Apple CarPlay Basics: How Does It Work?

Does your in-vehicle infotainment system have all the features you ever wanted? Have you ever wished that you could change the song without having to take your hands off the wheel? Or maybe you’ve been stuck in traffic and needed to map out an alternate route but didn’t want to take your eyes off the road.

Well, Apple CarPlay is here to help! In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the basics of CarPlay that you need to know. Whether you’re an Apple novice or an experienced user, there’s something for everyone. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!

What is Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay is an infotainment system app that allows you to wirelessly control your iPhone using your car’s information and entertainment system. You can use CarPlay to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, listen to music, get directions, and more. It’s like having your iPhone in your car’s infotainment system.

It does not replace your car’s inbuilt media system, but instead, it gives you the option to use the existing apps in your iPhone through the car’s media display.

How Does CarPlay Work?

CarPlay uses a wired through a lightning cable or wireless connection via Bluetooth® to pair your iPhone with your car. Once the link is complete, you will be able to use CarPlay-compatible apps through your vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen, knobs, buttons, or voice commands. It is like a simplified version of your iPhone on your vehicle’s display.

To get started with CarPlay, you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 14 or later. You’ll also need a car that supports CarPlay. If you want to check which vehicles are CarPlay compatible, you can visit Apple’s website.

What Can You Do With CarPlay?

CarPlay allows you to use many of the apps already existing on your iPhone in your vehicle’s infotainment. It is a wonderful way to complement and, in some instances, upgrade your vehicle’s infotainment features without additional investment.

For example, if your inbuilt infotainment system does not have a GPS or the existing GPS is inaccurate, you can use the Maps app through CarPlay to get accurate directions.

Some supported apps include Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks, Maps, third-party audio and video apps like Pandora and Spotify, and even Google Maps. Be sure to check the app’s compatibility you want to use with CarPlay.

If your infotainment has a touchscreen, you can use it to access all the available apps. You can also use Siri to control CarPlay. For example, you can use Siri to make phone calls, play music, get directions, etc. To use CarPlay through Siri, ensure that you have enabled it in your iPhone’s settings.

I Can’t See Apple CarPlay On My Vehicle. What Do I Do?

If you have a new car, the chances are that it already has Apple CarPlay installed. In the case of an older vehicle, you can check with the manufacturer to see if there’s an update for your in-vehicle infotainment system. You might also be able to install a third-party information and entertainment system that supports CarPlay.

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Walton, serving Gulf Breeze, FL, offers many services like buying and selling new and pre-owned vehicles, maintenance and servicing, parts, etc.

Reach out to us with your questions. We will be happy to help!