Top 5 Underrated Apple CarPlay Features You Need to Discover
Apple CarPlay has transformed our vehicle interactions, creating an effortless way to link our iPhones with our cars. While many users are aware of CarPlay’s fundamental functions—such as navigation and music control—there are several lesser-known capabilities that can greatly improve your driving experience. Indeed, with the latest iOS 18 update, Apple has rolled out several significant enhancements to CarPlay that deserve your attention.
In this piece, we will highlight five underrated Apple CarPlay features that can simplify your life on the go. From improved notifications to personalizing your CarPlay wallpaper, these tips will enable you to maximize your CarPlay usage.
Announce Notifications Support
A highlight from the iOS 18 update is Announce Notifications. This feature enables CarPlay to vocalize your notification summaries as you drive, keeping you engaged without diverting your hands or gaze from the road.
For those using Apple AirPods, this capability is even more refined, allowing notifications to be delivered straight to your earbuds for a genuinely hands-free experience. First introduced in iOS 15, this capability has been upgraded with Apple Intelligence, offering a more coherent and tailored summary of your notifications.
Regardless of whether you’re enjoying music, navigating, or making calls, Announce Notifications guarantees you won’t overlook essential updates while ensuring your safety. It exemplifies Apple’s dedication to blending convenience with safety.
Let Contacts Track Your Journey
With the increasing popularity of location-sharing apps, it’s logical that Apple has woven journey-sharing features into CarPlay. If you’re utilizing Apple Maps or Google Maps, you can allow your contacts to monitor your journey in real time.
When you commence a trip, an option will appear at the bottom of your CarPlay screen, enabling you to share your Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). CarPlay will even propose some contacts for you, simplifying the process of sharing your whereabouts with friends or family.
This feature becomes especially handy when you’re running behind schedule for an event or meeting at a specific location. When used alongside Apple’s Check In feature on your iPhone or Apple Watch, it provides secure, automatic updates regarding your arrival status, reassuring your loved ones.
Set a Driving Focus Mode
Apple’s Focus Mode has revolutionized distraction management since its inception in iOS 15, allowing users to minimize interruptions during critical moments. However, not everyone knows about the option to create a Driving Focus Mode tailored for CarPlay.
To enable it, navigate to Settings > Focus > Driving on your iPhone. Here, you can configure which contacts may message you while driving and even set up a custom iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch face that activates when you connect to CarPlay.
Upon linking your iPhone with CarPlay, the Driving Focus Mode engages automatically, helping you maintain your attention on the road. This feature is perfect for individuals who appreciate a distraction-free drive while still having access to vital contacts and applications.
Collaborate on Music with SharePlay
Apple launched SharePlay to facilitate shared media experiences, and it’s now available within CarPlay as well. With SharePlay, you and your passengers can collaborate on your Apple Music playlist, transforming road trips into a more enjoyable and engaging experience.
Once a song is playing, anyone in the vehicle can tap the SharePlay icon on their iPhone, scan a QR code, and contribute their own tunes to the playlist. Even without an Apple Music subscription, as long as they have the Music app installed, they can take part in creating the playlist.
This is ideal for long journeys, allowing everyone in the car to add to the music selection without repeatedly unlocking their phones. SharePlay is an excellent method for sharing music control, guaranteeing everyone gets a chance to enjoy their favorite songs.
Customize Your CarPlay Wallpaper
Apple CarPlay is not solely about utility—it also embraces personalization. A feature that often goes unnoticed is the option to personalize your CarPlay wallpaper. Apple frequently introduces new wallpaper choices with each iOS update, so there’s always something that matches your vibe or aesthetics.
To alter your wallpaper, simply go to Settings > Wallpaper in CarPlay and select from the available designs. Make sure to peek back after every major software update, as more wallpapers are usually added. This small yet significant detail can enhance your CarPlay experience, making it feel more tailored and visually attractive.
Conclusion
Apple CarPlay brings much more to the table than mere navigation and music control. With features like Announce Notifications, journey tracking, Driving Focus Mode, SharePlay, and the ability to customize your wallpaper, Apple perpetually improves the driving experience by integrating convenience, safety, and personalization. By delving into these frequently overlooked capabilities, you can enhance your time spent on the road, making it more enjoyable and efficient.
Stay informed with every iOS update, as Apple continually introduces new features to CarPlay, ensuring your in-car experience keeps up with cutting-edge technology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How do I enable Announce Notifications in CarPlay?
To enable Announce Notifications in CarPlay, navigate to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications on your iPhone. Make sure the feature is turned on, and you can select which apps are permitted to announce notifications while driving.
Q2: Can I share my location with contacts using CarPlay?
Absolutely! When using Apple Maps or Google Maps in CarPlay, you can share your ETA with contacts directly from the bottom of your display. Apple will automatically suggest several contacts to share your journey with.
Q3: How does Driving Focus Mode function in CarPlay?
Driving Focus Mode is a customizable feature that minimizes distractions whilst driving. Once you configure it in Settings > Focus > Driving on your iPhone, it automatically activates when your phone connects to CarPlay, silencing non-urgent notifications and allowing you to concentrate on the road.
Q4: Can a passenger without an Apple Music subscription utilize SharePlay in CarPlay?
Yes! Even if a passenger doesn’t hold an Apple Music subscription, they can still contribute songs to the playlist as long as they have the Music app installed on their iPhone. They just need to scan the QR code provided when SharePlay is initiated.
Q5: How can I change the wallpaper on CarPlay?
To change your CarPlay wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper within your CarPlay interface. From there, you can select from various available designs. Be sure to look for new options after each iOS software update.
Q6: Will the features of CarPlay improve with future iOS updates?
Definitely, Apple continually enhances CarPlay with every iOS release, adding new features and optimizing existing ones. Keep an eye out for forthcoming updates to ensure you’re fully leveraging what CarPlay has to offer.
By staying informed and investigating these hidden features, you can enrich your driving experience and maximize your CarPlay system.
