At this point,Apple CarPlayis so widespread that it’s become a must on the wishlist of car shoppers, unless perhaps they’re in the market for aTeslaor Rivian with their own smart interfaces to be desired. CarPlay adds tremendously to your driving convenience by letting you access preferred music, charging, and navigation apps without a half-baked automaker interface getting in the way. In the future, I’m sure that the software will even start replacing most of a car’s gauges and buttons.
Once you’ve got youriPhoneset up for CarPlay, the next thing is making sure compatible apps are installed. The good news here is that there’s (almost) nothing you need to do, in most cases, outside personalizing the experience for maximum enjoyment.
Where is Apple’s next-generation CarPlay?
The next-generation of Apple CarPlay is coming, but it’ll be a while before your Honda dashboard looks like a Rivian or a Tesla.
How to install apps in Apple CarPlay
The basics and the better ones
By default, any apps compatible with CarPlay should automatically appear on your dash if they’re installed on your iPhone. There’s no comprehensive support list available, but here’s a sample of some of the better-known options on the App Store, excluding Apple’s (which are baked into iOS anyway):
Automakers also have their own proprietary apps. Some of these may only show up when CarPlay is active and being used with the right vehicle brand, however.
Can’t connect to Apple CarPlay? These 6 troubleshooting tips might help
Often, CarPlay can be reconnected in a matter of moments.
How to add, remove, or rearrange apps on the CarPlay homescreen
The real trick with CarPlay apps is managing them. You may not want some compatible apps to appear on your homescreen, and even when you do, they won’t always appear where you want them – no one wants to swipe through two or three pages just to launch Spotify or Google Maps.
How to use Google Maps in Apple CarPlay
Google Maps is often the best in-car navigation option.
To add, remove, or rearrange apps, follow these steps:
Any changes you make in Settings should automatically take effect the next time you connect your iPhone to your car. You may need to experiment a little to find an ideal layout, but wait until you’re parked to start tweaking anything.
10 essential CarPlay apps I use for every road trip
CarPlay apps have changed the way you get around town. These are the most useful ones to run in 2024 for navigation, communication, and more.
Q: How do I know if an app is compatible with CarPlay?
Aside from checking CarPlay settings on your iPhone, or getting in your car, the only other way of telling is to check App Store listings or a developer’s website.
Q: What are the requirements for CarPlay?
Assume you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 9.3 or later. Realistically you’ll probably want a device with iOS 13 or better, since that’s when Apple introduced an overhauled main interface. Some features, like SharePlay and Siri announcements, may require later iOS releases.
