Key Takeaways
- Typically, iPhone apps you download will automatically appear in CarPlay if they’re compatible.
- To add, remove, or reorder apps,
Settings -> General -> CarPlay -> [car name] -> Customization
. - If you don’t have the app on your iPhone, you’ll need to download it from the App Store.
At this point, Apple CarPlay is so ubiquitous that some people might be upset if they buy a vehicle that doesn’t have it, unless it’s a Tesla or Rivian. CarPlay significantly improves the convenience of driving, giving you access to your favorite music, charging, and navigation apps without being hindered by a half-baked automaker interface. Eventually, the software should be able to replace the gauges and buttons in your car.
Once you’ve set up your iPhone for CarPlay, the next step is to make sure you have compatible apps installed. The good news here is that in most cases, you don’t have to do (almost) anything other than customizing your experience for maximum convenience while you’re driving.
Related
Next-gen CarPlay: What does Apple have planned?
The next generation of Apple CarPlay is coming, but it will be a while before Honda’s dashboard looks like a Rivian’s or a Tesla’s.
How to Install Apps on Apple CarPlay
By default, apps that are compatible with CarPlay will automatically appear on your dashboard if they’re installed on your iPhone. There’s no comprehensive support list, but here are some examples of well-known titles from the App Store, excluding Apple’s apps (which are built into iOS):
- Amazon Music
- audible
- Bandcamp
- Calm
- Charge Point
- Depressed
- Google Maps
- iHeartRadio
- line
- NPR One
- cloudy
- Plug Share
- Spot Hero
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- Tides
- Tune in Radio
- VLC
- Waz
- YouTube Music
Car manufacturers also have their own apps, and some of these apps may only be visible if CarPlay is active and in use with that particular brand.
How to add, remove, and rearrange apps on your CarPlay home screen
The real trick with the CarPlay app is managing your apps. You might not want some of them on your home screen, and even if they do, they won’t always be where you want them to be. No one wants to swipe through two or three pages just to launch Spotify or Google Maps. Conversely, if you have too many icons, you might want to tidy up the interface.
To add, remove, or reorder apps, follow these steps:
- open setting Launch the app on your iPhone, general.
- Tap CarPlay.
- Select your car Customization.
- The customization menu is divided into sections for Included Apps and Other Apps. Red minus icon Tap to remove the app from the CarPlay home screen. Green Plus Icon Add one.
- To change the order of your apps, Three lines icon In the Include section, only the first eight or so apps (depending on your dashboard view) will be displayed on the first page of your home screen, so choose wisely.
Any changes you make in Settings will take effect automatically the next time you connect your iPhone to your car. It might take a bit of experimentation to find the ideal layout, but don’t start tweaking it until you’ve parked your car.
