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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- CarPlay simplifies using iPhone apps while driving.
- Stay focused on the road, not your phone.
- Most CarPlay apps are simplified versions of their iPhone counterparts.
I enjoy driving—fortunate, given that I reside in the countryside. Whether commuting to work or heading to a secluded trailhead for a brief escape (currently, I’m obsessed with section hiking Hadrian’s Wall), I spend considerable time on the road. In the last year alone, I’ve driven over 25,000 miles. That’s countless hours behind the wheel—and ample opportunity to discover the best apps to make every journey as smooth, efficient, and hassle-free as possible.
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As an iPhone user, I rely on CarPlay (aside from those occasional moments when CarPlay refuses to cooperate, forcing me to dig out an old phone and hope Android Auto works). So, that’s the system I’ll be focusing on here.
If you use Android, you may be in luck—some of the apps I review might also be available in the Google Play Store.
And yes, I know I appear to be sitting on the wrong side of the car. I’m in the UK, where we drive on the left.
My approach to driving
Here’s the reality: driving can shift from calm to intense to downright dangerous in an instant. Because of this, it demands your full attention. That means interacting with apps should be kept to an absolute minimum.
Also: I’ve used Android Auto with Gemini for 2 months now – it’s transformed my drives in 4 ways
I strongly advise pulling over safely before doing anything more than tapping a button or issuing a voice command to Siri.
The apps I rely on
While I have dozens of apps on my iPhone, only a handful offer a CarPlay version—and even fewer prove genuinely useful while driving.
Don’t want a useless app taking up space on your CarPlay display? Removing it is simple: on your iPhone, go to Settings > CarPlay, choose your car, then tap Customize. From there, tap the red circle next to any app to remove it, or drag and drop to rearrange.
Also: Your car collects a lot of data about you – 5 expert tips to restore your driving privacy
Keep in mind that CarPlay doesn’t replicate the full iPhone experience. The interface is simplified, and Siri plays a big role. Apps like Microsoft Teams and Zoom are limited to audio only.
Another factor: you’re using cellular data while moving through a metal vehicle at speeds up to 85 mph, so expect occasional connectivity hiccups—especially when switching between cell towers. Don’t count on flawless performance.
In fact, plan for the opposite.
With those caveats in mind, here’s my curated list of apps, organized by category, along with alternatives for specialized needs.
Navigation
I’m not diving into the Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Apple Maps debate—and don’t even get me started on other solid options like TomTom, MapQuest GPS and Navigation, or InRoute.
My go-to app—Waze.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
They’re all solid. Choosing a favorite is like picking the best cherry pie or burger—everyone has their preference, and opinions rarely change minds.
Also: 4 Android Auto developer settings that make driving so much easier – how to enable them
My suggestion? Stick with what works for you. For me, it’s Waze. I’ve used it for years. While it has its flaws, it’s incredibly reliable—and always have a backup ready in case your primary app glitches (like when Waze recently showed me a blank map, forcing a quick switch to Google Maps).
Need navigation that works offline or off the beaten path? Check out OsmAnd Maps.
OsmAnd Maps excels for offline and off-road navigation.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This isn’t your typical map app—it’s loaded with features absent from standard navigation tools. Beyond offline maps, it includes counters, hill shading, and 3D building support. Designed not just for drivers but also cyclists and hikers, it lets you view, record, import, export, and follow GPX tracks—making it a powerhouse tool. But with great power comes a learning curve, so familiarize yourself with it before hitting the road!
Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I found sooner, because they make every drive easier
Note: a paid subscription is required to use OsmAnd via CarPlay, but for off-road adventures, it’s absolutely worth it.
Weather
Nothing ruins a drive faster than unexpected weather changes. I like monitoring conditions while driving—but I don’t need a full forecast. I just want to know the weather at my current location and what to expect along my route at the time I’ll pass through each area.
Carrot Weather is a robust, full-featured weather application.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I alternate between two different applications.
First, there’s Carrot Weather, an impressive weather application with a highly personalized voice that you can adjust to be funny, business-like, or even include strong language (depending on your preference). You can also choose to pull weather information from multiple data sources. Carrot is my preferred weather application on my iPhone, my Apple Watch, and while using CarPlay.
Weather on the Way is a highly focused, extremely practical application designed to help you monitor upcoming weather conditions.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The second application is Weather on the Way, which, as its name indicates, displays the weather along your chosen route. I usually use this for a quick weather check before starting a trip. It has proven to be very dependable.
Music & Audio Entertainment
Your favorite music application for your iPhone — whether that’s Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, SiriusXM Radio, or Spotify, among many others — is likely the one you will turn to most often while driving.
Here’s my tip: rely on pre-made playlists and radio stations, since scrolling through screens to hunt for particular songs while driving isn’t safe or practical.
Also: Google Maps vs. Waze: After testing both top navigation apps, one clearly stands out
Don’t want to act as both driver and DJ? Apple Music includes a feature known as SharePlay, which allows other iPhone passengers in the vehicle to take over the music selection. It’s an incredibly useful function that everyone can enjoy.
But there’s more to entertainment than just music to listen to. Podcasts and audiobooks are great alternatives. I’m not a huge podcast listener, but the built-in Podcasts app works fine for me, although plenty of people prefer Pocket Casts, Overcast or Downcast.
I’ve invested hundreds of hours listening to my massive Audible audiobook collection.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
When it comes to audiobooks, I’ve had an Audible membership since long before CarPlay and the iPhone were around, so nothing could pry that app away from me. However, some solid alternatives include Kobo Books and Google Play Books.
Also: Google Maps vs. Apple Maps: A comparison of two leading navigation apps – and my recommendation
If you’d rather listen to your own audio files, BookPlayer is an excellent tool for organizing and playing them. Meanwhile, Libby, the library app lets you borrow digital audiobooks from your local library at no cost using your library card.
Fuel & EV Charging
I usually rely on Waze or Google Maps to locate nearby gas stations, since I don’t want the hassle of managing yet another separate app.
Also: 10 Google Maps settings I always adjust to make it far more user-friendly – and you should too
But if you want to dig deeper into fuel prices and related details, GasBuddy offers crowdsourced price data, and ChargePoint is a great option if you own an electric vehicle.
Parking
Once again, Waze works well for me when it comes to finding a convenient parking spot at my destination.
Also: Master your navigation: 41 hidden Google Maps features you should know about
But if you’d prefer a dedicated parking app, consider EasyPark (which specializes in everyday street parking and also supports EV charging) or SpotHero (which focuses on reserving spots in commercial parking garages ahead of time).
Other Apps
There are a handful of additional apps I use occasionally while traveling.
- Telegram: For secure messaging and communication.
- WhatsApp: For spontaneous voice calls and text conversations.
- ChatGPT: I use this while driving to get a quick summary of topics I’m thinking about.
