The basic way to add an app to CarPlay

Most apps appear in CarPlay automatically once you install them on your iPhone. You do not need to do anything extra — when you plug your phone into your car or connect it wirelessly, the app shows up in your CarPlay home screen if the developer built it to work with CarPlay.

If an app you want is not showing up, the most common reason is that the developer has not made a CarPlay version yet. Not every app supports CarPlay. You can check whether an app works with CarPlay by opening the App Store on your iPhone, finding the app, and scrolling down to the "Information" section. Look for "Requires watchOS" or "Requires CarPlay" — if it says the app works with CarPlay, it will appear once you install it.

If the app is already installed and still is not showing up, try disconnecting your phone from CarPlay and reconnecting it. Sometimes the connection needs to refresh before a newly installed app appears.

Key Takeaways

  • Apps that support CarPlay appear automatically on your CarPlay home screen once you install them on your iPhone — you do not configure them separately.
  • Not every app has a CarPlay version, so check the App Store listing to see whether the developer built one before you expect to see it in your car.
  • If an app is installed but not showing up, disconnect and reconnect your phone to CarPlay to refresh the connection.
  • You can customize which apps appear on your CarPlay home screen by holding down on the app icon and selecting "Remove from CarPlay" or by using the CarPlay settings on your iPhone.
  • Some apps like Maps, Music, and Phone are built into CarPlay and cannot be removed, but most third-party apps can be hidden if you do not use them.

How to customize which apps show on your CarPlay screen

Once an app is installed and appears in CarPlay, you can choose whether to keep it visible on your home screen. If your CarPlay display is crowded, you can hide apps you do not use often.

To remove an app from your CarPlay home screen, press and hold the app icon while your phone is connected to CarPlay. A menu will appear with the option "Remove from CarPlay." Tap it. The app stays installed on your iPhone — it just stops showing in your car.

You can also manage CarPlay apps from your iPhone settings without being in the car. Open Settings, go to General, then CarPlay, then select your car. You will see a list of all apps that support CarPlay. Tap the red minus sign next to any app to remove it from your CarPlay display, or tap the three horizontal lines to reorder them.

Why some apps do not appear in CarPlay

CarPlay is designed for safety, so Apple limits which types of apps can work with it. Apps that require a lot of interaction, show video, or need you to look at the screen for long periods are not allowed. This is why you cannot use social media apps, email clients, or web browsers in CarPlay — they are too distracting while you drive.

Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze do work with CarPlay because they are designed to show directions with minimal interaction. Music apps, podcast apps, messaging apps that read texts aloud, and phone apps all work because they fit the safety rules.

If you want to use an app that does not have CarPlay support, you can still use it on your iPhone while your phone is connected to your car's audio system through Bluetooth. You just will not see it on the CarPlay display.

Installing apps that are not in the App Store

All CarPlay-compatible apps come from the App Store. You cannot sideload an app onto your iPhone and have it appear in CarPlay. If an app is not available in the App Store, it cannot be used with CarPlay, even if you install it another way.

This is a security measure Apple uses to make sure every app in CarPlay has been reviewed and meets safety standards. If you find an app you want that is not in the App Store, your only option is to contact the developer and ask them to submit it.

Wireless CarPlay setup and app availability

If your car supports wireless CarPlay, apps work the same way as they do with a wired connection. Once you pair your iPhone with your car over Bluetooth and WiFi, any app that supports CarPlay will appear on your display automatically.

The first time you set up wireless CarPlay, you may need to plug in your phone with a cable to complete the pairing. After that, your phone will connect wirelessly each time you get in the car, and all your CarPlay apps will be available.

If an app is not showing up on wireless CarPlay, make sure your phone is connected to your car's WiFi network. You can check this in Settings under WiFi — your car's network should show as connected. If it is not, reconnect to it and try again.

What to do if an app crashes or stops working in CarPlay

If an app works in CarPlay but crashes or freezes when you try to use it, the first step is to force-close it. On your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones) to open the app switcher, find the app, and swipe up to close it. Then try opening it again in CarPlay.

If the app still does not work, try restarting your iPhone. Hold down the power button until you see the power-off slider, slide to turn off, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once your phone restarts, reconnect to CarPlay and try the app again.

If the problem continues, the app itself may have a bug. Check the App Store to see if there is an update available. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down to "Available Updates," and look for the app. If an update is available, tap "Update" next to it. Developers often fix CarPlay bugs in updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add apps to CarPlay that are not in the App Store?

No. All CarPlay apps must come from the App Store. Apple reviews every app that works with CarPlay to make sure it meets safety standards for driving. If an app is not available in the App Store, it cannot be used with CarPlay.

Do I need to pay for an app twice if I want it on both my iPhone and CarPlay?

No. When you buy an app from the App Store, you own it for both your iPhone and CarPlay. You only pay once. If the app supports CarPlay, it automatically works in your car at no extra cost.

What happens to my CarPlay apps if I get a new car?

Your apps stay on your iPhone. When you pair your new car with your iPhone, all the same apps will appear in CarPlay automatically. You do not need to reinstall anything — just connect your phone to the new car the same way you did with your old one.

Why does my app show on my iPhone but not in CarPlay?

The developer has not built a CarPlay version of that app. Check the App Store listing — scroll to the Information section and look for "Requires CarPlay." If it is not listed there, the app does not support CarPlay. You can still use it on your iPhone while your phone is connected to your car.

Can I use the same app on multiple phones in one car?

Yes, but only one phone can be connected to CarPlay at a time. If two people try to connect their iPhones to the same car, the car will ask which phone to use. The other phone will disconnect from CarPlay, though it can still play audio through Bluetooth.