Apple CarPlay Quick Facts
We live our lives in concert with our phones, even in the car. It’s a primal need to stay in touch with our people, work, music, and the news.
That’s why Apple CarPlay for iPhone users became so popular since its debut in 2014 in the Ferrari FF. Now, 98% of new cars in the United States come with CarPlay installed, according to Apple.
Read our guide on Apple CarPlay to learn how it can simplify your driving life, how to set it up, and more.
What Is Apple CarPlay?
Apple describes CarPlay as a system that “gives you the ability to safely use what you love about your iPhone while you drive.”
It uses either a Lightning cable or, with many 2022 and later cars, a wireless connection to let your phone interface with your car’s infotainment system.
You can get it on the least expensive car in America (the 2024 Nissan Versa, $17,530 with destination charges) and on pickup trucks, cars, and SUVs of all sizes and in all price ranges. Apple said last year that it is in talks with some automakers to add a new generation of software that will act like an operating system for vehicles. The iPhone maker plans for the first vehicles in the United States with next-generation CarPlay to arrive in 2024. Users can expect upgraded features and an interface tailored to the vehicle’s model and the manufacturer’s branding.
Android users aren’t out of luck. Android works with a similar system called Android Auto, covered in a separate article.
What Does Apple CarPlay Do?
Apple CarPlay allows you to make calls, send text messages using voice commands, listen to text messages (Siri will read them to you), get turn-by-turn directions, control your music, create playlists with passengers in your vehicle, and more, all without touching your phone.
It integrates with your car’s touchscreen and audio controls on the dashboard and steering wheel. It also responds to voice commands.
How Do You Set Up Apple CarPlay?
With a Wired Connection
To set up CarPlay with a wired connection:
- Start your car: Turn on your vehicle to get started.
- Plug it in: Insert a Lightning cable into your car’s USB port and your phone. Your vehicle may have several USB ports, some that can only charge a phone and others that can accept data from one. You’ll need a data connection. Look for the one marked with a phone icon or CarPlay icon.
- Get connected: Wait for your car’s infotainment screen to recognize your phone.
- Expect prompts: Accept any prompts on the car’s screen asking you to agree to connect to the phone.
- Connect on your phone: Accept any prompts on your phone screen asking you to agree to connect to the car.
At this point, CarPlay should connect to your iPhone. It should automatically start anytime you plug your phone into the car in the future. You need to repeat the process anytime your car’s battery gets disconnected.
With a Wireless Connection:
To set up CarPlay with a wireless connection (note — some cars come equipped for wired CarPlay. Consult your car’s owner’s manual to know for sure).
- Turn on the ignition: Start your car.
- Hold down: Press and keep holding the voice command button on your steering wheel.
- Select settings: On your iPhone, select the Settings app.
- Click: Next, click “General,” then “CarPlay.“
- Check the cars list: Find the list of “Available Cars.” Select yours.
- Test the connection: Once the phone says it is connected, test it by using the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri.
After the initial setup, the car will remember you and automatically pair your phone when it’s detected. Some vehicles may default to CarPlay when you start the car.
What Apps Can You Use on Apple CarPlay?
- Navigation apps include Apple’s Maps and Google Maps, Waze, TomTom, TMap, 2GIs, KakaoNavi, and Navitime.
- Music apps such as Apple Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, LiveXLive, Radio Disney, Tidal, and SiriusXM Radio connect to CarPlay.
- News and entertainment apps like Apple’s own Podcasts and News apps, Audible and other audiobook apps, Bloomberg, CNBC, Downcast, MLB, NPR One, and Vox.
- Messenger apps like Line, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Apple’s own Messages.
- EV charging apps like PlugShare and ChargePoint.
- Food ordering apps like Dunkin’, Panera Bread, and Domino’s Pizza. Please note that Apple added food apps as a category, so we expect the list of compatible food apps to grow.
- Parking apps like SpotHero and EasyPark.
- Shopping apps including Amazon.
- Meeting apps like Zoom, Teams, and Webex.
How Do You Turn Off Apple CarPlay?
To turn off CarPlay with a wired connection, simply unplug your phone
With a wireless connection, CarPlay will attempt to connect whenever you start your car. To stop that process, you’ll need to go into your phone’s Settings app, go to “General,” then “CarPlay,” and find your vehicle in the “Available Cars” list. You can then select “Forget This Car” to disconnect CarPlay.
What Cars Have Apple CarPlay?
Nearly every major automaker has included Apple Carplay as standard or optional equipment on much of its lineup since 2022. Whether you’re shopping for a Mitsubishi Mirage or a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Apple CarPlay is available in your price range.
Apple maintains a running list if you want to look up a particular model. If you don’t see the car you’re interested in, keep in mind that manufacturers will likely add CarPlay to the next model year of many vehicles that don’t currently offer it.
Can You Add Apple CarPlay to a Car?
But, for most cars, you’ll need to replace your car’s stereo to add CarPlay. Aftermarket car audio shops and electronics retailers can offer you dozens of replacement systems with CarPlay capability for vehicles with and without built-in touchscreens.
Do You Need Apple CarPlay?
You do not need Apple CarPlay or any other entertainment system in your car. Americans drove vehicles for more than a century without this convenience.
But we do recommend CarPlay or the similar Android Auto system for most drivers. Our phones have become so integrated into our lives that it’s difficult to put them down — even when we’re driving. But, for our safety, we need to stop looking at them and touching them when we drive (we know you know this, but it’s worse than you think — a recent study showed that the average driver could travel the length of three football fields without realizing it while reading a short text).
If you can’t stand not checking your text messages in traffic, CarPlay can help when you ask Siri to read them. This can help all of us feel safer behind the wheel.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
