Apple CarPlay: All That You Need to Know

We all want to answer important calls and listen to music and important messages while driving a car without compromising safety. Thus, Apple launched Apple CarPlay to address this need of people. Generally, experts strictly advise against driving and using your phone. With this app, one will not have any problem doing both.

Read on to know more about this application.

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone integration system that the company launched in 2014. Simply put, it takes the apps from your smartphone, integrates and reflects them on the vehicle's infotainment display screen. It comes with a driving-friendly experience and facilitates hands-free control for the driver.

One reason for Apple CarPlay's popularity is easy to access to entertainment while driving on the road. More importantly, it lets users access these apps without making them a danger for themselves and others on the road.

Given below are the steps to use Apple CarPlay:

Step 1: Select an appropriate lightning cable and plug your iPhone into your vehicle's USB port.

Step 2: The car's infotainment display screen will display the functions. Select a requisite CarPlay function.

Step 3: After CarPlay integrates with the vehicle, the latter's infotainment screen will act as the iPhone's secondary display.

Step 4: Use the simplified icons and touch targets. The interface is such that the users don't have to tap or touch unnecessarily.

Step 5: Use the vehicle's options like dials, touchscreen, jog dial and touchpad to start using Apple CarPlay.

Apple CarPlay has worked well with all iPhones released since the iPhone 5 was launched in 2012. It works well with user-friendly and budget-friendly smartphones like iPhone 5C and iPhone SE. Additionally, it works well in sync with the recently launched iPhone 13.

Enumerated below are the steps one can follow to connect their iPhone to the car with the help of CarPlay:

Step 1: Ensure that the region you live in and your vehicle supports CarPlay.

Step 2: If the vehicle supports CarPlay with a USB port, follow the steps mentioned above to connect your iPhone to the car's USB port. Note that the USB port can be labelled with a smartphone icon or a CarPlay icon.

Step 3: In case the vehicle supports wireless CarPlay, make use of the voice command button located on the steering wheel to set up Apple CarPlay.

Step 4: On your iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars.

Step 5: Select your car.

Apple offers a considerable number of CarPlay-compatible apps which fall under categories such as communication, audio and navigation.

One can benefit from many apps of Apple, which is not surprising. While one can use Phone, Messages, Music and Maps, there are several CarPlay apps from third-party providers as well. One can use Spotify, Audible and TuneIn and many other apps that let users listen to podcasts, music, internet radio and audiobooks.

It is not necessary for drivers to use Apple Maps. People can easily use Waze and Google Maps. However, the most convenient way to see the apps that CarPlay supports is to plug in your phone and see. One can even search for Apple CarPlay on the app store to check the options.

A big benefit of Apple CarPlay is that new cars have it pre-installed as a new feature. The only thing that people have to pay for is their phone's regular data plan.

Users must note that if their car does not support CarPlay, they need to purchase an aftermarket stereo or an upgraded media system. The cost of these purchases ranges from Rs. 23,000 to Rs. 80,000. The price depends on various factors, including model, brand, offered features and screen size.

One needs to remember that Siri replaces all buttons of voice commands when using Apple CarPlay. It enables the drivers to access requisite functions hands-free as they do not have to take the trouble of typing or tapping.

You should make sure that your iPhone has the Siri functionality activated. Given below are the steps for activating Siri on your iPhone:

Step 1: Make sure that Siri is set up on your phone.

Step 2: To activate Siri, say 'Hey Siri'.

Step 3: Press and hold the home button of CarPlay on the vehicle's infotainment screen or the CarPlay dashboard button.

Step 4: Press and hold the voice control button on the vehicle's steering wheel. This is an alternate way of activating Siri.

Step 5: Every time you receive a text message, you will receive a notification on the car's infotainment screen.

Step 6: Siri will read aloud the message that you have received.

Step 7: Dictate your reply for Siri to transcribe a message. This is an effective way to receive and send important messages without taking your eyes off the road.

It is advisable for new buyers of cars to choose a model that is compatible with CarPlay as they can drive without worrying about calls, messages or directions. Major car companies like BMW, Bentley, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Renault, etc., have models with Apple CarPlay integrated.

This blog has provided crucial information regarding the function and usage of Apple CarPlay. One can use this specially designed app to receive and send important messages while driving. Procedures for connecting iPhone with Apple CarPlay have been mentioned for the reader's benefit.