What is Apple CarPlay and how does it work?

But what is Apple CarPlay, how does it work, why’s it good and why isn’t it so good? Keep reading as heycar explains all. 

If you already own an iPhone, Apple CarPlay could be the single most useful feature you’ll find fitted to a new car – allowing you to use the best apps on your iPhone on your car’s large infotainment screen.

What is Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay brings all the functionality of your iPhone to your car’s big screen.

That means you can use apps like Waze to navigate to your destination. It tends to be more accurate than the built-in nav fitted to your car and it is also connected to the internet – so it can route around congestion and check for parking spaces. It wil usually give you more accurate arrival times and stop you getting held up in motorway tailbacks. 

Want to listen to music? Sweet, CarPlay can also mirror apps like Spotify and iTunes on your car’s infotainment display so it’s easy to scroll through music when you’re driving. 

Using CarPlay in general is very easy because it utilises the same menu layout as your iPhone. It also means you can use Apple’s voice activated Assistant, Siri, so you can choose music, set a nav destination, make calls and send messages or check your calendar without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. This will also ensure you don't get caught out by tougher mobile phone rules (see our guide to the Highway Code).

How does Apple CarPlay work?

Getting Apple CarPlay to work is easy. You either plug your phone into your car – using a USB or USBC socket – or connect wirelessly using Bluetooth. 

The first time you use Apple CarPlay you’ll have to set it up, which takes less than a minute, from then on, it should (in theory) spark into life every time you connect your phone to your car. Usually you’ll see an Apple CarPlay start-up screen on your car's infotainment display or it may just appear as an icon in the menu.  

Does Apple CarPlay use my data plan?

Apple CarPlay does use your data and this is something you’ll want to factor in if you’re renewing your phone contract. How much data you’ll use depends on what you do – nav tends not to be too data intensive, but streaming lots of music at a high sound quality will quickly eat through your data. 

Can I add Apple CarPlay to my older car?

It's an emphatic – yes – to that question. Almost all cars can be upgraded with a double din head unit that includes Apple CarPlay. As well as giving you CarPlay, these newer stereos will usually include modern functions like a digital radio and a Bluetooth phone connection. A good system costs around £300 and most shops that sell them will also fit the unit for you for around £50. As upgrades go, this is arguably one of the easiest ways to modernise an old car. 

What cars are fitted with Apple CarPlay?

All the cars below are fitted with Apple CarPlay – including a number of models which aren’t sold in the UK. The list of cars fitted with Apple CarPlay is always growing so it makes sense to double check the Apple website for new additions. 

Is there a monthly charge for Apple CarPlay? 

There is no monthly charge for Apple CarPlay – not from Apple, anyway. That said, for a brief period BMW charged a subscription for Apple CarPlay, a decision it quickly rowed back – meaning it’s now free to use on any car makes and models that have it fitted.

Do you have to have an iPhone to use Apple CarPlay?

Yes, you do have to have an iPhone (5 or later) to use Apple CarPlay. That said, Android Auto is an identical system that mirrors the display and functions of Android Phones – it works equally well.