In today’s fast-paced world, automotive technology is advancing at a rate of knots. One technology that seems to have come out of nowhere is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Also known as smartphone mirroring, the technology allows you to sync your smartphone up to your car's infotainment system, allowing real-time navigation, hands-free phone access, and jamming to your favourite tunes.
Equipped with pretty much every luxury car and most affordable cars, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are technologies that can help improve your driving experience.
In this blog, we'll discuss what Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, how to set them up, and tips for making the most of them.
We discuss:
Apple CarPlay is a smartphone mirroring technology that allows you to use your iPhone through your car’s infotainment system.
Once connected, your iPhone display is mirrored onto your infotainment screen, meaning you remain connected while on the move.
With it being illegal in the UK to be on your phone while driving, Apple CarPlay eliminates the stress of being behind the wheel and not having access to your device.
If a call is coming through or you’ve received an important text message, you can access it through the hands-free controls (or even voice control). Clever, right?
- Navigation - By connecting your phone to your car, your directions appear on your infotainment display. With Apple CarPlay, this can be done through Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze.
- Music - You can stream your favourite artists from your phone and through your car speakers. You can also control the music through buttons on your steering wheel (most of the time), so if a song comes on you don't like, you don't have to move that much.
- Calls and Messages - Make calls and send texts without taking your hands off the wheel.
- Siri - You can use Siri voice commands to control your phone.
Setting up Apple CarPlay is relatively easy. You can simply connect it via a wireless Bluetooth connection or a USB cable.
If doing it through a Bluetooth connection, you’ll need to enable pairing mode through your car’s infotainment system and ensure your Apple device’s Bluetooth is turned on. Then, go to the settings on your Apple device, go to ‘General’, and then ‘CarPlay’.
Once here, select your car, and you should connect to your car’s infotainment system.
If you’re connecting through a USB cable, just plug the cable into your car and then the other end into your Apple device. From here, a message will appear on your infotainment display if you want to start Apple CarPlay. Simply press yes!
Most new cars will come equipped with some smartphone connectivity; however, it’s worth checking the exact specifications to see if they come specifically with Apple CarPlay.
For example, entry-level models might not have Apple CarPlay as standard, and if you want it, you might have to pay extra or bump up to a higher trim.
Here are some popular models that feature Apple CarPlay:
Android Auto is essentially Google’s answer to Apple CarPlay. It allows you to link up your Android phone to your car and use some of your phone’s features through the infotainment screen.
You can access a range of apps on your Android phone that make your driving easier, including navigation, audio, and messaging, all using Google Assistant.
The Android Auto app is free to download on your phone from the Google Play store.
- Navigation - Your directions are projected through your infotainment system. You can use technology like Google Maps.
- Music - You can hook up your device and listen to your own music through Spotify.
- Calls and Messages - You can make hands-free calls and send messages with Google Assistant.
- Google Assistant - Use voice commands to manage your phone and get information while on the go.
You can connect to Android Auto either through a USB connection or through wireless Android Auto.
If using a USB, plug the cable into a port on your infotainment system and the other end into your phone. This might prompt you to download the app or download the latest version. Once done, follow the instructions on your phone, and you’ll be ready to go.
If using wireless Android Auto, you will need a USB for the initial setup. Follow the same steps above; however, once you disconnect your phone, it will automatically remember it for the next time. Meaning you don’t have to keep plugging in over and over again.
Like Apple CarPlay, loads of cars come equipped with Android Auto. Although the technology used to be limited to luxury cars, it is now commonplace for manufacturers to include it in their whole range of cars.
You’ll find it on cars such as:
Using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offers numerous advantages to drivers, including:
- Safety - By allowing voice commands and hands-free controls, it minimises distractions so your hands can stay on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
- Navigation - Enjoy real-time traffic updates and directions from trusted apps. Also, by showing directions on a larger infotainment screen, it ensures you don’t mis-read directions.
- Entertainment - Easily access your favourite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks without having to mess around with your phone.
- Communication - Send and receive calls or messages hands-free, a crucial feature for busy professionals who need to stay connected.
Thanks to technological advancements, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard in most cars, but it sometimes depends on the manufacturer and model.
On luxury vehicles, I’d expect smartphone mirroring to come as standard. However, on entry-level models, it’s worth checking the specification to ensure it’s features.
If not, you might have to upgrade to a higher trim or add it on as an additional extra, which may prove expensive.
Choosing between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ultimately comes down to what smartphone you use. If you have an iPhone, you’ll go for CarPlay. If you have an Android, you’ll go for Android Auto.
It’s worth noting that most cars usually come equipped with both technologies, ensuring that smartphone mirroring is possible for whatever phone you have.
Here’s a quick comparison:
- Apple CarPlay - Known for its clean and intuitive interface, CarPlay seamlessly integrates your phone and car. You can also use both Siri and Apple Maps while connected, which is a big plus for some.
- Android Auto - Android Auto is known for its customisation settings and integration with Google services. Because of this, it’s much more open to third-party apps than CarPlay.
Smartphone connectivity is revolutionising the way we interact with our cars. It makes it much easier to communicate with others while behind the wheel and is also hands-free, meaning you remain on the right side of the law.
So, whether you're team Apple or Android, ensure you follow the steps above for a stress-free driving experience.
Looking for more motoring content? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produces various blogs on a range of topics, such as The Latest In-Car Entertainment Technology and The Impact of Privacy Concerns on Connected Car Technology.
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For more information, check out our latest leasing deals or call us on 0345 811 9595.
