In its early days, Apple CarPlay was seen as a game changer in terms of car connectivity. The smartphone integration technology gave drivers an easier, safer way to use their phone while on the go. Today it is the standard for most car infotainment systems. According to Apple, in 2020, over 80% of new cars sold across the globe supported CarPlay. So, what is it exactly? And is it worth it?
What is Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is essentially a smartphone-driven interface that allows you to access the applications and features of your iPhone via the head unit or infotainment system of your vehicle. Once the phone is connected and CarPlay is activated, the infotainment system is overridden and the display screen shows a simplified but similar version of the layout on your iPhone screen. This integration allows you to make phone calls, put on your favourite spotify playlist or find the nearest petrol station using the infotainment touchscreen, Siri voice commands, or the control buttons on your steering wheel. Android developed its own version of this and called it Android Auto. The principles for this are the same, except it is designed for Android phone users and Android apps.
What does Apple CarPlay do?
Much like Android Auto, the range of apps for CarPlay is still fairly limited. This is also for safety reasons, for example, it is not possible to watch videos or play games using CarPlay, even while parked. However, it still includes all the essential pre-installed apps as well as popular third-party apps, including Spotify, WhatsApp, Pandora, Audible, BBC Sounds, Google Maps, Waze, and many more.
Most modern car audio systems are Bluetooth capable, allowing drivers to make hands-free calls but the handy thing about CarPlay is that when it’s connected, all of your contacts are easily accessible as well as your favourites, phone call log, and voicemails. The layout on the display screen is also very familiar, making it easy to use. Many drivers also prefer using navigation applications on their smartphones as opposed to built-in GPS navigation systems.
Perhaps the best part about the interface is that you can control the apps using Siri voice commands. All you have to do is press and hold the voice command button on the steering wheel or the Home button on the touchscreen, and then ask Siri a question or tell the virtual assistant what you want it to do. With iOS 15, Siri is able to announce incoming messages. You can activate this feature in your iPhone settings under ‘Announce Notifications’ or via the settings on your car’s display. Whenever you receive a message, Siri will play a message tone, announce the name of the sender, and read out the message. You can also use the virtual assistant to dictate a reply or record a voice message.
Is it compatible with my phone?
The integrated interface is compatible with most iPhone models, starting from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 13 Pro. It is not supported on iPads or iPods or any smart device that is not an Apple product. It also would not work with older models as it only works with iPhones that have a Lightning connector. Using an adapter will not be effective as incompatible devices do not have the firmware to support it.
Is it compatible with my car?
Today, the vast majority of carmakers offer Apple’s CarPlay. There are now over 600 compatible models on the market from over 60 of the top brands. Some manufacturers, such as Ferrari and Fiat, require you to upgrade to a more expensive trim level to get a large enough infotainment screen.
Alternatively, if you’d like to upgrade an older vehicle to make it compatible with the technology, you can purchase and install an aftermarket head unit that works with CarPlay. This is the cheapest option for most car owners.
How do I set up Apple CarPlay in my car?
First of all, you will need to make sure that Siri is switched on before setting it up. The standard way of connecting your iPhone to the multimedia system is to connect it via the USB port. To do this, you will need a Lightning to USB cable.
Once the phone is plugged into the USB port, a notification should appear on your iPhone screen. You’ll have to grant permission both on your phone and the infotainment screen. Click on the prompts to complete the setup process. Once this has been done, you should be connected to Apple CarPlay automatically whenever you plug in your iPhone. There should also be an icon or button on the car display allowing you to switch between the infotainment system and CarPlay.
Many new cars allow you to connect wirelessly. To do this, make sure your car stereo is on wireless or Bluetooth mode. Press and hold down the voice command button on your steering wheel, then go to the settings on your phone and click on ‘General’ and ‘CarPlay’. Then you can select your car from the list. For more specific information, check your car manual.
How do I turn it off?
This question has a very simple answer. To turn it off, you only need to disconnect your phone by unplugging the USB cable or turning off Bluetooth. The normal infotainment display should still be accessible even when CarPlay is turned on. However, if you want to get rid of this connection completely, you’ll need to head to the CarPlay settings on your smartphone and remove the vehicle from the list of connected vehicles.
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