Apple CarPlay has become so popular that many people expect it in their new vehicles. The only exceptions are high-tech brands like Tesla or Rivian. CarPlay makes driving more comfortable by allowing you to use your favorite music, charging, and navigation apps without having to deal with the often cumbersome interfaces of automakers. In the future, CarPlay could even replace traditional car indicators and buttons.
Setting up Apple CarPlay
Once you’ve set up your iPhone for CarPlay, the next step is to make sure you have compatible apps installed. Fortunately, there’s not much else you need to do other than customize your experience for maximum convenience while driving.
Default App View
By default, any apps that are compatible with CarPlay will automatically appear on your car's dashboard if they're installed on your iPhone. While this isn't a complete list of supported apps, here's a sampling of some of the more well-known apps available on the App Store, excluding Apple's built-in apps:
– Amazon Music
– Audible
– Bandcamp
– Calmness
– Charging Point
– Demoralized
– Google Maps
– iHeartRadio
– Lining
–NPR One
– Closed
– PlugShare
– SpotHero
– Spotify
– Seamstress
– Tide
– TuneIn Radio
– VLC
– Waze
– WhatsApp
– YouTube Music
Car manufacturers also have their own apps, and these can only be displayed when CarPlay is active and used with their own brand.
Managing Apple CarPlay Apps
Managing your CarPlay apps is essential for a seamless experience. There are some apps you may not want on your home screen, and when you do, they may not appear in the order you want them to. No one wants to scroll through multiple pages just to launch Spotify or Google Maps. Conversely, too many icons can clutter the interface.
Add, Remove, and Rearrange Applications
To add, remove or rearrange apps, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General.
2. Tap CarPlay.
3. Select your car and then tap Customize.
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You’ll see two sections in the Customize menu: Include and More Apps. To remove an app from your CarPlay home screen, tap the red minus icon next to it. To add an app, tap the green plus icon. Drag and drop the three-line icons in the Include section to rearrange the order of apps. Only the first eight or so apps (depending on your car’s display) will appear on the first page of your home screen, so choose wisely.
Automatic Updates and Optimal Layout
Any changes you make in Settings will automatically take effect the next time you connect your iPhone to your car. It may take some experimenting to find the perfect setup, but make sure you do this while your car is in park.
Customizing Your Apple CarPlay Experience
Customizing CarPlay is important to getting the most out of it. Here are some tips to get you started:
Personalize Your Home Screen: You can organize your most-used apps on the first page of your CarPlay home screen. This gives you quick access to them without having to swipe between multiple screens. Place apps like Google Maps, Spotify, and your preferred messaging app on the first page for easy access.
Edit Your Interface: If you find that too many apps are cluttering your home screen, remove the ones you don't use often. This will make it easier to find and use the apps you rely on most while driving.
Use Siri for Hands-Free Control: Remember, you can use Siri to control CarPlay without taking your hands off the steering wheel. Activate Siri by pressing and holding the voice command button on your steering wheel. Ask Siri to play music, get directions, send messages, and more. This helps you focus on driving while using your favorite apps.
Solution
Apple CarPlay significantly improves the driving experience by providing seamless access to essential apps. Setting it up and customizing it to your preferences can make your time on the road more enjoyable and comfortable. Whether you use CarPlay to listen to music, navigate, or stay connected, personalizing the interface helps you get the most out of this powerful tool. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a CarPlay experience that’s tailored to your needs and make every drive more enjoyable and productive.