Apple Carplay – the ultimate co-pilot
1 augusti, 2020
Do you have Apple Carplay in your car? Congratulations, then you can use your phone's functions directly on the dashboard. We at Kvdbil have taken a look at how it works.
A lot has happened in the way we listen to media in the car. From just having a few radio stations to tune in to, via cassette tape players and CDs, you can now listen to thousands of different songs, podcasts and audiobooks that you have saved on your iPhone.
In this article, we will tell you more about what Apple Carplay is and how to use it.
What is Apple CarPlay?
Apple Carplay is a program that connects your iPhone to your car and allows you to use your phone in a safer – and smarter – way. With Apple Carplay, you can talk on the phone, listen to music, go online, get directions and much more without taking your hands off the wheel.
Many of the biggest car brands support Apple Carplay and there are hundreds of car models to choose from today. Some of the car manufacturers that have built Apple Carplay support into their cars are VW, Ford, Audi, Mercedes, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Fiat, Mazda and Nissan.
How to know if your car supports Apple Carpay
If your car supports Apple Carplay, there should be controls. This could be buttons on the steering wheel, a trackpad, or a touchscreen. Your car's manual will have instructions on how it works in your particular car.
Carplay uses Siri to communicate with your apps, so you don't even have to touch your phone or touchscreen.
CarPlay for iPhone
To use Carplay for iPhone, you first need to set up the application. Start the car and activate Siri. Then there are different ways to connect your iPhone to the car.
If the car only supports connection via USB Connect your phone to the car's USB port. There may be a Carplay symbol on the port. The cable you use to connect should be a Lightning to USB cable.
Some cars support connection both via cable and wirelessThe first time you should connect via cable, but after that you can connect to Carplay wirelessly.
A third option is that the car only supports wireless connection. In that case, hold down the car's voice command button. The stereo should be in wireless or Bluetooth mode. You also need to have Wifi enabled on your phone. Finally, in the Carplay network, check that "connect automatically" is selected. Then go to Settings > General and select your car.
Using Siri with Apple Carplay
The easiest way to control Apple Carplay is to use Siri. This way, you don’t have to take your eyes off the steering wheel and look for buttons and controls. You launch Siri, either by simply saying “Hey Siri,” or by using a button on the touchscreen or your car’s voice command button. Learn where those buttons are so you don’t have to turn your head and look away from the road.
Now you can talk to Siri and ask “her” to perform various commands. For example, get directions with Google Maps, have her read out messages or play a song. Siri can also make suggestions on what you can do next.
Wireless Apple Carplay
The most common way to connect to Carplay is probably via a cable, but car stereos that support wireless use are becoming more common. It's the easiest and safest way to use Carplay, as you can completely put your phone away when you get behind the wheel.
There are adapters that can turn your car stereo into a wireless one. These can be easily plugged into the stereo's USB port and then activate both the car's and your phone's Carplay.
What can you do with Apple Carplay?
You can't use all the apps on your phone with Carplay, nor can you use all the apps you download yourself. Here are some of the categories of apps that Apple allows:
Maps and directions
Audiobooks, music and podcasts
Messages
Voice calls
Calendar
Car manufacturer's apps for car functions
Starting with iOS 14:
Parking
Charging for electric cars
Order takeaway food.
These are just a few examples of what you can do, but probably the ones you will find most useful. Over time, more and more apps from third-party developers will certainly become available, but for now the selection is relatively limited.
