Key Takeaways
- Customise CarPlay to match your model and preferences, together with background and structure changes.
- Cut up-screen function lets you view a number of apps concurrently, like music and maps.
- Arrange Driving Focus to reduce notifications whereas driving; use Siri for hands-free management.
Whereas I have been an Apple fan since earlier than the primary iPhone even got here out, I used to be a little bit of a latecomer to CarPlay. Earlier than I up to date to an SUV, I would pushed a primary truck for greater than a decade, one that did not have any type of touchscreen built-in. However, I in a short time found my affinity for Apple prolonged to my new-to-me automobile, with a big display screen for viewing instructions and adjusting my music. I shortly discovered myself grateful that, with CarPlay on, my youngsters within the backseat may simply read the arrival time as a substitute of asking, “are we there but?”
However, as a relative beginner to CarPlay, I stored by chance discovering options that I want I had identified about all alongside. I lastly sat down and acquired to know CarPlay in addition to I do know my iPhone, uncovering the most important hidden options of Apple’s infotainment help. In the event you solely use CarPlay to regulate your music and navigate with Apple Maps, listed below are eight stuff you’ll want you knew methods to do all alongside from Apple CarPlay.
You do not have to make use of the touchscreen for CarPlay — your automotive’s radio controls will work to navigate as properly.
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Whereas it is easy and intuitive sufficient, you have to be conscious of those specific steps.
1 Customise your view
Make CarPlay tuned to your pursuits
Like along with your iPhone, you may customise the look of your display screen in CarPlay, although it could not have fairly as many choices for, say, a cool background. However, the best option to get essentially the most out of your infotainment system is to customise CarPlay. Here is how.
- Change your background: CarPlay would not have as many background choices as an iPhone, however you may nonetheless select from a handful of decisions to match your character or even perhaps the inside of your automobile. With CarPlay energetic, faucet Settings from the app view. Subsequent, faucet change background.
- Keep on darkish mode: By default, most infotainment screens alter because the ambient mild modifications, mechanically switching to darkish mode at nightfall. However in the event you want the look of darkish mode, you may hold it on within the daytime. From CarPlay, faucet the Settings app after which choose Look, then At all times Darkish.
- Regulate your app structure: You possibly can’t faucet and maintain on the CarPlay display screen to maneuver your apps round like you may along with your iPhone, however you may transfer them round. As an alternative, open the Settings app in your iPhone, not in CarPlay, faucet Basic then CarPlay. Choose your automobile, then faucet Customise. On the app listing, faucet the three-line or hamburger icon and drag and drop them into the order you need them to look on the display screen. You too can take away some apps by tapping the purple minus icon.

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2 Cut up the display screen to show a number of apps directly
Hold your music and your map seen on the similar time


My favourite hidden CarPlay function is the split-screen view. As soon as I spotted what the tiny button within the nook did, I now not needed to change backwards and forwards between my map and my music. In CarPlay, faucet the icon with all of the little squares within the backside left nook to return to your app view. However, as soon as in your app view, in the event you press in that nook once more, (the icon now ought to like one sq. with three traces subsequent to it), you will enter break up display screen mode.
The SplitScreen view mechanically populates with both the default Apple apps or your most used apps. If you’d like an app to indicate up there, faucet again to the app view, open the app, then head again to the break up display screen view, and you must now see that current choice among the many choices. That is how one can, for instance, get Apple Maps off the break up display screen and use Google Mapsas a substitute.

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3 Use your iPhone as a key fob
Not all fashions provide this function, nevertheless
BMW
Technically, that is an Apple Pockets function and never a CarPlay one, however it’s nonetheless one for drivers to notice. Apple CarKey is a function that enables iOS customers to make use of an iPhone to unlock their automotive. The listing of automobiles that help this function, nevertheless, tends to take a seat extra on the posh facet of carmakers.
However, in case your automotive is not supported by Apple CarKey, many producers have their very own app that may equally assist you to use your smartphone to unlock and even begin your automotive. In case your make and yr are supported, you may obtain the app out of your automotive producer for comparable capabilities.

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4 Use map apps moreover Apple Maps
Sure, you should utilize Google Maps or Waze
Naturally, CarPlay defaults to Apple Maps. However, you should utilize different navigational apps as a substitute, together with Google Maps and Waze. First, you’ll want to set up the third celebration map app, like Google Maps, in your smartphone. Then, whereas Apple Maps might pop up mechanically, head to the app display screen in CarPlay and choose your most well-liked navigator.

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Google Maps is commonly one of the best in-car navigation possibility.
If Apple Maps is not your favourite, you may rearrange your apps to see your prime decide on the primary display screen of CarPlay utilizing the customization ideas above. Equally, third-party apps will even work with the break up display screen view; you simply must open the app you need first, then return to that break up display screen.
5 Activate Driving Focus for fewer notifications mechanically
On iOS 18, you may as well select to mechanically flip your cellphone on silent while you begin driving
CarPlay may also help decrease distractions whereas driving by permitting you to regulate your podcasts or Spotify along with your radio controls as a substitute of your cellphone. However, CarPlay’s tendency to show your notifications in your infotainment display screen could also be extra distracting than useful. Driving focus is a function that mechanically cuts again your notifications whereas driving.
At all times take note of the highway. Regulate your CarPlay preferences earlier than you begin driving and do not textual content and drive.
You possibly can arrange Driving Focus in your iPhone, or from the Settings app on CarPlay.
- In your iPhone, open Settings, then Focus, then faucet the plus icon within the nook.
- On the following display screen, choose driving.
- Beneath Enable Notifications, you may select which individuals (if any) are allowed to come back by whereas driving. Beneath that, you should utilize the auto reply to ship a message that you’re driving and can textual content them again when it’s secure to take action.
- Beneath this, you may customise your lock display screen to reduce distractions.
- Lastly, on the backside of the display screen you may select to activate Driving focus mechanically when linked to your Automotive’s Bluetooth, or solely manually.
A function added on iOS 18 equally lets you mechanically flip your cellphone on silent mode whereas driving. Search for this selection within the Settings app on CarPlay, then Sounds.

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6 Use Apple CarPlay wirelessly
An adapter connects your system with no charger
Whereas a number of automobiles provide wi-fi compatibility, most nonetheless require a USB connection to your iPhone to launch CarPlay. But when the truth that we are able to wirelessly cost our telephones however not hook up with CarPlay irks you, it’s doable to go wi-fi: you will simply want an adapter. There are a variety of various wi-fi CarPlay adapters obtainable, however one of the best ones provide fast and straightforward connection.

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7 Use CarPlay on older automobiles
Add a show to an older automobile to entry CarPlay on a budget
Stacksocial / Pocketlint
You do not really want a more recent automobile with an infotainment system to make use of CarPlay. However, you do want a show. You possibly can add CarPlay capabilities to autos with out an infotainment system by shopping for a third-party show.
8 Ask Siri for assist
Like cellphone calls, Siri solutions proper by your automotive audio system
Apple’s voice assistant works on CarPlay too. In the event you press the speak button in your steering wheel whereas CarPlay is on, you will see a colourful bubble that claims Siri is listening. Or, if in case you have Hey Siri arrange in your iPhone, it should work in your automotive too. Siri may also help you retain your eyes on the highway by adjusting your music for you. You too can have Siri mechanically learn any textual content messages, an possibility that you’ll find within the CarPlay Settings app.

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You possibly can management your automotive’s infotainment system along with your voice, no matter whether or not you are an Apple or Android loyalist.
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