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When you’re buying, leasing or renting a new or used car, you’ll probably consider factors such as how many passengers it holds and how much luggage space it offers. You may also want to know the fuel efficiency and whether the engine is gasoline or electric.
But one factor you may want to consider is whether the vehicle comes with Apple CarPlay. By having Apple CarPlay in your car, your driving experience may be more fun and efficient. You may even become spoiled by its many features.
And if you’re not in the market for a new car, you still may be able to get Apple CarPlay in your current car.
What Is Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is an infotainment feature available in over 500 different car models, dating from 2014. With Apple CarPlay your car’s dashboard can display your iPhone’s apps, similar to how your iPhone screen displays them.
CarPlay lets you control apps in your car using touch (if you have a touchscreen in your car), buttons, knobs and your voice using Siri. You may also be able to use buttons and knobs on your steering wheel to control CarPlay.
Sound from Apple CarPlay comes through your car’s speakers.
Using Apple CarPlay
To use Apple CarPlay, connect your iPhone to a car with Apple CarPlay. Most cars require you to connect your iPhone with a cable to a USB outlet in your car, while a few models allow for a wireless CarPlay connection.
You may need to give permission to use Apple CarPlay, on your phone and/or on your car display.
To control Apple CarPlay and rearrange how the apps appear on your car’s screen use your iPhone. Go to Settings => General => CarPlay. Tap your car model, then Customize on the next screen to control which apps appear on your car’s screen and arrange them in the order that works best for you. Delete any apps you won’t use in CarPlay.
After you’ve connected your phone to your car, you’ll see app icons displayed on your dashboard screen. You can use these apps in your car similar to how you use them on your iPhone.
Beginning with iOS 13, Apple CarPlay includes the calendar app that can show you the day’s appointments and guide you to your next appointment.
Apple CarPlay integrates with your contacts so you can call someone using Siri or get directions to their location. You can also see who’s calling, call your Favorites, and add people to your call using CarPlay.
The Messages app on Apple CarPlay can alert you to incoming messages and read them aloud. You can also ask Siri to send a message to anyone in your contact list. Messages won’t appear in writing on the screen. Instead, Siri will read the messages, which can be quite comical, and/or irritating when someone sends you a link to a website.
Use Apple CarPlay to choose your playlists for songs and podcasts. Controls on the screen let you navigate through your listening choices, and fast-forward and rewind within your selections.
Beginning with iOS 13, Apple CarPlay no longer changes the app on the dashboard screen when a new app is opened on the iPhone. That means Apple CarPlay can keep the navigation map displayed while a passenger chooses a song in a music app on the iPhone connected to CarPlay.
No need to worry about your car’s built-in GPS system having outdated maps and you having to pay for updates. CarPlay uses the apps on your phone so the maps stay current and updates are free.
Using Siri with Apple CarPlay
Siri can come in very handy with Apple CarPlay to help you keep your eyes on the road while driving. Use your voice to ask Siri to make a call, listen to voicemail messages, get directions, play a song, control HomeKit appliances, or send a message to a contact.
Hungry? Ask Siri to find a local restaurant, place a call to make a reservation, then guide you to their location.
Which Apps Work with Apple CarPlay?
Not all apps work with Apple CarPlay. To see which apps do work with Apple CarPlay, check out Apple’s CarPlay page or connect your phone to a car with Apple CarPlay to see which apps appear on the screen.
CarPlay supports music apps such as Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Google Play Music, SiriusXM, Radio Disney, Apple Music, and others. Listen to the spoken word with apps such as Audible, Overcast, Stitcher, NPR One, Downcast, and more.
You can choose from navigation apps, such as Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, and others to guide you to your destination. With Apple Maps your Apple Watch will tap your wrist alerting you when it’s time to turn.
Apple CarPlay Availability
Apple CarPlay is available on over 500 car models, some as a standard feature, others as an optional feature. The full list of car models with Apple CarPlay available can be found at the Apple CarPlay Car Models page.
Although some car companies charge initially to add Apple CarPlay as a feature, currently no subscription fees are charged for using Apple CarPlay. BMW used to charge an $80 yearly fee for CarPlay, but eliminated the fee earlier this month.
Car and Driver, Apple CarPlay Is Free for BMW Owners, Starting Now
To use Apple CarPlay you must have an iPhone 5 or later model iPhone. Apple CarPlay will not work with iPads.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Apple CarPlay
If you’ve used Apple CarPlay, you may quickly become hooked and wish you could get it in your car. The good news is that you may be able to get Apple CarPlay in your current vehicle.
If your model car offers Apple CarPlay with newer models, and you bought your car within the past few years, contact your dealer to learn whether Apple CarPlay can be added to your car via a simple software update. Sometimes a simple software update can add Apple CarPlay to a vehicle. One friend of mine was able to get CarPlay added to his car for free just by asking his dealer for it.
If CarPlay isn’t available as a software update for your car, you may be able to get CarPlay as an after-market system. The Verge, Getting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in your car is easier than you think
Or, you could buy a new car with Apple CarPlay.
What Else You Need to Know About Apple CarPlay
Not sure whether Apple CarPlay is for you? Take a test drive of a car with Apple CarPlay or rent one for a day. Ask a friend with Apple CarPlay if you can connect your phone to see how it works.
Many of the features of Apple CarPlay, though not all, require an Internet connection and/or cell service. If you’re streaming music, getting turn-by-turn directions, using Siri, or sending a message, you’ll need to be in an area with cell phone signal.
If you’re in an area without cell phone reception, you can still use CarPlay to listen to songs, podcasts, and audiobooks you’ve downloaded onto your phone. Also remember that using Siri, streaming music, and or maps may use up your monthly cell phone data allotment.
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One type of app that isn’t available on CarPlay is a weather app. Having a weather app with satellite images of conditions in your location could be very helpful in avoiding dangerous storms. I hope that such a weather app becomes available in a future iOS update for CarPlay.
Your Thoughts
Have you tried Apple CarPlay? What are some of your favorite features of Apple CarPlay? Which features would you like to see added to Apple CarPlay?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn,
I don’t know if my car supports this feature, but this feature sounds very interesting. I might ask the dealer about this, while i have an iPhone.
Hi Bintang, Yes, do ask your dealer whether a simple software upgrade can bring Apple CarPlay to your car. If the update is free you could give Apple CarPlay a try to see whether you enjoy using it.
Carplay is a must have for Apple lovers! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Stuart, Yes, I feel the same way. The convenience and the safety make Apple CarPlay a must-have for those who have iPhones and drive a car.
I am having both car and iphone but don’t know about Apple carplay feature.
That article is very useful for me. So, bye everyone i am going to download Apple carplay now.
Hi Harshal, I hope Apple CarPlay is available for your model car and the option can be added by a free software update to your car. If not, you’ll have to invest in an after-market solution, which is less expensive than getting a new car!
Agreed – When i bought my car it had this (which i didn’t realise what it was) and now i couldn’t live without it. There is so many features and suprisingly all of them are useful!
Hi George, Wow, you didn’t even realize you had Apple CarPlay. What a wonderful surprise that must have been when you discovered you had it. I’m so glad you’re enjoying Apple CarPlay now.