to the lane departure warning and intervention on/off? I miss that button on my steering wheel from my 2020 Ascent. I like my lane departure warning when on surface streets or in construction zones, but prefer the lane keeping to be on when on the highway.

Great video...where did you get that cool Subaru hoodie?

Great video but a question for you: how do you turn the screen off while still having music playing,just the display? I like to turn off the screen at night because it is too bright for night driving.

I’m getting a 2024 Subaru Outback. I understand the car has Wi-Fi installed. My cell phone account is with AT&T. What do I do next?

I get a pop up window that says I'm not registered. Did you go through the process of registering yourself with the vehicle?

How does the lane centering act when changing lanes , passing other vehicles or pulling off the roadway?

1. So, how does one use lane centering without being on cruise control? 2. At a drive thru, how do I momentarily keep my engine off when I brake? The engine always turns on those times!

Alex, I enjoy all of you videos. Question, 2022 Outback Limited XT bought new in Nov. 2021, why would the STARLINK icon on the screen be grayed out and not work?

Hey Alex, That Subaru Driver Monitoring Short you did, great you can turn it off. But can you set it to be off permanently or do you have to access that setting every time you drive the vehicle? Cheers, RJ

So many comments about the infotainment system, ie taking eyes off the road. In this day and age, you would think that you could have a voice control for basic functions. This would eliminate a lot of distraction while changing settings

very good presentation. thank you.

Our 2020 Toyota RAV4 has sensors in the front bumper which can brake the vehicle if it gets too close to an object. Can our 2023 outback have the same safety sense? How do I activate it.

The glare from the sun on the screen is really bad at times. Is there anything I can do about that?

Hello, I just got a new Outback touring today, I was able to change the instrument panel colour on my 2019 model, can I change it on the Touring model? Can’t seem to find the option?

Thank you. Very well done.

Hi, here's a new Outback owner that didn't know about the rear seatbelt chime. Is there anyway to disable the annoying rear seatbelt warning??

When the lane departure prevention system only is turned on, but the buzzer is turned off, the orange lane departure icon on the dash indicates that the lane departure system is off. I can still feel that the system is on when getting close to a road line as it gives a little correction/stiffness in the wheel, but I'm just asking why the lane departure prevention icon on the dash says it is off, when only the buzzer turned off. Is this normal for the 2023 Outback?

Are the controls the same in a 2022 Forester? Thank you.

Can your ipad with Wi-Fi only work in the car if linked through Bluetooth?

Hey, thanks for the info, but was it you that showed how to move the widgets around once in a video (like on a smartphone)? I'm trying to figure out how to do it... (it's also been asked in a Facebook Subaru group) Edited: never mind, I found it (and shared it on FB)

Alex, Question for the heater mirrors, how do I turn them on? Thanks

Can the 2023 wrx a/c button be configured like the outbacks? I have my 23 outback set to recalculate but I can't find the setting to do the same with my wrx.

Subaru Australia does not care about the customer's satisfaction, cause they won't update the infotainment system to wireless carplay. I wrote to them a few months ago & said the US market have that update. Their response was pretty blunt that the US Subaru is a different entity. Wow. Thanks for the enlightenment.

Thank you very much for all your videos. I picked up my brand new onyx XT yesterday and I am going through many videos trying to set it up for some reason my phone paired fine but all the apps don’t show up on the screen. Any ideas?

Could you please explain WELCOME screen? Rather ive got it on or off i see no difference even tho i added my name. Birthday reminder works but welcome screen, maybe not? 23 onyx

Alex, how to turn off the automatic radio on when starting the engine on a Forester 2022?

How can brake hold work when you also have start/stop doing its thing?

Can the screen in a 2021 Outback Wilderness be upgraded?

So can we order a new Subaru the way we want it? No auto lights, no CVT transmission, no start stop, no DRL?

I have a 2022 Subaru Forester. I have been having issues with the phone system unpairing my phone. I have to pair it and download my contacts and give permission to access texts over and over again. It has happened at least 30 times. The Android Auto works fine most of the time. Is this something that can be fixed if I take it for service? It is the one feature that drives me crazy.

Does outback wilderness (2023) have the latest screen/software?

I’ve noticed when I charge my iPhone in the front of the car, and not turn on CarPlay my ring on my phone is silent. Sometimes I don’t want CarPlay to be connected just my phone to be charged. Any reason to why it silence my phone?