Apple CarPlay has paved the way in which for a safer and extra linked iOS expertise, albeit one which’s tailored to navigate metropolis streets and cruise down the freeway. The favored infotainment software program launched all the way in which again in 2014, and over time, Apple has enhanced the vehicle-friendly UI quite a few occasions. Most not too long ago, iOS 26 introduced completely new options to Apple CarPlay, comparable to the brand new Liquid Glass design, the flexibility so as to add widgets to your CarPlay display screen, ship Tapbacks in Messages, and extra.
However that is simply scratching the floor of Apple CarPlay: Below the hood, there are every kind of tucked-away settings and capabilities to boost and optimize your subsequent CarPlay drive, and a few of these options have been round for fairly a while. With just some extra faucets and web page scrolls, you may be properly in your means to a extra personalised CarPlay dashboard.
To that finish, we have put collectively this roundup of 5 of the very best hidden options each Apple CarPlay consumer ought to find out about. Whether or not you are the sort of driver who relishes a streamlined interface with minimal distractions or somebody who desires entry to each widget and additional display screen beneath the solar, our record has ideas and tips for each CarPlay consumer. As soon as you already know the place to look, you may understand Apple CarPlay is extra versatile and interactive than most iOS customers understand.
Always remember the place you parked with Apple and Google Maps
Nothing is worse than perambulating up and down metropolis streets in quest of your parked automobile that you would have sworn was simply two blocks down the 7-11 on Blink Avenue. This is a matter solely compounded by time of day, because it’s tougher to see who or what’s coming across the nook at night time.
However do you know that CarPlay is normally maintaining tabs on the place you parked your automobile? So long as your iPhone is linked to CarPlay once you’re on the way in which to a vacation spot, each Apple Maps and Google Maps will mechanically place a pin at your parked automobile’s location. It is a bit of godsend that does not get sufficient fanfare, and you do not even need to do something to activate this Maps function (apart from connecting your iPhone to CarPlay).
If you exit your automobile, be sure to take your iPhone with you. After gallivanting, merely open your Maps app of selection in iOS, and discover the parked automobile icon; you can even sort “parked automobile” to hurry up the search. You will then be handled to a set of step-by-step instructions on easy methods to get again to your automobile. Each a timesaver and a safeguard, this CarPlay function is particularly handy once you’re touring to lands unknown.
See a number of apps directly with Dashboard View
CarPlay places the deal with no matter app you are utilizing, and does so by means of a full-screen view. Whether or not you are operating Apple Maps, Spotify, or indulging in a podcast by way of Overcast, by default, CarPlay will all the time permit the app you are utilizing to take up your complete consumer interface. Whereas this helps to maintain the deal with one exercise at a time (apart from, you already know, driving), there are occasions when it might be helpful to have a extra tiled setup that showcases a number of apps on the similar time.
Luckily, there’s, and it is a function referred to as Dashboard View. With Dashboard enabled, you’ll see all of your important CarPlay apps on the similar time. Apple was clever when designing this function, too, as Dashboard presents consolidated variations of many CarPlay apps, making it simpler to view all these additional screens directly.
To allow Dashboard View, all you must do is faucet the square-and-rectangles icon on the bottom-left nook of the CarPlay interface; you can even swipe to the proper when you’re on the app choice display screen. CarPlay ought to now change over to Dashboard View. To get a full-screen view of any app, simply faucet it, and the UI will develop. You may as well press the Dashboard icon once more to return to the standard CarPlay format. Contemplating the Dashboard View icon is current on CarPlay’s primary display screen, it is laborious to name this a “hidden” function. Nonetheless, it is an effective way to personalize your drive that does not get talked about sufficient.
Open up your music queue with SharePlay
Blasting your favourite playlists as you are hovering down the interstate (do thoughts your velocity) is an unbelievable feeling, however have you ever ever stopped to ask your self in case your pal within the passenger seat is getting uninterested in your EDM preferences? It is one factor to listen to a slew of lure beats on a 20-minute carpool drive to work, however one other scenario solely when you’re on a multi-day drive throughout the nation. So, to make music time a bit extra honest, you need to use the SharePlay function constructed into the Apple Music app.
SharePlay permits your passengers to contribute tunes to your Apple Music queue by means of a easy QR code that pops up in your CarPlay interface. As soon as family and friends scan the code, you may be prompted to allow them to be a part of a SharePlay session, at which level they’re going to be linked to your Apple Music SharePlay queue, and might begin including tracks.
To make use of SharePlay, every contributing passenger might want to have the Apple Music app put in on their iPhone or Android gadget. Each iPhone and Android customers can even must have an energetic Apple Music subscription to make use of SharePlay, even when it is only a trial model of the software program. Here is hoping this community-driven Apple Music function introduces some jovial camaraderie to all of your future CarPlay excursions.
Take a screenshot of your CarPlay interface
If you happen to’ve been utilizing an iPhone or iPad for some time, you may know simply how handy it’s to have the ability to take a screenshot. If you achieve this, no matter apps, photographs, and UI parts are in your Apple gadget’s display screen present up within the image that is mechanically saved to your pictures. Fortunately, the screenshot function may also be used to seize CarPlay screens. Now you may by no means have to fret about forgetting addresses you have put into Apple Maps.
Whether or not you are linked to CarPlay wired or wirelessly, taking a CarPlay screenshot requires you to make use of your iPhone. In reality, it is precisely the identical technique for taking an iPhone screenshot when disconnected from CarPlay: Merely press the amount up and lock buttons on the similar time. iOS will then seize two screenshots — one in all your iPhone display screen, and one other of your CarPlay display screen. Each pictures will then be saved individually to your gadget.
Gone are the times of forgetting an necessary handle, tune title, or humorous little bit of dialogue from a textual content. You possibly can even change over to CarPlay’s Dashboard View to view a number of apps and widgets in your screenshots directly.
Put Siri in command of geofencing reminders
It is laborious to steadiness a complete day’s to-do record in your mind, which is why it is so handy that Siri is right here to assist. Siri is particularly useful once you’re driving and linked to CarPlay, as a result of the assistant can verify the containers on a number of duties, whereas permitting you to deal with driving. And due to Siri’s geofencing capabilities, you may even be capable to arrange reminders that solely ping once you’re closing in on a selected vacation spot.
Technically, this geofencing function is obtainable outdoors of CarPlay, too. Apple Maps means that you can set areas for locations you arrive and go away from frequently, comparable to residence or work. If you happen to’ve arrange these areas in your iPhone, you’ll inform Siri to remind you once you attain your vacation spot, or once you disembark from it. All you must do is say one thing like, “Hey Siri, once I go away work, remind me to select up groceries.”
You must also be capable to use this function for saved addresses in your Contacts app (“Hey Siri, remind me to get gasoline once I go away [contact name’s] home”), or for particular areas (e.g., eating places, film theaters, comfort shops, and so on.) you say out loud to the assistant.
To ensure that this function to work, you may must have Location Companies enabled in iOS, which is so simple as opening Settings and tapping Privateness & Safety > Location Companies. Simply toggle Location Companies on, and you will be good to go.
