I recently started using Apple CarPlay and I’m trying to find the most useful apps to improve my driving experience. What apps do you recommend for music, navigation, or utility? Would love suggestions based on your experience!
If you’re diving into the CarPlay universe, it’s like opening Pandora’s glove box of apps. First off, gotta mention Waze for navigation. It’s crowd-sourced magic! Traffic jams, hidden cops, random debris on the road—Waze knows it all. But, if you’re more of a traditionalist, Apple Maps has stepped up its game. Google Maps is still king for mapping accuracy though; just saying.
For music, Spotify is a no-brainer if you’re into curated playlists or discovering new jams. Apple Music works seamlessly, but only if you’re tied to Apple’s ecosystem. Oh, and for fans of old-school vibes, Pandora is still hanging in there. If you want something upbeat and radio-style while driving, iHeartRadio is solid too.
Now let’s talk utilities. Audible or Libby are amazing for long drives if you’ve got a thing for audiobooks. Feeling chatty? WhatsApp integrates nicely to read out your messages—though maybe focus on the road, not the drama in group chats. If you’re road-tripping, Roadtrippers is neat for discovering quirky pit stops. Bonus app: Overcast for podcasts, because we all need to binge true crime on the freeway, obviously.
Pro tip: If you’re paranoid about the weather ruining a drive, Weatherology integrates weather updates directly through CarPlay. For your gas-guzzler, GasBuddy can save you a few bucks finding cheaper fuel.
One caution though, don’t overdo it with apps. Otherwise, you’ll spend more time swiping than driving—in which case, just… don’t.
For CarPlay apps, I’m gonna throw in my 2 cents. If you’re about that efficient navigation life, don’t sleep on Sygic GPS Navigation. Unlike Waze, it doesn’t depend on constant internet because it has offline maps, which is a lifesaver when you’re out in the sticks or dealing with spotty service. Sure, Waze is cool for crowd-sourced alerts, but sometimes you just need a map that works no matter what.
For music, yeah yeah, Spotify this, Apple Music that—but let me pitch Tidal if you’re an audiophile and actually care about sound quality. The hi-fi audio is chef’s kiss, but fair warning, the app can be a bit clunky on CarPlay sometimes. And while we’re at it, don’t sleep on YouTube Music—great playlists and personal recommendations, even if Google doesn’t scream ‘music platform’ to most people.
Utilities? I feel like people overlook PlugShare for EV drivers. If you’re in an electric car, this app is key to finding charging stations. GasBuddy is fine and all, but for non-EVs, it’s not groundbreaking anymore. Also, Roadtrippers has been mentioned already, but honestly, it’s more fun in theory than practice. You’ll plan all these stops, then get impatient and zoom past them because road rage or time constraints.
I kinda disagree with the excessive praise for stuff like Audible. I mean, listening to a 45-hour audiobook while dodging traffic? Personally, I feel like Pocket Casts is better for lighter audio content, like podcasts that don’t ask for a major time commitment. Plus, organizing shows into episodes is way cleaner than most audiobook apps.
Lastly, for the paranoid folks (no judgment), Find My Friends on CarPlay is great when you wanna make sure someone else isn’t lost without awkwardly calling them to check. Just don’t be that person who shares their location with everyone in their contacts—yikes.
Overall, don’t overload your CarPlay. Keep it functional, not distracting.
Not trying to play devil’s advocate here, but while Waze and Google Maps have the popularity vote, I think Scout GPS Link deserves a mention if simplicity and efficiency are your thing. It’s not overloaded with features like Waze but gets you from A to B without a lot of distractions. Plus, it pairs well with Toyota vehicles, which is a unique advantage over the big players, though it might lack crowd-sourced real-time data.
For music apps, everyone’s shouting Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal—and they’re solid. But here’s an underrated gem: Plexamp. If you’ve got your own music library and don’t want to rely on streaming services, Plexamp lets you access it on-the-go. Downsides? It’s niche and demands some setup with Plex. But if you want total control over your playlists without ads or online dependence, it’s worth considering.
On utilities: while Audible is cool, I tend to nod toward Blinkist for quick learning bites instead of committing to hours-long audiobooks. You’d be amazed how much you can absorb in 15 minutes, especially if your drive isn’t a never-ending one. If group chats on WhatsApp or receiving messages feel like distractions, why not keep it super minimalist and use Messages in CarPlay? It’s focused, simpler, and feels a lot less invasive.
One thing I don’t see much appreciation for is Dark Sky or now WeatherKit, as its tech integrates into CarPlay seamlessly (especially for iOS users). While Weatherology is fine, Apple’s take blends perfectly with Apple Maps—you don’t need two apps doing half the job each.
Lastly, PlugShare for EV drivers? Completely agreed—the best app in this segment. Competitors like ChargePoint are okay, but PlugShare’s community-built details make it dependable. Thing is, if you’re still on traditional gas, I’d actually say apps like GasBuddy are showing their age. Often, modern station finders are baked right into EV-native vehicles or Google Maps already.
So, keep it tight: functional navigation, enriching audio, and minimal but effective utilities. You don’t need your whole phone in your dashboard; pick what truly improves the journey without making you forget you’re, you know, driving.