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New technologies always provide a wide range of opportunities to optimise existing solutions or to develop new ones. According to Forbes, only 2% of the 23 million vehicles on the road can run applications. It is worth noting that it is easier to gain popularity and find your audience in a market that is just emerging. The connected car industry is projected to add another 24 million vehicles. Therefore, if you are not limited to developing apps only for smartphones or smartwatches, you are on the right track.
As we all know, a car is no longer a means of transport; it is more of a lifestyle, a new opportunity, etc. Most vehicles are equipped with onboard computers and a huge display that allows their owners to use navigation options without the need to install an additional device in a car, or they can turn a car into a cinema for all family members while going on vacation by car.
The use of an iPhone and a car in the bundle provides a great user experience and makes the trip safer.
After WWDC 2020, they can say that multiple changes to vehicles are coming with updated CarPlay in ios 14, so we decided to look in detail at what is coming to users with ios 14 and how it will impact their daily commutes and road trips.
Apple takes care of the users and offers CarPlay as a safer way for people to use their iPhone in the car. In the meantime, it has become possible to create apps for EV charging, parking, and quick food ordering. It is about time to enhance your user interface in audio and communication apps, etc.
What is CarPlay?
CarPlay is a framework that provides a system-generated and hosted user interface that you configure to show content from your app. The framework supports control over UI (touch target size, font size, and colour) and allows your app, at the same time, to display custom map tiles, trip and routing information, and so on. Such an approach lets you concentrate on providing a remarkable CarPlay experience without any need to create an app that would work with all CarPlay systems.
Consider that you need to use SiriKit’s Messaging to ensure that reading and sending messages will work correctly if you want to add CarPlay support to your messaging app. For Voip apps, you need to use CallKit with SiriKit’s Voip Calling to ensure the ability to make and answer audio calls on a CarPlay system.
How to build an app with CarPlay?
Apps that will be shown on the car’s built-in display should be optimised for the driving environment and meet the particular demands of the car. It would be perfect if the app supports brief interactions and never distracts the driver. The content on the screen should be minimal, relevant, and easy for decision-making. A driver can control apps with Siri’s help, so there is no need to take their hands off the steering wheel or eyes off the road. Interface elements on ios should provide an intuitive experience.
Before starting app development, you need to obtain a CarPlay app entitlement. To get it you must create a query and provide information about your app, including the CarPlay app category. You must also agree to the CarPlay Entitlement Addendum. Apple will consider your request, and if your app fits the criteria for a CarPlay app, you will get permission to create an app.
Below you find general CarPlay app guidelines that must be strictly followed, but there are special requirements for audio, navigation, and other apps that you need to consider while developing.
Your CarPlay app must first fulfil its primary function (e.g. CarPlay audio apps must provide primarily audio playback services and then additional features, etc.).
Any instructions for users to take their iPhone to do a task are forbidden. In case of an error, the app should recommend a reload or seek technical support after it comes to a standstill.
The user flows must be suitable for use while driving and be possible without iPhone usage.
Gaming or social networking is not allowed.
The content of messages, texts, or emails is not permitted to show on the CarPlay screen.
SiriKit should be used for all voice interaction.
To meet all these requirements is not so difficult, but just imagine how many customers you will get by using new trends.
Development features for CarPlay
If you are looking for a vendor to develop a CarPlay app, just like creating a regular ios app, get official Apple permission first. Getting permission to build your app isn’t everything. All the rules must be executed by the application, and, in the future, it must not be blocked on the App Store due to some inconsistencies.
Developing a CarPlay app has some specific features when compared to building an iPhone app. Let’s take a look at the nuances that are worth paying attention to:
diagonals and extensions (there are many of them, not just a few);
approach to interface development: there should be less information, and more buttons, so that the user is comfortable using it while driving;
the design should consider that not all devices have sensors and should be able to control physical buttons. In other words, CarPlay also works with your car’s controls – knobs, buttons, touchpad, or touchscreen.
It is difficult to estimate in time how long it will take to develop an application from scratch since the number of functions and the complexity of the design directly affect this. However, we always recommend hiring a team of specialists to get a truly effective digital solution for application development. The team usually consists of the following specialists: Business Analyst, UI / UX Designer, ios developer (Swift developer), QA, Project Manager, Backend developer (PHP), if the application needs to have its own backend.
Development tools and resources for CarPlay
When developing apps for Apple CarPlay, developers have access to a range of tools and resources provided by Apple. These include specific guidelines, templates, and frameworks designed to help developers create safe, efficient, and user-friendly apps. The key here is to work within Apple’s ecosystem while ensuring the app enhances the driving experience without distraction.
CarPlay app development guidelines and templates
Apple offers clear guidelines for building CarPlay apps. These guidelines cover everything from user interface design to the types of functionality that are suitable for driving environments. CarPlay provides pre-designed UI templates that simplify app development by giving developers a starting point. These templates help ensure that the app adheres to Apple’s strict usability and safety standards, reducing the risk of driver distraction.
CarPlay UI templates and customisation
CarPlay offers a variety of UI templates that developers can use to create apps suited for the in-car experience. These templates cover key categories such as music, navigation, and messaging, providing a consistent look and feel across all apps. While customisation options are available, they are designed to ensure that the app remains simple and easy to use while driving.
Legal requirements for CarPlay apps
Developing for CarPlay isn’t just about coding; it also involves meeting legal requirements. Apps must be designed to prioritise driver safety, complying with guidelines set by Apple and relevant legal regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the app being rejected from the App Store or CarPlay.
Obtaining CarPlay app entitlement
A CarPlay app entitlement is essential for any app that intends to integrate with the CarPlay system. Without this entitlement, your app will not be able to run on CarPlay-enabled vehicles. The entitlement process ensures that only approved apps with a focus on driver safety are permitted to use the CarPlay interface.
Provisioning profile and entitlements for CarPlay
To develop a CarPlay app, developers need to create a Provisioning Profile that includes the necessary CarPlay app entitlement. This is a crucial step in the development process, as it ensures that your app has the required permissions to be installed and tested on devices with CarPlay support. Without the correct entitlements, the app cannot be accessed or deployed in the CarPlay environment.
CarPlay app lifecycle and scene management
Managing the lifecycle of a CarPlay app involves careful handling of different app states, such as when the app is launched, backgrounded, or terminated. CarPlay uses scene management to help developers control the app’s behaviour in different contexts, ensuring that it operates smoothly and without disruptions during the user’s drive.
Enhancing CarPlay app capabilities
Once your CarPlay app is set up, you can look into enhancing its functionality. Apple provides additional features, such as integration with Siri for voice commands and support for real-time data updates. These features improve user experience by making the app more intuitive and accessible, all while maintaining a hands-free environment for safe driving.
Hands-free control with Siri and CarPlay
One of the core features of CarPlay is its hands-free control system, powered by Siri. Users can control their apps, make calls, send messages, and get directions through voice commands alone. This feature is critical in ensuring that drivers stay focused on the road, reducing the risk of distraction and enhancing the overall safety of the in-car experience.
Navigation and app access via CarPlay interface
CarPlay simplifies navigation by providing direct access to various navigation apps through its interface. Whether it’s using Apple Maps or third-party navigation apps, users can seamlessly interact with their navigation tools while driving. This integration is designed to be quick, intuitive, and safe, with minimal distractions from the driving task.
Debugging and testing CarPlay apps
Testing is a crucial step in the development of any CarPlay app. Developers need to ensure their apps function correctly and safely before they are released to the public. Apple provides tools for debugging and testing apps on CarPlay-enabled devices. This includes testing voice commands, UI elements, and ensuring that the app works seamlessly within the constraints of the CarPlay environment.
So what happens next with cars and mobile devices?
We can assume that car screens will be used to a greater extent as second screens for devices, which, in principle, is already used on wearable devices.
This means that we will have two approaches:
Standard mobile apps that will use infotainment systems as a second screen.
Applications are designed specifically for the car infotainment system.
We can expect to see more powerful System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions shortly, capable of delivering fast 4G data transfers, stunning graphics, enhanced GPS capabilities, and even some advanced features like motion tracking.
Developers who will be working with car apps have a good grasp of infotainment systems. The number of applications that can be considered useful in the car is limited. Aside from the essential apps that will be pre-installed on these systems anyway, there won’t be much room for standard mobile apps configured for infotainment systems. Games, fitness apps, outdoor apps, news readers, social apps – very few of these make sense in the car.
The second approach looks more complicated, but it may prove more profitable in the long run. There is no “killer app” specifically designed to use the multitude of sensors on our phones that integrates seamlessly with infotainment systems. After all, would you rather have a killer app running on 10% of all car systems deployed than a mediocre ios app installed by 0.1% of iPhone users? What if your team comes up with something beneficial and original, and eventually, the major automakers start pre-installing your application on their systems?
What niches should you pay attention to when developing, provided that the standard directions, such as navigation and ringing, are already filled enough:
Traffic safety.
Safety and liability insurance.
Fuel-saving applications.
Health and ergonomics.
Security is definitely a great selling point, so that developers can focus on some aspects not covered by core applications. It all depends on how intelligent the infotainment system is, whether it is open correctly and whether there is room for improvement from the pre-installed standard solutions.
To conclude
New Apple updates are providing great opportunities for many businesses. If you are a car manufacturer, you may implement Apple technology to attract more audiences and get more loyal customers. If you have a restaurant business, then you should consider building an app with integrated CarPlay where ios users can order food in a simple way.
Customers adore getting a new user experience, which is why it is vital to monitor new trends and improve your services and products according to them. As a development company, we keep cutting-edge technology under the radar to provide our customers with high-quality development services.
FAQ
You might do so, but it is better to make a new one that meets all CarPlay legal requirements. CarPlay apps are designed to look and feel like your app on iPhone, but with UI elements that are similar to the built-in CarPlay apps. It must be consistent with particular dimensions. If the application is intended to send and receive messages, you need to use SiriKit’s Messaging. SiriKit should be used for all voice interaction. The user flows must be suitable for use while driving and be possible without iPhone usage. Here are only some of the general requirements; more of which you will find in the article.
CarPlay is a platform that provides a system-generated and hosted user interface that you configure to show content from your app. It supports control over UI (touch target size, font size, and colour) and allows your app, at the same time, to display custom map tiles, trip and routing information, and so on.
Before ios 14, there were only Google Maps and Waze as alternatives to Apple Maps. With a new operating system, the list of apps that can be used is extended. There are several types of applications that are supported by CarPlay: ✅ Audio, ✅ Communication, ✅ EV charging, ✅ Navigation, ✅ Parking, and ✅ Quick food ordering.
Without the CarPlay app entitlement, your app simply won’t run on CarPlay. It’s Apple’s way of controlling access to the platform and ensuring only apps that meet their safety and category requirements make it into the car.
This entitlement is especially important because it signals that your app is built with a driving context in mind—meaning it’s designed to minimize distraction and support hands-free use. If you’re building an app that fits within Apple’s approved CarPlay categories (like audio, navigation, or messaging), this entitlement is a must-have to even start testing or deploying.
CarPlay doesn’t let you design freely from scratch—instead, it provides a set of templates tailored to driving use cases. These templates help ensure a consistent and safe user experience across all apps.
For example, there are the Grid and List templates for content navigation, the Map template for navigation apps, and Information or Now Playing screens for audio apps. Using these templates correctly is key—they not only keep your app compliant with Apple’s guidelines, but also make the development process smoother since they handle much of the UI logic for you.
The CarPlay framework is built with hands-free interaction at its core. It supports voice commands via Siri, allows touch input through the car’s screen, and often works with steering wheel controls. It also limits the kind of interactions you can design—no keyboard popups, no complex gestures, and no distracting elements.
This structure keeps drivers focused on the road while still letting them interact with key app features like playing music, navigating, or receiving messages through simple, voice-driven flows.