Apple CarPlay: review, user guide and everything you need to know

Carplay is Apple’s in-house software for pairing an iPhone with a car’s infotainment system. Once you have connected your iPhone to a compatible car, Apple Carplay allows a number of apps to be used through the touchscreen, steering wheel controls or voice recognition system.

By creating its own user interface for iPhones in cars, Apple has aimed to make using your iPhone’s features as safe and straightforward as possible when behind the wheel.

Along with the ability to make phone calls, send messages and look up contacts, CarPlay lets you access your music playlists on apps such as Spotify or Apple Music. You can also use navigation apps such as Apple Maps, Waze or Google Maps. You won’t be able to access every type of app on your phone, though, as only those that are deemed safe to use while driving can be accessed - this means that games are off limits.

A key benefit of the apps used with CarPlay is that they are connected to the internet and constantly updated. This is particularly beneficial when using navigation apps, as these are able to display up-to-date traffic information and can even alter your route to avoid the resulting delays.

Many new cars also provide their own infotainment operating systems that offer smartphone connectivity, but Apple CarPlay often features alongside this manufacturer software. The fact that CarPlay receives regular over-the-air updates means that it can quickly make other pre-installed systems look outdated, although over-the-air software updates are becoming more widely supported in new cars. 

A major update that’s due to arrive in late 2023 will see CarPlay’s functionality expanded to include all driver display screens. This new setup will include dashboard readouts, such as the speedometer, as well as customisable widgets that appear in front of the driver. Some of the car’s functions, including the climate controls, will also be directly controllable via CarPlay for the first time. Only eligible models will receive this upgrade, though, with Volvo being one of the first manufacturers to confirm that its cars will use this new system.

If you’re an Android phone user you won’t be able to use Apple CarPlay with your device, but Google’s Android Auto system will allow you to access many of the same functions. Asking which is better in the great Carplay/Android debate is a bit like choosing between BMW or Mercedes. They’re both great, just a bit different, and whichever phone system you prefer will determine whether Carplay or Android Auto is best for you.

The latest version of CarPlay – what’s new?

Apple CarPlay iOS 16 allows you to unlock and even start some car models with your iPhone. This clever feature also allows you to lend contacts a virtual key, so you can grant friends and family access to your car even if you’re not there to physically hand anything over. The technology also prevents the car from locking if you’ve left your iPhone inside. Only some models built from 2021 onwards are currently compatible with this feature, with BMW being one of the first brands to offer it.

Another new feature is ‘Focus Mode’. This mode makes sure only important notifications are displayed on your car’s infotainment screen when using Apple CarPlay, helping to stop any unwanted distractions. This can be configured for a wide range of instances, for example when you’re sleeping, working or exercising. ‘Drive Focus’ can be set to kick in when you connect to your car’s Bluetooth or it can be switched on manually.

The default navigation app ‘Apple Maps’ now displays maps in 3D, allowing for more context when following your route. These improved details mean that turning lanes, bike lanes and pedestrian crossings can also be displayed. You can also add extra stops to your journey, such as a petrol station.

CarPlay also has the ability to have Apple’s voice assistant Siri read out your text messages automatically when you receive them, meaning you no longer have to distract yourself by interacting with the touchscreen to play them out loud. This feature, known as ‘Siri Announce Messages’, can be toggled in settings.

How to connect Apple CarPlay

Using CarPlay is pretty effortless and you can connect your iPhone (or iPad/iPod) to your car in an instant. All CarPlay systems can be connected via the car’s USB or USB-C socket, and an increasing number of cars now offer a wireless connection, too. Once you’re connected just follow the brief on-screen instructions asking you to unlock your phone. This will permit CarPlay to access it, and then you'll be ready to roll. You will only need to do this once as your iPhone will log the connection you've made to your car, so that the next time you connect, it will start working automatically.

When you connect CarPlay, the car's infotainment screen will show a menu of the compatible apps on your iPhone. This includes pre-installed iPhone apps such as Phone, Music, Maps, Messaging, Audiobooks and Podcasts. Third-party apps such as WhatsApp can also be accessed.

Using CarPlay is far easier and safer to do than trying to use your iPhone while driving, which of course is an offence that's punishable by a fine and points on your licence.

Apple Maps

One of the main highlights of CarPlay is its use of Apple Maps. Apple instals the Map app as standard on all iPhone and iPad devices, and as it's fully CarPlay compatible, it means you can have sat-nav in your car for the fraction of the cost of factory-fitted nav systems. It displays turn-by-turn directions on your car’s infotainment screen, and offers the full range of location search and destination functions that a conventional nav system offers. In fact, some carmakers are already dropping the option of sat-nav on some CarPlay-equipped cars, and it's a real possibility that built-in sat-nav could become obsolete in the near future.

Apple Maps is able to suggest landmarks along a route, show predicted traffic levels and live traffic information, and can also reroute you if necessary. The only downside to Apple Maps is that it relies on your iPhone's network coverage and data allowance or a wi-fi connection to update the map data when you're on the move. That means if you lose your signal for any length of time, you could be left with a dot on the screen representing you and your car, and a blank grid instead of a map of your surroundings.

You can get around this by planning your route while connected to the web before you set off. You can set your destination and Apple Maps will calculate the route and download the map data you need to your iPhone. However, if you miss a turning and go off the planned route, you'll be at the mercy of your network connection as to whether you get the updated route information. 

Apple Siri

Not all cars come with voice control, but iPhones are fitted with the Siri voice assistant as standard, and this adds user-friendly touches when used with CarPlay. It works in conjunction with messaging apps and can read out text messages over the car's speakers. What's more, you can dictate messages to Siri to send to contacts. The effectiveness of this depends on how refined your car is, because background noise can hamper Siri's ability to transcribe what you say.

The other downside to messaging is that Siri cannot handle abbreviations, emojis and picture messages. Often it will read everything literally and describe emojis, which can sound a bit odd. You can also use Siri to navigate through your Music library, by selecting playlists, podcasts and radio apps.

Which cars come with Apple CarPlay?

As time progresses, more and more car makers are embracing CarPlay technology. The first car to use Apple CarPlay was the Ferrari FF, which was revealed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Other makers soon followed suit, and today CarPlay is usually bundled together with Android Auto in a car's infotainment package. It's quickly becoming standard kit on new cars, although some manufacturers, such as BMW, took their time in offering the tech at no extra cost to the customer. 

If you're not in the market for a new car, then you can also buy aftermarket navigation/audio head units that are pre-loaded with CarPlay – reputable manufacturers such as Alpine, Sony, JVC, Pioneer and Kenwood all offer compatible head units.

Apple CarPlay versus Android Auto review – which is better?

The basic features of the two rival systems are broadly similar, but dedicated iPhone users will prefer the simple and refined CarPlay interface, which mimics the look and feel of an iPhone.

Android Auto uses the live update card information system used by Google Now.

Music features naturally reflect the systems’ origins too – so CarPlay uses Music (formerly iTunes) but also connects to Dash Radio, Stitcher and Audible, while Android Auto leads with Google Play Music, but also enables Spotify and Radioplayer.

Both rival systems handle navigation and mapping effectively, but many users will be instantly more comfortable with Android Auto’s Google Maps system, as it’s so familiar from their desktops.

Apple CarPlay versus Android Auto review – verdict

You’ll probably already own a smartphone when you buy your next car, and that will define your choice of in-car operating system.

In terms of functionality the two systems are very similar, but CarPlay focuses on simple, clean, intuitive user journeys while Android Auto’s strength is a more open platform for third-party apps and content. Apple is continuing to open up CarPlay to be compatible with more third-party apps, though.

Tell us about your experiences with Apple CarPlay in the comments section below...