CarPlay for developers

A smarter, safer way to use iPhone in the car, CarPlay lets people get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and play music from their car’s built-in display, all while staying focused on the road.

Creating apps for CarPlay

Use CarPlay templates and tools to enable your apps in the car. Audio apps can deliver music, news, podcasts, and more. Messaging and calling apps that work with SiriKit can be updated to appear in CarPlay. Navigation apps can provide turn-by-turn instructions and detailed maps, and show information in the instrument cluster located directly in front of the driver. Apps in categories like driving tasks, EV charging, fueling, parking, and quick food ordering can help people accomplish important tasks in CarPlay. Apps published by car manufacturers are also supported, so drivers can control even more car features without ever leaving CarPlay.

CarPlay Simulator

Easily replicate a complete CarPlay environment, so you can develop on Mac without leaving your desk. Simply connect your iPhone to your Mac with a cable. This simulator is included in Additional Tools for Xcode.

Download Additional Tools for Xcode

CarPlay Programming Guide

Get the important instructions, guidelines, and templates you need to develop your CarPlay app.

Developing CarPlay systems

Find out how to update your vehicle system to support the latest CarPlay features. Add support for second screens, such as instrument clusters, irregularly shaped displays, and dynamically changing screen sizes. Learn how to support voice activation for Siri. If you’re interested in CarPlay systems, learn more about the MFi Program.

WWDC23 session

Learn how to integrate CarPlay into modern vehicle systems. CarPlay appearance options improve integration with high-resolution displays, regardless of configuration or size. CarPlay-supplied metadata and video streams let people view information on additional displays. Discover how advances in wireless connectivity, audio, and video encoding help prepare your vehicle system for the next generation of CarPlay.

Optimize CarPlay for vehicle systems

Spatial Audio support

CarPlay adds development support for Spatial Audio in iOS 17.2, giving automakers the ability to enable an immersive sound experience in vehicles with multichannel audio capabilities. Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos can also be implemented in compatible vehicles. CarPlay users will also have access to an ever-growing selection of Spatial Audio songs and albums available in Apple Music and third-party apps.

Car keys

With digital car keys, people can unlock and start their car with iPhone or Apple Watch. You can update your vehicle system to support car keys.