Apple CarPlay is Apple’s answer to the fragile relationship between phones and driving. Your phone has a bunch of useful apps and tools that can help with driving, but it’s also a proven distraction. CarPlay, like Google’s Android Auto, promises safe access to what you need while on the road.
In simple terms, CarPlay takes the apps on your phone and streams them to your car’s infotainment screen – complete with hands-free control and an easy-to-driving interface. This means you can navigate, call or text, control your music, and more without posing a danger to anyone else on the road.
But how does the driving-friendly app work, and what exactly can you do with it? Here’s everything you need to know about Apple CarPlay.
What iPhones are CarPlay Compatible?
CarPlay works with every iPhone released since the launch of the iPhone 5 in late 2012. This includes the most budget-friendly devices like the iPhone 5C and the first generation iPhone SE, right up to the latest iPhone 13 range.
Pending any major changes in Apple’s in-car strategy, it’s also safe to assume that it will work with all future iPhones — including the upcoming iPhone 14.
CarPlay doesn’t work with iPads or iPods, and needless to say you can’t use it if you have an Android phone.
What cars offer CarPlay integration?
While CarPlay started as a somewhat specialized software when it was launched in 2014, it has spread rapidly in the automotive industry. With that in mind, you’ll struggle to find a car maker that doesn’t support CarPlay in some form, and even fewer newer cars that do without it.
CarPlay is currently supported by more than 600 cars, supported by almost every major car manufacturers. Apple has a fairly comprehensive List of Apple Cars (Opens in a new tab) View car manufacturers who support CarPlay and on cars. However, it is always a good idea to double-check CarPlay support for any vehicle you wish to purchase.
The obvious exception to this trend is Tesla, which does not support CarPlay or Android Auto. Instead, the all-electric car maker offers its own premium connectivity package — complete with navigation, streaming, and remote control of some features. However, this costs $10 per month, while CarPlay is free and depends on your current data plan.
An increasing number of cars are also looking to Google for their software needs, running their cars on the new Android Automotive OS. Unlike Android Auto, a CarPlay-like app, Android Automotive is built into the car from day one – replacing the need for any in-house software. But what does this mean if you have an iPhone?
The good news is that CarPlay can still work if your car is running Android Automotive OS. Provided the car manufacturer supports it for that particular model, you can plug in your iPhone and use it as normal.
Can I get CarPlay in the car I already own?
There are a number of different ways to add CarPlay to a car after the event, but some are trickier than others. The simplest way is to purchase a stand-alone monitor that supports CarPlay, but does not require any extensive retrofits to retrofit your vehicle.
It’s worth noting that unlike Android, Apple doesn’t have a dedicated driving mode on iPhones, and there’s no standalone CarPlay app. There’s a Driving Focus mode, which turns off phone-related distractions while you’re driving, but nothing that lets you use the CarPlay style interface on your phone.
Devices like Intellidash Plus are available, and they let you connect your phone and access CarPlay. Functionally, it’s no different than if you bought a car built in CarPlay, although you’ll need to find a place to place the monitor so that it’s useful and doesn’t block your view of the road.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer something simpler, you can always swap out your vehicle’s official display/navigation system with an aftermarket unit. You just need to be prepared to take on all the hassles of buying a new unit and replacing your old one.
It also depends on the actual ability to upgrade your vehicle, this is not an absolute guarantee. You also have to keep in mind that a lot of aftermarket units require a double DIN slot, while a lot of older cars may only have one. There are Single-DIN CarPlay units, but how much you choose depends on your vehicle.
Prices vary here, but you’ll be expected to hand over at least a few hundred dollars. Units like the Pioneer DMH-1500NEX (Opens in a new tab) They cost just under $500, while more advanced units like wireless Kenwood Exelon DNX997XR (Opens in a new tab) or 10.1 inch Pioneer WT8600NEX (Opens in a new tab) It can cost upwards of $1,500.
Of course, you also need to consider installation costs. Because that is the kind of business that you should leave to the capable hands of professionals. So, realistically speaking, it might be worth buying a stand-alone monitor and saving yourself the trouble.
How do you connect your iPhone to CarPlay?
There are two ways to connect your iPhone to CarPlay, the simplest of which is to connect your phone to your car’s USB port using a Lightning cable. Once connected, CarPlay will appear on your car screen, and all your compatible apps will be updated.
There are also cars that support Wireless CarPlay. If you have one of them, your phone will prompt you to set up a wireless connection the first time CarPlay is activated – which will happen automatically with future drives. Here’s a look at how to set up wireless Apple CarPlay.
Note that Apple does not keep an updated list of cars that support Wireless CarPlay. Which means you’ll need to do your homework before you buy a car, or turn to a third-party CarPlay wireless adapter.
What apps work with CarPlay?
A large number of apps are compatible with CarPlay, and unsurprisingly many include Apple’s. Maps, phone, messages, music, etc. are available, but there are plenty of third-party CarPlay apps as well.
While Apple doesn’t provide an exhaustive list of CarPlay-compatible apps, there is a healthy selection of options available. But, given that these apps should be convenient to drive, you won’t find anything distracting or requiring extended eye contact. So no Netflix, no Apple TV Plus, no games, etc.
Instead, the apps fall into a few basic categories: navigation, communication, and voice. So there are a bunch of apps that let you listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and internet radio, including big names like Audible, Spotify, and TuneIn.
Likewise, Google Maps and Waze are both compatible with CarPlay, so you don’t need to use Apple Maps. Electric vehicle owners will also have access to apps like PlugShare, in case you need to find an EV charger in a hurry. And you can make calls or send messages using just your voice via services like WhatsApp.
The easiest way to find out if CarPlay supports a particular app is to connect your phone and see if it does. Alternatively, searching for “CarPlay” in the App Store will provide some options you might not have considered before – although there’s no obvious way to filter those options.
However, if you tend to stick with the big-name apps, you won’t have many problems.
How does Siri integrate with CarPlay?
Siri is a very important part of the CarPlay system, because it enables you to control what is going on using your voice. This way your hands can stay on the steering wheel, and you won’t be clicking blindly on a touch screen.
Siri works just as it does when you use your phone normally. All you have to do is say “hey Siri” and tell it what you want. Whether you need directions to the nearest gas station, control your music, or send a text message, Siri can help.
However, Siri is an online tool, and it depends on you having an active data connection. And because Siri is connected to the cloud, there can be a few seconds of delay between you being given commands and them actually happening.
Do you need a cellular signal for CarPlay to work?
yes. Mostly anyway. CarPlay is basically a different way to interact with your phone – nothing more. So if there’s a feature that requires an active data connection on your phone, CarPlay won’t change that.
If you accidentally drive into a signal black dot, or hit your data cap, all of those same features will stop working properly. If this happens, you’ll need to rely on your car’s built-in infotainment system instead.
Does CarPlay control the dashboard?
No – mostly.
CarPlay is basically just an external display for your phone, and Siri can only handle requests related to your device. So while Siri can change the volume, it can’t raise the temperature or activate cruise control. This can be particularly frustrating if you need to use the car’s touch screen to control any of these features.
Fortunately, some automakers offer CarPlay in split-screen mode, ensuring you have access to both phone and car systems while you’re driving.
Vehicle features are still a completely separate entity for now, and will remain so until Apple and the automakers decide to collaborate on something more advanced. Rumor has it that something like this, codenamed IronHeart, is in the works, but it may also have to wait for Apple to release the custom in-vehicle operating system. This will be the equivalent of Google’s Android Automotive OS, which will be included in the car on the production line.
However, that may not happen for some time, especially with the uncertain situation of the Apple car. Given Apple’s habit of refusing to talk about the store until a product is announced, don’t expect to hear much about this possibility until the day it arrives.
Do CarPlay-enabled vehicles support Android phones as well?
Usually yes, although there are a few exceptions.
In the early days, automakers only seemed to offer CarPlay or Android Auto, but not both. However, they soon realize that supporting both was the best option – so the vast majority of them do.
Google has Car List (Opens in a new tab) Known for providing Android Auto support, which you can refer back to An apple (Opens in a new tab). This way, if you’re using an iPhone, and someone else driving prefers Android, you can use the appropriate system.
The Mini and Rolls-Royce only support CarPlay, and we haven’t announced any plans to release Android Auto yet. Meanwhile, both Bentley and Koenigsegg have Android Auto support solidly in the “soon” category, but they haven’t revealed any sort of schedule.
Then, of course, Tesla does not support either.
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