Essential CarPlay Apps for Enhanced Driving Experience

CarPlay has gone from being a "nice to have" feature for consumers, to something they actively seek out when looking for new vehicles. And that makes sense: If you've got a large infotainment screen in your car, why deal with mounting your phone like the old days? CarPlay (along with Android Auto) basically projects functionality from your phone, similar to adding a second monitor to a PC or laptop. CarPlay apps are designed to be easier to use from your driver's seat, with larger interfaces and clearer menus than the iOS apps they're based on. (Though you should still avoid interacting with them while driving.)

It's worth noting that CarPlay looks and feels different across various cars and manufacturers. Older vehicles typically require a wired connection, whereas newer models can connect wirelessly. (There are a variety of accessories that can also let you bring wireless functionality to wired CarPlay models, like the CarlinKit.) Some car makers restrict CarPlay apps to small windows within their infotainment systems, while others let it take over entire screens. And if you're the lucky owner of something compatible with CarPlay Ultra, which at this point only includes newer Aston Martins, then you'll get an expensive CarPlay view across your driver and infotainment displays.

After using CarPlay for more than five years and testing dozens of apps specifically for this story, I've narrowed down the list of CarPlay apps you really need to use.

If you're a live radio addict, TuneIn remains one of the best ways to listen to news, sports and music stations from around the world. The CarPlay app gives you instant access to TuneIn's vast library, and you can also listen to most of it for free. (You can pay a bit more to get rid of many ads.) While live internet radio has been supplanted by streaming music and podcasts (which TuneIn also supports), you still can't beat the sheer wonder of instantly playing a broadcast from the other side of the planet.

America's EV infrastructure stinks, so it's worth using the PlugShare app to keep track of all the EV chargers around you. The CarPlay app does just that, along with the ability to navigate to bookmarked locations and view planned trips. Its CarPlay view also prioritizes the best locations near you, so you don't have to sift through low-rated charging locations. PlugShare relies on crowdsourced information, and in my experience it does a decent job of letting you know if certain chargers aren't working. (You'll have to use your iPhone if you want to report a broken charger, or leave a comment on a location.)