Apple CarPlay Quick Facts
- Apple CarPlay lets you use what you love about your iPhone hands-free while driving vehicles in all price ranges.
- Setting up CarPlay is simple, using the phone’s cable or wirelessly on compatible vehicles. It supports third-party apps for navigation, messaging, news, entertainment, and more.
- It’s available in most new cars, but CarPlay can be added to some vehicles without factory installation.
We live our lives in concert with our phones, even in the car. It’s a primal need to stay in touch with our people, work, music, and the news.
That’s why Apple CarPlay for iPhone users has become so popular since its debut in 2014 in the Ferrari FF. Now, 98% of new cars in the United States come with CarPlay installed, according to Apple.
Read our guide on Apple CarPlay to learn how it can simplify your driving life, how to set it up, and more.
- What Is Apple CarPlay?
- What Does Apple CarPlay Do?
- How Do You Set Up Apple CarPlay?
- What Apps Can You Use on Apple CarPlay?
- How Do You Turn Off Apple CarPlay?
- What Cars Have Apple CarPlay?
- Do You Need Apple CarPlay?
What Is Apple CarPlay?
Apple describes CarPlay as a system that “gives you the ability to safely use what you love about your iPhone while you drive.”
It uses either a Lightning cable, a USB-C connection (iPhone 15 and later), or, with many 2022 and later cars, a wireless connection to let your phone interface with your car’s infotainment system.
Almost every new car for sale in America has Apple CarPlay. You can get it on the least expensive car available, the 2025 Nissan Versa, if you choose the SR and SL trim levels (starting at $21,630 with destination charges), and on pickup trucks, cars, and SUVs of all sizes and prices.
Apple unveiled a next-generation version, CarPlay Ultra, which will act like an operating system for vehicles. The iPhone maker’s effort is a step too far for many car companies. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo are among those automakers reportedly not interested in the new generation. So far, the only brand to include CarPlay Ultra is the hyper-luxury Aston Martin brand. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis may follow, including it in some 2026 models.
Android users aren’t out of luck. Android phones work with a similar system called Android Auto, which is covered in a separate article.
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What Does Apple CarPlay Do?
Apple CarPlay allows you to make calls, send text messages using voice commands, listen to text messages (Siri will read them to you), get turn-by-turn directions, control your music, create playlists with passengers in your vehicle, and more, all without touching your phone.
It integrates with your car’s touchscreen and audio controls on the dashboard and steering wheel. It also responds to voice commands.
CarPlay Ultra can control the car’s climate system and display speed and engine performance data. Through Apple’s interface, users can select from several data views and customize the car’s controls.
How Do You Set Up Apple CarPlay?
With a Wired Connection
To set up CarPlay with a wired connection:
- Start your car: Turn on your vehicle to get started.
- Plug it in: Insert your iPhone’s charging cable into your car’s USB port. Your vehicle may have several USB ports; some can only charge a device while others can transfer data. You’ll need a data connection. Look for the port marked with a phone icon or CarPlay icon.
- Get connected: Wait for your car’s infotainment screen to recognize your iPhone.
- Expect prompts: Accept any prompts on the car’s screen asking you to agree to connect your device.
- Connect on your device: Accept any prompts on your iPhone’s screen asking you to agree to connect to the car.
At this point, CarPlay should connect to your iPhonIn the future, it It should automatically start anytime you plug your phone into the ure. You need to repeat the process anytime your car’s battery gets disconnected.
With a Wireless Connection:
To set up CarPlay with a wireless connection (Note: Some cars come equipped for wired CarPlay. Consult your car’s owner’s manual to know for sure).
- Turn on the ignition: Start your car.
- Hold down: Press and keep holding the voice command button on your steering wheel.
- Select settings: On your iPhone, select the Settings app.
- Click: Next, click “General,” then “CarPlay.“
- Check the cars list: Find the list of “Available Cars.” Select yours.
- Test the connection: Once the iPhone says it is connected, test it by activating Siri pressing the voice control button on the steering wheel.
After the initial setup, the car will remember you and automatically pair your IPhone when it detects it. Some vehicles may default to CarPlay when you start the car.
MORE: Car Safety Features 101: Everything You Need To Know
What Apps Can You Use on Apple CarPlay?
Apple is constantly updating the list of apps that work with CarPlay. As of this writing, Apple CarPlay apps include:
- Navigation apps include Apple’s Maps and Google Maps, Waze, TomTom, TMap, 2GIS, KakaoNavi, and Navitime.
- Music apps such as Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, LiveXLive, Tidal, and SiriusXM Radio connect to CarPlay.
- News and entertainment apps like Apple’s own Podcasts and News apps, Audible and other audiobook apps, Downcast, MLB, NPR One, Overcast, and Vox.
- Messenger apps like Line, WhatsApp, and Apple’s own Messages.
- EV charging apps like PlugShare and ChargePoint.
- Food ordering apps like Dunkin’, Panera Bread, and Domino’s Pizza.
- Parking apps like SpotHero.
How Do You Turn off Apple CarPlay?
To turn off CarPlay with a wired connection, simply unplug your phone
With a wireless connection, CarPlay will attempt to connect whenever you start your car. To stop that process, you’ll need to go into your phone’s Settings app, go to “General,” then “CarPlay,” and find your vehicle in the “Available Cars” list. You can then select “Forget This Car” to disconnect CarPlay.
What Cars Have Apple CarPlay?
Nearly every major automaker has included Apple CarPlay as standard or optional equipment on much of its lineup since 2022. Whether you’re shopping for a Mitsubishi Mirage or a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Apple CarPlay is available in your price range.
Apple maintains a running list if you want to look up a particular model when shopping for a used car. If you don’t see the car you’re interested in, keep in mind that manufacturers will likely add CarPlay to the next model year of many vehicles that don’t currently offer it.
Can You Add Apple CarPlay to a Car?
So, what if your car doesn’t have Apple CarPlay? In some cases, you don’t have to buy a new car to get Apple CarPlay. The feature can be added to a small percentage of newer vehicles that don’t have CarPlay built in from the factory. Mazda and Hyundai, for instance, offer a simple download that can add it to most 2014 and newer vehicles for a fee.
But, for most cars, you’ll need to replace your car’s stereo to add CarPlay. Aftermarket car audio shops and electronics retailers can offer you dozens of replacement systems with CarPlay capability for vehicles with and without built-in touchscreens.
Do You Need Apple CarPlay?
You do not need Apple CarPlay or any other entertainment system in your car. Americans were driving vehicles for more than a century without this convenience.
But we do recommend CarPlay or the Google equivalent, Android Auto, for most drivers. Our phones have become so integrated into our lives that it’s difficult to put them down — even when we’re driving. But, for our safety, we need to stop looking at them and touching them when we drive (we know; you know this, but it’s worse than you think. A recent study showed that the average driver could travel the length of three football fields without realizing it while reading a short text).
If you can’t stand not checking your text messages in traffic, CarPlay can help when you ask Siri to read them. This can help all of us feel safer behind the wheel.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.