You can also use your iPhone in a car without Carplay. The iPhone can be connected via Bluetooth to almost all modern car infotainment systems; experience has shown that this applies even to very simple basic systems. After that, you can at least use the iPhone to make phone calls and play music from the iPhone through the vehicle's speakers.

However, it is always operated via the car's infotainment system, which you must first familiarize yourself with and is sometimes less intuitive to use than a smartphone. With Carplay, on the other hand, you don't have to get used to it: with Carplay, you can instantly find your way around other people's cars and use navigation, entertainment or make calls without wasting any time.

 

Configure Carplay on the iPhone screen

 

Starting in iOS 10, you can view the apps available for Carplay on your iPhone under Settings, General, Carplay, and Carplay on your vehicle. under Settings, General, Carplay on your iPhone. Most importantly, you can remove some apps, such as iBooks and Podcasts (but not phone apps, music, maps, and messaging), from the Carplay screen in the Settings menu on your iPhone.

Other than the overview of configuration options, the iPhone screen is irrelevant when using Carplay. However, the iPhone continues to display the screen and is operable, so the screen does not turn off during use (until iOS 12 Carplay obscures the iPhone screen during use).

 

Carplay development and context

 

Apple introduced Carplay in March 2014, when it was first made available to users as part of the iOS 7 update. Requires iPhone 5 or later. Starting with iOS 10, Carplay also supports a small mini-screen in the cockpit in front of the driver, provided the automaker offers it. For example, turn-by-turn navigation can be displayed there. Also starting with iOS 10, Carplay should display better on widescreen screens. On the other hand, BMW has even integrated the steering arrows of the navigation system running on Carplay into its flat panel displays.

There are currently two interfaces for integrating your smartphone into the infotainment system of a modern car: Apple Carplay for iPhone integration and Android Auto for Android smartphone integration. As for the older Mirrorlink, you can also connect your Android smartphone to the car, no longer relevant.

 

Carplay on the in-car display

 

When activated, the Carplay home screen appears in all vehicles from all manufacturers with the same home screen. So once you've used Carplay, you'll be able to find your way back immediately, even if you change vehicles. The only difference between vehicles is the screen size, depending on how Carplay uses it for multi-screen views.

The first overview page always contains the phone icon, music from iPhone/Apple Music, the Maps app and Messages and the Audiobooks app. There is also an icon to bring up the current music source ("Now Playing"). Automakers and tuning solution makers have also integrated their own icons that return to the Start screen. But third-party applications such as Audible and TuneIn also store their icons here.

The Carplay screen is neat and tidy, with large, clear buttons that are pleasing to the eye. All the buttons are easy to tap with your finger. The Home button in the lower left corner allows you to return to the Start screen from any screen. If you would like to update your car, please contact us today as we have a variety of solutions for you.