As we all know, using a smartphone while driving can be quite dangerous, and despite various warnings and penalties, people continue to use their phones while on the road. However, in 2014, Apple introduced a new technology called Apple CarPlay, which offers a safer and more convenient way of staying connected to your smartphone while driving.
This technology allows you to keep your eyes on the road while still enjoying the features of your smartphone, including hands-free driving. If you’re new to Apple CarPlay and want to learn more about it, here’s a beginner’s guide to help you stay hands-free while driving.
When Did Apple CarPlay Debut?
Apple CarPlay was first announced in 2014 at the Geneva Motor Show, with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo being the first manufacturers to adopt the standard. The 2014 Ferrari FF was the first vehicle to hit the market with a full implementation of CarPlay, and since then, it has been adopted by many other manufacturers, including Hyundai, VW, Chevrolet, Honda, and Ford.
What Cars Are Compatible With Apple CarPlay?
As of November 2023, all car brands sold in the United States offer CarPlay, except for two: Rivian and Tesla. General Motors has also announced plans to phase out CarPlay in its EVs, which we’re seeing first in the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. However, vehicles that shipped with CarPlay will not have it disabled by future vehicle updates. Apple maintains a list of vehicles with Apple CarPlay integration, which you can check to see if your car is compatible.
How does Apple CarPlay work?
Apple CarPlay is a standard created by Apple that allows a vehicle’s infotainment system to mirror your phone. This means that many apps that you know and use every day, like Maps, Podcasts, Spotify, and Messages, can be used without needing to touch your actual phone, making it safer to drive. Additionally, CarPlay is not limited to factory systems, so you’re not at the mercy of varying ease of use and general responsiveness.
Apple CarPlay’s Best Features
CarPlay has many useful features, including:
- Light mode/dark mode: CarPlay automatically switches between light mode and dark mode based on whether your headlights are on, but you can force it to stay in one mode until you change it.
- Dashboard view: You can swipe right from the main screen to access “dashboard mode,” which displays several apps at once.
- Navigation alerts to your Apple Watch: If you have an Apple Watch connected to your phone and that phone is currently running CarPlay and either Apple Maps or Google Maps, it will send directions and alerts to your watch.
- Remembering where you parked: Apple Maps and Google Maps will both drop a pin automatically if you park your car and disconnect your phone.
How Do I Enable Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay comes in two flavours: wired and wireless. Wired CarPlay allows you to charge your phone while driving and provides a higher standard of audio. Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth, so once you do the initial pairing and activation of wireless CarPlay by following the prompts on your phone, you shouldn’t have to touch it again. Anyone with an iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9 or later can use either wired or wireless CarPlay. CarPlay does not work with iPods or iPads.
What Apps Are Compatible With Apple CarPlay?
Many native Apple apps have built-in CarPlay equivalents, but third-party apps like Spotify or Google Maps require direct permission from Apple to add CarPlay functionality. Examples of popular third-party apps include IHeartRadio, Waze, Overcast, Zoom, and WhatsApp.
Is Apple CarPlay Useful?
Aside from the safety factor and the familiarity of using apps you already know and trust, one significant benefit of CarPlay is that it’s always the same, regardless of what car you get into. For example, if you get out of your 2022 Honda Civic daily driver and want to load up your 2019 Ford F-150 for a weekend of camping, you’ll have the same seamless infotainment experience in both vehicles. It’s also convenient if you and a significant other share a car.
How to Connect Apple CarPlay to an Older Car
If your older car doesn’t have Apple CarPlay integration, you can still enjoy this feature by installing an aftermarket car stereo that comes with CarPlay integration. Many of these systems are “double DIN,” which refers to the size of the opening needed in the dash to fit them, but most cars have this already. Depending on how handy you are, you can typically install one of these aftermarket stereos yourself, though it’s usually best to have a professional do the installation for you. Prices for these start at around $170 before installation.
