Apple CarPlay is an invaluable tool for drivers, taking all the best iPhone apps and features and making them safer to use while driving. Whether you want communication, music, podcasts, or just need to figure out where to go, CarPlay can bring essential apps to the forefront. As long as you know which apps actually work with it.
There are many apps that work with CarPlay, but not all do, and not all apps that are compatible with CarPlay are worth it. So, to save you that hassle, these are the best Apple CarPlay apps that every driver should be using.
Apple applications
Your iPhone already has a bunch of Apple apps installed out of the box, and many of them are available on CarPlay while you’re driving. While you always have the option of using third-party apps, they cover most of the bases and should prove to be valuable tools down the road.
Phone: Probably the one Apple app you’ll use the most with CarPlay is the phone app. Phone calls are the best way to securely communicate with the outside world, as it means you can call anyone (or vice versa) and talk to them without the hassle of texting back and forth.
The Phone CarPlay app has access to your full contact list, favorites, recent calls, voicemail and your keyboard. You can even talk to Siri and ask her to make a call for you, so you can keep your eyes on the road and avoid fiddling with the touchscreen instead of concentrating.
Messages: If phone calls aren’t your style, Messages can help. The Message CarPlay app lets you see all the messages you receive, and tapping on them means Siri will read them all to you — so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road. You can also ask Siri to send messages to your contacts using only the void command.
Apple Music: With more than 100 million songs, curated playlists, original content and access to digital radio stations, Apple Music is a great companion for your car. There’s even Dolby Atmos surround sound support if you’re lucky enough to have a car that supports it. The only thing Apple Music doesn’t have are Podcasts, which are found in the Apple Podcasts app.
Just make sure you have a valid subscription, whether it’s Apple Music or the Apple One package.
Apple Podcasts: If you’re more into podcast hosts than radio DJs, then Apple Podcasts has what you need. You will be able to listen to your favorite series as well as find new ones thanks to personalized recommendations and top charts in almost every category. Apple Music subscribers will also have access to exclusive premium content.
audio books: This is the version of the Apple Books app on your iPhone, but it ditches anything with written words in favor of literature being read to you. Because we all have busy lives, and that backlog of books isn’t getting any smaller, and there’s no better time to make progress than when you’re stuck in your car.
Unfortunately, there are no subscriptions here and you’ll have to buy each individual title.
Apple Maps: It had a rough start, but Apple Maps has evolved into one of the best navigation apps around. Even better, you don’t need a separate user account, and Siri voice controls are enabled by default. Plus, with the addition of offline navigation with iOS 17, you should be able to find where you need to go regardless of what the local cellular signal is like.
music, music
Spotify: The big name in music streaming offers more than 100 million songs, with or without ads — depending on whether you’re willing to pay a subscription fee or not. With personalized recommendations and shareable playlists, it’s one of the better options if you’d rather get your music from someone outside of Apple. Audio books and podcasts are also embedded.
Tides: If you’re more interested in high-fidelity streaming, then you probably know about Tidal. The idea is that subscribers get access to music in a much higher quality than you would have on other platforms, with up to 80 million songs on offer. Tidal also claims to pay better royalties to musicians than its rivals – in case you want to better support your favorite artists.
YouTube Music: If you have YouTube Premium to escape the endless adpocalypse, then you also have YouTube Music Premium. This means you don’t have to subscribe to Apple or Spotify to listen to some songs ad-free during your daily commute. Over 100 million songs are available for uninterrupted listening, offline and while your screen is locked.
VLC: If you don’t like subscriptions, streaming and personalized features, there’s always VLC. It is the perfect application for listening to music and other audio files offline, without paying for constant access. The only downside is that you have to get the files from another source, either copied from a CD or purchased from a non-Apple store.
Navigation
Google Maps: The biggest name in mobile navigation, and for good reason. Google Maps has almost everything you could want while driving. Real-time traffic updates, offline navigation and the ability to search for businesses and locations along your route. It even works with Siri voice commands, although not as elegantly as Apple Maps.
Waze: Waze is a popular choice for navigation thanks to its uniquely aggressive way of getting around. The app may not be as data-rich as Google Maps or Apple Maps, but its popularity stems from the fact that it will do everything it can to keep your ETA as low as physically possible and actively changes your route to avoid as much traffic as possible.
Podcasts and audio books
Audible: Amazon’s audiobook service has a lot going for it, especially if you have a subscription. Not only does that get you 1-2 audiobooks a month (depending on your plan), there’s also a whole host of free podcasts to download and listen to. Premium tier subscribers also get access to a library of free audiobooks with their plan, meaning you shouldn’t run out of content to listen to in the car anytime soon.
Overcast: Overcast is a great platform for those of you who already have a playlist of podcasts you love but want to discover more. The app also features Smart Boost to skip silent spots and a Voice Boost feature for consistent sound throughout each episode; there is nothing more frustrating than having a whispering host and guests interspersed with loud ads.
Google Play Books: If you recently switched to Android, you may still have some audiobooks associated with your Google Account. Fortunately, they are also available on iPhone and CarPlay. Of course, like Apple Books, you’ll be denied access to all print books while driving — which is definitely for the best.
Castro: Designed to make it easy to catch up on your favorite podcasts and new episodes, Castro uses an inbox-style system to deliver new episodes as they arrive. From there, you place the relevant episodes in your queue, and the app will cycle through them until you’ve rearranged them all.
Spotify: Spotify isn’t just about music; the app offers a large selection of podcasts and audiobooks that you can also listen to. Podcasts are free to listen to, but audiobooks require a Premium subscription.
Time
Time on the way: Any weather app can give you a forecast for your destination, but what about the weather you’ll experience along the way? Weather on the Way, as the name suggests, can do that.
Not only will the weather affect road conditions, it can also change the way you drive. If you’re going to be riding through some serious rain or snow, make sure you’re prepared to handle it all. CarPlay support means you can keep track of upcoming weather while you’re driving.
MyRadar weather radar: This is the kind of app better suited to weather geeks with the kind of data you just don’t see in a typical weather app. MyRadar displays high-resolution radar maps of the weather headed your way, so you can see what you need to be prepared for while you’re in your car. It also contains warnings for rain and storms, along with more serious threats such as tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes.
Charging and parking
Plugshare: If you own an electric car, you know that there will come a time when you need to find a charger. PlugShare displays a map of electric vehicle chargers across the United States, offering charging stations from many different charging companies. Not every charger comes with it, but if you’re in a pinch, you can look for a compatible charging station in the center console. It even has a trip planner, just in case your car can’t do it automatically.
SpotHero: Parking can sometimes be a real hassle. But SpotHero is an app that allows you to reserve parking in major cities in advance. Not only does this mean you know there will be a seat available for you when you arrive, but it can work out a little cheaper that way. The list of apps includes parking garages, parking lots and valets across the US, and the fact that it’s compatible with CarPlay means you (or your companion) can find a parking spot mid-journey.