Apple CarPlay Tips and Secrets: How to Be a CarPlay Pro

Motor Trend

3 days ago

This one's so easy you barely need to think about it. If you drive somewhere with CarPlay connected, Apple Maps and Google Maps will automatically drop a pin where you park your vehicle. Take your iPhone with you (as if you ever leave it) when you hop out and do your thing. When you're ready to return, open Apple Maps and look on the map for the parked car icon, or type "parked car" into the search bar. The map will give you directions on how to get back. Helpfully, this process happens automatically each time you park and disconnect from CarPlay. Take a Screenshot With CarPlay
Just like you can take a screenshot with your iPhone, you can take a screenshot of CarPlay. The keystroke command is the same as taking a screenshot on your iPhone: When connected to CarPlay, press the volume up and lock button simultaneously. That will capture a screenshot of the CarPlay display, and your iPhone's, and save both to your iPhone's photo album.
Why would you want to take a screenshot of CarPlay? You know as well as we do. Maybe you want to remember that tune that came up on your music app. Perhaps it'd preserve some map location you need. Whatever the reason, taking screenshots with CarPlay is quick and easy. Use Siri to Set Map/Location Reminders
Siri becomes more helpful when driving. It can complete numerous tasks for you without ever taking your eyes off the road, like sending a text message or looking up nearby points of interest. One Siri capability that's especially useful while driving is how it can set location-based reminders for you. If in Apple Maps you have locations established for home, work, or other places, Siri can prompt you with a reminder when you arrive or leave at that location. For example, just say "Hey Siri," then "When I get home, remind me to water the plants," or "When I leave work, remind me to call Mom," or some such. Siri will use geofence technology to determine your proximity to that location and prompt you with that reminder. Granted, this isn't a feature specific to CarPlay, but it's one that's especially useful while driving. Use Your iPhone to Unlock Your Car
You're headed out the door. Grab your iPhone, grab your wallet—where the heck did you leave your car keys? It increasingly doesn't matter, as more new cars allow you to unlock and start your vehicle using only your iPhone. Apple fittingly calls this functionality car keys, and it works with many vehicles equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. Once your iPhone has been paired with the vehicle through the settings app, all you need to do to unlock your car is tap your device on the door handle. Inside, set it on the NFC sensor, press your car's engine start button, and you're ready to roll.
The iPhone car keys functionality also lets you share access to your vehicle with others. You can send a text message that will let another person get in and start your car, like if you're letting a friend borrow it. It's also possible to create tailored profiles for those you share access with; for example, you can limit certain vehicle features for teen drivers.
After starting with BMW, Apple says it's working with other automakers to expand this access and improve security so you can get in and drive even when your iPhone remains in your pocket. We think it won't be long before your regular car key is used more as a paperweight while your iPhone is what you'll take to use your vehicle. Track Forward or Backward by 10 Seconds
If you're a Spotify subscriber, press and hold the on-screen track-forward or backward button, and you'll find new functionality you never knew existed. Want to hear the hook of your favorite song again? No problem. Press and hold the track-backward button for a moment and Spotify will skip back about 10 seconds. Use SharePlay: Passengers Can Be the DJ
When you just know you have better musical tastes than the driver, SharePlay is here to help. What that means is that if you're using Apple Music on your road trip, passengers in the second or third row can now play a part in what music is playing. Others can hop on SharePlay by tapping the notification that should automatically appear on their iPhone or by scanning the QR code that appears either on the CarPlay screen or on the screen of another passenger's iPhone. Better choose the next song wisely ... CarPlay Widgets
With CarPlay Widgets, you can keep tabs on important items right from your car's infotainment screen. These widgets can show the weather, calendar appointments, reminders, and even information from connected smart home devices; more widgets will be added in the future. Four widgets can go on display simultaneously, and can be accessed by swiping right from the CarPlay Home Screen. CarPlay Live Actions
On your iPhone, Live Actions are displayed on the home screen to show information on in-progress things such as the score of a sports game, the status of a delivery, or the progress of a flight. In CarPlay associated with iOS 26, Live Actions now also reflect on your car's infotainment screen. Emoji Reactions
Sometimes a simple emoji works better than words to reply to a text message. Just like you can in your iPhone's messaging app, you can now drop an emoji reaction on incoming text messages through CarPlay. Choose the heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, "Ha Ha," exclamation points, or question mark to get your thoughts across without really saying anything. Future CarPlay Features
Apple finally pulled the plug on its long-rumored car project, but that doesn't mean the tech giant is done with CarPlay.
Rather, it's revealed CarPlay Ultra, far more integrated with the vehicle than standard CarPlay. It proves how Apple's tech can reach into the in-car experience, integrating with the gauge cluster, trip odometer, climate control, and more. This indicates how accustomed drivers have become to CarPlay, and some automakers are leaning into that potential; CarPlay Ultra debuted on Aston Martin models and will expand to other brands.
At the same time, however, others consider their own infotainment systems so good that they're getting rid of CarPlay altogether. Are the ever-improving features and capabilities of standard CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra so good that those automakers on the way out will reverse course? Time will tell. Top CarPlay Tips and Secrets: See more with dashboard view
Switch between light and dark mode
Set a colorful background
Take a birds-eye view in Google maps
Get directions on your Apple Watch
Customize your app layout
Never forget where you parked
Take a screenshot of CarPlay
Create a location-based reminder
Unlock and start your car with just your iPhone?!
Track forward or backward by 10 seconds
Use SharePlay: passengers can be the DJ
Stay informed with CarPlay Widgets
Watch progress with Live Actions
Emoji react to text messages