With very few exception , the navigation and entertainment software package running on the dashboard touchscreens for modern cars isawful . Dated user interface design , confusing layout , and rarely - if - ever updated software and data .
Fortunately , Apple has a fix for that : CarPlay .
What is CarPlay?
CarPlay is a lineament built into your iPhone that turn it into the learning ability and interface for your railroad car ’s infotainment video display , and it ’s a immense footstep up from what you get in most auto .
in the beginning launched in 2014 , CarPlay is now supported on a wide diverseness of vehicles , and there ’s even a next - genesis version on the agency . Here ’s what you necessitate to sleep with about CarPlay , its supported devices and vehicle , and suffer apps .
How does CarPlay work?
Using CarPlay on a supported car is easy . Just use your Lightning cable to secure your iPhone into the railcar ’s USB port and select the CarPlay function on your car ’s covert . The exact method acting of selecting CarPlay differs from one car to the next , but it ’s usually fairly obvious .
A small but growing number of car even have wireless CarPlay , which allows you to pair your phone and practice CarPlay without plugging in a cord at all .
Once CarPlay has set forth in your automobile , the port on your infotainment system will be controlled by your iPhone — the car is basically a secondary iPhone display . The interface will find familiar to iPhone users but it ’s dramatically simplify , with big icon and touch modality aim , and very limited options . It ’s meant to be used while drive after all , so everything is large , simple , and requires very few taps .
CarPlay got a big interface update in iOS 13 , but only minor tweaks since .
CarPlay gives you access to select messaging apps , audio apps , and navigation apps . It can learn text edition content loud and transcribe your voice into textbook replies , which is a lot safer than texting while force back .
The latest CarPlay user interface also propose thing for you based on the time , day , and your localisation — play list or podcasts you often listen to , or directions to places you unremarkably beat back , for example .
We explainHow to habituate CarPlayin a separate article .
Which iPhones support CarPlay?
CarPlay works on every phone from the iPhone 5 onward .
CarPlay was introduce in iOS 7.1 , and has gone through a couple of bounteous upgrades over the years . The iOS 13 update was the most late — it totally overhaul the CarPlay user interface and made it possible for more apps to work with the system , like Waze and Google Maps . Since the big iOS 13 alteration , each reading of iOS has tote up small tweaks and new features to CarPlay , but it is largely the same .
A major novel next - generation version of CarPlay is coming , with supporting car models announce in late 2023 .
Which vehicles support CarPlay?
It used to be prosperous to number all the cars that support CarPlay , because there were so few . Its popularity has greatly increase over the last few years and it ’s now useable in 100 of cable car models , from Fords to Ferraris .
One of the last major holdouts was Toyota , but the company begin including CarPlay in many 2019 models , and it ’s available in many 2020 and later Toyota models .
Notably absent from the inclination is Tesla — the troupe controls the “ full stack ” for its software and does n’t brook any sort of secondary interface . you’re able to connect your iPhone to your Tesla via bluetooth and heed to music as well as sync your contacts and calendar , but you ca n’t get a earpiece - drive interface on screen .
There are too many railcar exemplar with CarPlay support to list them all here , but Apple maintains alist of CarPlay compatible car modelsyou can hold in .
Most recently , GM , once a immense garter of CarPlay , announce that it wouldphase out support for the feature(and Android Auto ) on future galvanizing vehicle . GM will habituate its own in - household pilotage and infotainment system developed in alignment with Google .
Which aftermarket systems support CarPlay?
If you have an older car that does n’t have CarPlay already , you might be capable to impart it with an aftermarket infotainment scheme . Kenwood , Alpine , Sony , Pioneer , and JVCare among the marque that offer CarPlay compatible stereo receivers .
We explainHow to get Apple CarPlay in your carin a freestanding article .
Aftermarket system can tot CarPlay ( even wireless ! ) to your existing car .
How much does CarPlay cost?
CarPlay itself does n’t cost you anything . When you ’re using it to navigate , message , or mind to music , podcasts , or audio books , you might use information from your phone ’s data point plan . depend on your cellular data limits , that may terminate up cost you .
Whether it cost money to get CarPlay supporting in your auto is up to its maker . While Apple does n’t charge car manufacturer a fee for the necessary computer software to mix CarPlay , there are some cost associated with meeting the necessary computer hardware requisite .
In some railcar makes and mannequin , it do stock and is included in the cost of the railcar . Other models only support it as part of a premium advance infotainment organisation software system , which often costs C more but usually let in other features . Before you bribe a car , you ’ll want to inquire if it has CarPlay support admit .
Which apps work with CarPlay?
CarPlay is built in the main around core Apple apps like Maps , Music , Messages , and Calendar . But with iOS 13 , Apple amplify the ability for manufacturers to bind into the system , and you may now use lots of third - party navigation apps likeWazeandGoogle Maps , audio apps likeAudible , Spotify , Pandora , and even messaging apps likeWhatsAppandFacebook Messenger .
You do n’t have to put in anything especial to use third - party apps ; If you have a compatible app on your iPhone , you ’ll see its app icon on the CarPlay display .
If you need to reorder your CarPlay apps , openSettingson your iPhone , then selectGeneral , thenCarPlay . Tap thename of your car connectionunder My Cars and thenCustomize . you’re able to then reorder or bump off apps from the CarPlay interface .
How does Siri work with CarPlay?
you’re able to habituate Siri to command CarPlay , using many of the same commands you apply with your iPhone . you’re able to ask for directions , start turn - by - turn navigation , bring medicine or a podcast , or dictate a textbook message to someone .
If your automobile has a voice command clit on the steering wheel , military press and hold it in for a second or two , and you ’ll see the Siri prompt on the cover .
If your car does n’t have a voice release on the steerage wheel , press and view as on the CarPlay splasher or home button . After a couple arcsecond , the Siri prompt will appear and you’re able to give a voice command .
Siri is more than just interpreter statement — it ’s Apple ’s name for all sorts of intelligent assistant mathematical function , like fresh suggestions . Siri will come out locations for calendar entries bechance soon , declare oneself to go along execute the podcast you were playing originally , and suggest charge for locations you often travel to on those days and time , among other thing .
What about the next-generation CarPlay?
When Apple introduced iOS 16 at WWDC in 2022 , it alsointroduced a new “ next - generation ” CarPlay . Apple says , “ This unexampled variant of CarPlay is specific to each vehicle , accommodate unique screen door shapes and layouts . novel levels of personalization allow driver to choose their gauge cluster blueprint , including brand‑specific selection . ”
This new CarPlay will be more tightly integrated with the car itself . It will be capable to show the car ’s meat selective information ( like f number , train , range , battery state of charge , and more ) and moderate intact automobile arrangement like the HVAC , defrost , and so on . Though Apple has not give many details yet , it seems as though it would demand to be work up into the railway car itself and not repulse by the exploiter ’s iPhone , though we think it would sync sure preferences .
Apple
The first car model to corroborate this next - gen CarPlay are scheduled to be declare in late 2023 . Note that this looks like something you ’ll need to buy specific next railroad car model to get , not a new experience drive by your iPhone in existing CarPlay compatible automobile . And if they ’re not even being announced until the remnant of 2023 , the first cars wo n’t be available until at least 2024 .
