How do I use Apple Maps with CarPlay to get where I need to be?
Updated March 2017: Added information about voice search and custom destinations.
Outside of streaming services, I'd be willing to bet the most used CarPlay app is Maps. Whether you're looking for a business to or traveling out of state, it's much easier to be told where to go than navigating from memory or a map.
Most of Maps interface in CarPlay is pretty easy to understand, but there are a few tricky parts. Let's take a look at some of the app's basic functions and how you can use them to get the most out of your experience.
How to use the CarPlay Maps interface
To launch Maps, you need only tap on the Maps icon, then let it find your location. From here, you can zoom in and out on the 2D map; change the terrain to a 3D map; or explore and seek directions.
Heading to an area you aren't really familiar with, or looking for something new to do in an area you've been to a number of times? Tap the Destinations button.
CarPlay offers suggestions based on your location: Each icon on the screen represents a different type of venue, including Parking, Gas, Food, Coffee, and the like; tapping one will populate a list of places close to your current GPS location.
If there are places that you visit frequently and you don't want to have to search for each time, you can mark them as a favorite on your iPhone or iPad for quick and easy access; on your CarPlay system, you can access those favorite locations by tapping on the Heart icon within the Destinations screen to see your list.
How to search for specific locations with Maps and CarPlay
If you are looking for a specific location or type not represented on the Destinations button, you can tap the magnifying lens to search manually for it. This is how, for instance, you can search for EV charging stations in iOS 10.3:
- Tap on the Maps button.
- Tap Destinations.
Select the Search icon in the upper right corner.
- Type or speak the item you're searching for.
Select the result you're looking for.
How to get directions with CarPlay
Whether you're traveling somewhere new or just want to check your route, the Maps app in Apple's CarPlay system can give you directions to wherever you need to go. There are a few ways to get directions: Most of the time you'll likely initiate the process from the touchscreen display in your car, but you can also use Siri or your iPhone to get directions.
How to get directions with the Maps app
- Tap on Maps.
- Select Destinations. Your recent destinations will show up under the Recent icon, but if you want to search for something specific, tap the Search icon in the upper right corner.
Type or say the name of the place you want to go or its address, and CarPlay will offer suggestions.
Select your location to see a screen displaying your route time, ETA, and distance to travel.
TIP: If there are multiple routes available, tap on the Route Options button to pick the best one.
- Once you've chosen your route, tap Start and you'll begin getting directions.
How to get directions with Siri
- Press and hold the CarPlay button on your steering wheel, or press and hold the CarPlay Home button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Tell Siri "Get me directions to [place]" or "Find me [type of place]".
Siri will offer suggestions; pick one to display it on your CarPlay touchscreen.
How to get directions with your iPhone
Sometimes, searching for a place or finding an address may be easier from your iPhone. If you have a passenger in the car or are stopped safely in a parking lot, you can search for the information via the phone's Maps app. (We very much encourage you to not search for things or mess with your phone while driving, however, as that is far from safe.)
Once you've selected a destination on your iPhone, it automatically displays on your car's touchscreen.
Your favorite tips?
Do you have any favorite tips that help make it even easier to get around with CarPlay? If so, be sure to drop them in the comments below so we can benefit from them.
Reader comments
How to get directions and use Apple Maps with CarPlay
Great article. I'm not sure if CarPlay is a little different from car to car, but when I tap on the magnifying glass to search for a destination, Siri is invoked and you tell her what you want. If you'd rather type, you can tap on the keyboard in the upper right hand corner and you can type.
I wouldn't be surprised if it were a little different. I rent a lot of cars for work, and while I can't speak for CarPlay specifically, I have noticed a couple of really minor interface differences like that with Android Auto between car brands.
New to CarPlay but noticed that favorites on my iPhone Apple Maps do not show when using CarPlay? How do I solve that? Or how can I save routes to favorites in CarPlay? iPhone version 9.3.4
While car play is supported on cars in India, surprisingly, the maps app is absent from the dashboard. As a matter of fact, it would be even better if apple allowed access to google maps on car play.
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After six months using Apple Maps and CarPlay in my 2016 that, here are few basic comments.
1. Sometimes turn directions comes minutes late or a quarter to a half a mile past the turn; or I might get instructions to U-turn I'm already going the correct way on an interstate. It's as though the iPhone / CarPlay / GPS sync up isn't correct.
2. The user interface on the touch screen is not very intuitive. For example, how do you get the map and the car that are on the screen pointing towards the top when you are going forward, rather than in the direction of the geographical compass?
3. And, of course, there is the basic Apple Maps incorrect directions issue. Apple Maps give me correct directions less than 50% of the time. For example, yesterday I was told to turn right into oncoming traffic on a long-standing one-way street.
We just bought a new 2017 Subaru Impreza and I LOVE CarPlay! I had my first road trip just last weekend and not only did it get me there without issue, I used the Siri button on my steering wheel and asked where the closest gas station was and Siri got me there.
I do use Maps a lot, but I'm also a heavy Downcast user for podcasts - unlike the Apple Podcasts app, Downcast will keep my place across my devices (Mac, phone, etc) and when I plug it into the car, the CarPlay app just picks up right where I left off!
I use the Music app a lot, too.
I like carplay, but the voice control is abysmal for directions (in the UK at least) . I always end up either typing them in manually or giving up and using the car's own Sat Nav.
I love using CarPlay to dictate my texts or read my texts. I love that I can just tell Siri who to call without touching anything.
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