Apple CarPlay allows drivers to access many of their iPhone apps and features while in the car. It is often more intuitive to use than a car-maker’s built-in infotainment operating system, and is available on a wide range of vehicles for sale in Canada.
Read on to find out more about Apple CarPlay, including how it works, its key features, benefits, requirements, and alternatives such as Android Auto.
What is Apple CarPlay?
- Apple CarPlay Explained
- Benefits of Apple CarPlay
- Requirements for Using Apple CarPlay
- Alternatives to Apple CarPlay
- Do All Cars Support Apple CarPlay
- How to Set Up Apple CarPlay
- Car Companies That Use Apple CarPlay
- Apple iPhones Compatible with CarPlay
Apple CarPlay Explained
Apple CarPlay is a system that enables drivers to use their iPhone's native apps and some third-party apps through their car's infotainment screen. It can be connected via a lightning cable and USB port or, if the car supports wireless CarPlay, via Bluetooth and WiFi instead.
Once connected, CarPlay allows control of certain iPhone features via the car’s infotainment system using either the touchscreen, a separate rotary controller (e.g. in certain BMWs and Mazdas), Siri voice commands (just say “hey Siri” to get going), or sometimes by using buttons on the steering wheel.
Available functions include phone calls, text messages, whatsapp messages, music, podcasts, audiobooks, maps, and more. CarPlay apps, meanwhile, include navigation apps such as Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze, plus Spotify and Apple Music for music and podcasts, and Audible for audiobooks.
Benefits of Apple CarPlay
The biggest benefit of Apple CarPlay is that it allows drivers to access many of their iPhone's features while in the car. That might sound obvious but, given peoples’ reliance on smartphones, having a system that allows safer handsfree access to certain functions can only be considered a good thing.
The ‘certain functions’ part of the preceding paragraph is important, too. Because, with safety in mind, CarPlay doesn’t allow free reign of a phone’s features, but selects those optimised for use on the move. And even within apps, not all functions will necessarily be available. For example, Google Maps will let you select a recent destination while on the move, but if you want to type in an address you’ll need to pull over and do so when the car is stationary.
Two other core benefits are that many if not most new cars support CarPlay, and that it is free to access.
Requirements for Using Apple CarPlay
This sounds obvious, but let’s put it out there anyway: in order to use Apple CarPlay, drivers need to have an Apple iPhone. Specifically, an iPhone 5 or later. You’re also going to want the latest version of iOS installed to ensure the best user experience. Oh, and you’ll need a car with an infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay.
Depending on whether that car has wireless CarPlay or not, you might need a USB cable to connect your phone to the infotainment system. And indeed even if the car does have wireless support, unless it also has wireless charging then a lightening cable is still going to be very handy for keeping the battery topped up. Most car manufacturers now integrate Apple CarPlay into their newer models, but drivers should check with the dealership to make sure their car is compatible.
Last but not least, you’ll need a data plan that allows sufficient data usage for the apps you want to access in CarPlay.
Alternatives to Apple CarPlay
If you can’t use CarPlay due to not having an iPhone, there are alternatives available. The most obvious is Android Auto, which offers similar functionality to Apple CarPlay albeit without the Apple apps.
Many new vehicles also have their own inbuilt infotainment systems that can handle phone calls, music streaming and navigation (if specified when the car was ordered). However, as we mentioned, CarPlay’s iPad-like interface is generally easier to use.
If you own an older car it could be worth considering an aftermarket infotainment system as an upgrade to the existing setup. These cost from a couple of hundred dollars, and functionality ranges from basic Bluetooth connectivity all the way through to full Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration. Just be sure to check with the retailer what systems will fit and work in your car.
Do All Cars Support Apple CarPlay?
When CarPlay was premiered in 2014, it was within the sumptuous interior of the Ferrari FF. Thankfully, it’s since been rolled out to more affordable cars. In fact, according to Apple, there are more than 600 models available in Canada that are now compatible with CarPlay.
As such, chances are that if you’re looking to buy a new car today than it’ll include CarPlay compatibility. If shopping for a used car, bear in mind that while many OEMs including Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Lexus and Mercedes have offered CarPlay for several years now, it’s often been reserved for higher spec models. As such, be sure is to check with the dealership selling the vehicle if CarPlay is part of the trim level you’re considering.
How to Set Up Apple CarPlay
Setting up and using Apple CarPlay is a straightforward process.
- Make sure your car's infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay.
- Connect your iPhone to your car's infotainment system using a lightning cable or Bluetooth.
- In many cars, you’ll see a prompt to connect your phone to enable CarPlay. If this doesn’t happen you can use your phone instead. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay to set up CarPlay.
- Select your car from the list of available devices.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
- Once connected, you should be able to access many of your iPhone's features through your car's infotainment system.
Car Companies That Use Apple CarPlay
- Abarth
- Acura
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chery
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Datsun
- Dodge
- Ferrari
- Fiat
- Ford
- Genesis
- GMC
- Holden
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Kia
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Maserati
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- MINI
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Porsche
- RAM
- Rolls-Royce
- Subaru
- Suzuki
- Tata
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Apple iPhones Compatible with CarPlay
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5