CarPlay and Android Auto Features Most Drivers Never Use

Most drivers use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for three things: maps, music and calls. That is a shame, because both systems have grown into capable platforms with features that make driving safer and less stressful. Many of them are switched off by default or hidden in settings menus that nobody opens after the first day.

I spent years in software QA before I started reviewing in-car tech, and I still test these systems the way I used to test releases: by digging through every menu. Here are the features most drivers never use, and a few they should.

Voice assistants that actually work in the car

Both systems have voice assistants, Siri on CarPlay and Google Assistant or Gemini on Android Auto. Most drivers try them once, get a wrong answer and give up. Used properly, they are the safest way to do almost anything while driving.

The trick is phrasing. "Navigate to the nearest charging station" or "read my last message from Sam" works far better than vague requests. You can reply to messages by voice, start a playlist by name, add a reminder or call a contact without touching the screen. Most cars also let you trigger the assistant with a long press on the steering wheel voice button, which is much safer than reaching for the display.

Dashboard and split-screen views

Both systems offer a split view that shows navigation, media and a third widget at once. On CarPlay this is called Dashboard, on Android Auto it is a split-screen layout that is now the default on many screens. Many drivers never notice it, and keep switching between full-screen apps instead.

On wider screens, the split view keeps your next turn, the current song and a calendar reminder visible together, which means fewer glances away from the road. If your car's screen is wide enough, this is worth turning on and adjusting.

Message announcements and do not disturb

CarPlay can announce incoming messages automatically and let you reply by voice. Android Auto offers a similar read-aloud feature. Combined with driving focus modes on the phone, which silence non-urgent notifications and send automatic replies, this cuts down distractions significantly.

Set exceptions for people who must always reach you, such as family or work on-call contacts. Everyone else can wait until you arrive.

EV-specific features

For electric car drivers, recent versions of both systems integrate more closely with the car. Some vehicles share battery level with the maps app, allowing route planning that includes charging stops and arrival charge estimates. Google Maps on Android Auto and Apple Maps on CarPlay can show charger availability for certain networks and filter by connector type.

Check whether your car supports these integrations. If it does, the phone-based maps can become a better route planner than the car's own system. If you are curious how in-car apps borrow design ideas from elsewhere, read how EV apps borrow ideas from online gaming design.

Wireless connection and multiple phones

Many newer cars support wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, so the connection starts automatically when you get in. Owners of older cars can add this with a small adapter that plugs into the USB port. It is surprisingly convenient, though wireless connections use more phone battery and can occasionally drop.

If two drivers share a car, both systems can remember several phones. Setting a priority order avoids the car connecting to the passenger's phone instead of the driver's.

Do the extra features add distraction?

A common view among safety advocates is that every feature added to in-car screens increases distraction, so drivers should use as little as possible. I think that is too simple.

Some features clearly do add distraction, such as scrolling long lists or typing. But many of the features above reduce it: voice replies replace picking up the phone, split views reduce app switching and message announcements remove the urge to glance at a notification. The aim should be fewer glances and less touching, not fewer features. A well-configured CarPlay or Android Auto setup can be safer than a minimal one that tempts you to grab your phone.

Apps and games while parked

Both platforms restrict what can run while the car is moving. Some apps and simple games are allowed only when the car is parked, which is useful while charging. We look at this in more detail in the online games you can play on a parked car screen.

A ten minute setup worth doing

1. Assign the steering wheel voice button to your phone assistant.
2. Enable split view or Dashboard if your screen supports it.
3. Turn on message announcements and a driving focus mode.
4. Rearrange app icons so the ones you use most are on the first page.
5. Check EV route planning integration if your car supports it.
6. Set phone priority if more than one person drives.

CarPlay and Android Auto are far more than a way to see Spotify on a bigger screen. Ten minutes in the settings can make every drive calmer. More in our Infotainment section.