How to install Apple CarPlay
Have you just discovered that your car is compatible with CarPlay? Have you purchased a new iPhone and would like to use it via the display of your car? Would you like to make calls, send text messages and play music while driving with simple voice commands? Quiet, you are going to find all the answers you are looking for. With today’s guide, in fact, I’ll explain How to install Apple CarPlay and how to best use it on your car.
CarPlay is the software developed by Apple and designed to use the main functions of the phone even when you are driving, in total safety and in compliance with the highway code. With Apple CarPlay you have a copilot that allows you to make phone calls, send text messages, choose music to listen to and get directions, without ever taking your hands off the wheel.
Did I intrigue you and can not wait to learn more? Very well, then we do not waste any more time in chatter and let’s get to work immediately. Take another five minutes of free time, read the next paragraphs carefully and you will find all the necessary information to configure CarPlay on your car. I can assure you that it is easier to do than to say and that in a few minutes you will be able to get behind the wheel and use the main apps of your phone. Enjoy the reading!
How to install Apple CarPlay – Compatible car and iPhone models
How to install Apple CarPlay
Carplay is the Apple system designed for using iPhone while you are at the wheel in total safety. To use it, it must be installed as standard on your vehicle: there are currently over 200 CarPlay compatible car models, but Apple ensures that all major car manufacturers are integrating the system into their models.
At the time of writing, the car manufacturers that have vehicles with Carplay are: Abarth, Acura, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chery, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Cowin Auto, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Haima, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lifan, Mazda, Mercedes, MG, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, RAM, Renault, Roewe, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Vauxhall, Wolkswagen and Volvo. For the list of models and the complete list, which is constantly updated, you can consult the Apple website.
If your car is one of those that do not support CarPlay, you should know that you can consider installing an audio system compatible with Apple software. In fact, you can have CarPlay on your car even by installing a compatible stereo system, like those of Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, Pioneer and Sony.
In order to use CarPlay, not only must you own a car model or a stereo system among those mentioned above, but you must also have a compatible iPhone. Fortunately, the circle of “iPhone” that support CarPlay is less restricted than that of car models and almost all iPhones are compatible with Apple’s software.
To be able to configure your iPhone with a car that supports CarPlay, you must have one of the following models (with iOS updated to version 7.1 or later).
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone 5, 5s and 5c;
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone SE;
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone 6 and 6 Plus;
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone 6s and 6s Plus;
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone 7 and 7 Plus;
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone 8 and 8 Plus;
- How to install Apple CarPlay – iPhone X.
How to install Apple CarPlay – How to install and configure CarPlay
How to install Apple CarPlay
To use CarPlay in your car, no installation is required. The software, in fact, is already present in the car and the configuration with your iPhone is via USB cable or wireless connection (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi), without having to install any additional application.
To configure CarPlay, the first step required is to activate Siri. Then take your iPhone, presses on the gear wheel icon to access the Settings of iOS, tap on the voice Siri and make sure that the voice assistant of Apple is activated, otherwise move the lever next to the Siri option from OFF to ON and presses on the Enable Siri item.
Now, go to your CarPlay compatible car and connect your iPhone to the car’s USB socket using the original Apple (or certified) Lightning cable. If your vehicle supports CarPlay via a wireless connection, make sure the car’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections are active, then take your iPhone and press the gear wheel icon to access the iOS Settings, then tap General, press on the CarPlay option and tap the Activate Bluetooth button. To complete the connection, press and hold the voice control button on the steering wheel of the car, while on your iPhone select the vehicle under the heading Available cars and follow the configuration wizard.
By connecting your iPhone to the car via cable, the CarPlay boot is automatic in most car models. If not, start the system manually by pressing on its icon in the on-board system menu. For example, if you have a Peugeot car, press the Menu button, press the Connected Services item and tap the Apple CarPlay option.
How to install Apple CarPlay – How to use CarPlay
How to install Apple CarPlay
To use CarPlay, you need an active Internet connection. The system, in fact, is mainly based on the use of Siri and on the voice commands that the driver “orders” to CarPlay.
When you connect your iPhone to the car, the car display will show the Home screen where the 7 standard apps are displayed: Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, In Play, Audiobooks and Podcasts. Added to these are the apps installed on the iPhone that are compatible with CarPlay, such as Spotify, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Audible, VOX, NPR One, Clammr, Downcast, Overcast, Audible, Stitcher, Audiobooks.com and At Bat. , in addition to the applications of car manufacturers.
Unlike what happens with Android Auto, with CarPlay the phone connected to the car is also functional during the use of the driving system and the actions carried out through the iPhone display are also reproduced on the car display. This means that if you need to use an app that is not compatible with CarPlay while you are in your car, you can do it without leaving CarPlay (but if you are driving, it is an improper and highly risky practice!).
Another useful function is the ability to change the order of the app displayed on the car display. To do so, presses the gear wheel icon on the home screen of your iPhone to access the Settings of iOS, press on the item General, presses on the CarPlay option and tap on the associated car. Now, move the icons of the available apps and place them in any order you like, while you can press the – button to remove an app from the list and not display it. Pigia instead on the item Initialize to restore all the app previously removed and restore the default positioning.
How to install Apple CarPlay
To use CarPlay, you can interact directly via the car’s touch display, use the rotary knob and, above all, via voice commands by long pressing the appropriate button on the steering wheel of the car and activating Siri. Alternatively, just like with iPhone, you can call Siri simply with the voice command “Hey Siri” which will start the classic dark screen with the writing How can I help you ?.
Now, just give a voice command to Siri that will answer you with the results or perform the requested operation. Let’s take some practical examples immediately
How to install Apple CarPlay
Want to get directions using the Maps app? Say Hey Siri followed by voice command Give me directions to [place], or even Take me home and Find a gas station. If you want to start playing music, just call Siri and say a voice command between Play [song], Play [artist], play [genre], let me listen to my playlist, or even skip this song and play other similar tracks.
With voice commands you can even manage calls and messages without taking the phone in your hand. Say the commands Hey Siri and Call [name] or Call [number], or even Call back the last number and What messages are there on the answering machine?, While to send and read the SMS you can say the commands Write a message to [name] and Read my text messages.
Finally, you should know that with Siri you can access other applications that are not shown in the car display such as Calendar, Reminder, Clock. For example, you can set the alarm, know what your next meeting will be or write down a note with the voice command Hey Siri followed by What’s my next meeting? o Set the alarm for [day] at [time]. Did you see? Using CarPlay is really a breeze!
How to install Apple CarPlay