Apple CarPlay is Apple’s answer to the in-car infotainment system. Step aside garish graphics and laggy navigation, CarPlay allows motorists to control the infotainment of their car through Apple’s near-universally familiar IOS interface.
With its familiar design, CarPlay offers a safer alternative to regular infotainment systems – at least in theory. By supporting effortless phone and music synchronisation with easy-to-locate buttons and fewer distractions, CarPlay, like Android Auto, enables drivers to keep their focus on the road rather than fussing with substandard software.
It’s a great tool to improve any car journey and now widely enjoyed. On this page, we’ll explore what CarPlay is, how it works and what you can do to install it in your car.
How do I use Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay works by mirroring an iPhone’s content on a car dashboard’s touch screen display, either by cable or wirelessly in some new cars. Connect your phone – at least an iPhone 5 running iOS 7.1 or later – and Apple’s famously distinct interface will automatically take over the screen. Some manufacturers have optimised the cabins of their cars for CarPlay by including the ‘Home’ button on the side of the display closest to the driver to minimise reach.
In 2022, Apple announced its future plans for CarPlay with tighter integration and wider practical application both on the agenda. The next generation of CarPlay will support multi-screen mirroring to bring entire centreboard clusters into its remit. Not only will it be able to use landscape and portrait displays effectively, it will be able to re-skin a digital dashboard with custom instruments and more information, including a speedometer, fuel level and more.
What does Apple CarPlay allow you to do?
CarPlay mirroring does not completely replicate an iPhone’s screen onto your dashboard. Users are offered journey-relevant functions like Maps, Phone and Music, plus a small selection of third-party apps like Spotify.
As you’d expect, it’s incredibly easy to use. Press the virtual buttons on-screen as you would your iPhone, or tap your car’s voice activation button to initiate Siri, and your CarPlay software is ready to take commands. It’s worth noting, to distinguish between activating the car’s digital assistant and Siri, for the latter you need to hold the button a beat longer.
Does my car have Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay is approaching its 10th birthday – released in March 2014 – but has only been accepted with widespread adoption in the last handful of years. Most cars offer CarPlay support these days, but some older models may require some auxiliary help. To check if your car supports CarPlay, connect your iPhone to your car’s USB socket.
If there’s no immediate mention of CarPlay on either the infotainment screen or your device, support hasn’t been installed.
Aftermarket CarPlay-compatible display units from Alpine, Kenwood or Pioneer are available for around £300 if CarPlay hasn’t already been integrated into your car’s system. Aftermarket displays may also be compatible with other infotainment systems including Android Automotive and MirrorLink.
General Motors recently announced its plans to begin phasing out CarPlay support from its various electric ranges in favour of a new Android Automotive system. The phaseout will start with the arrival of the new Chevrolet Blazer next year.
Is Apple CarPlay free?
Not all cars have Apple CarPlay, but those that do have it pre-installed as a free feature. All you need to do is plug your phone in or connect via Bluetooth to use the service – there is no additional charge or monthly charge.
Why even have Apple CarPlay in the car?
It’s been illegal to use a mobile phone behind the wheel of a car since 2003 in the UK. But as the laws around using a mobile phone while driving have tightened, the capabilities of mobile phones have improved dramatically, to the point where they’re now inextricably intertwined with our daily lives.
From navigation and gaming to photography and social media, where we go our phones go, yet they are the reason behind hundreds of fines and license points every year. So, where does CarPlay come into this? CarPlay bridges the gap between legal and illegal smartphone use in the car.
It supports several crucial functions that many of us use all day, such as music streaming or the use of navigation services but does not require drivers to remove their focus from driving for more than a brief millisecond, if at all.
Thanks to its clear interface and easy operation, it takes the fundamental conveniences of smartphone use and grants safe access to them while keeping an eye on the road.
