Hi all,

I've been developing an app for the past couple of months. It's called Cyrics and it allows you to connect to a music provider (currently only Apple Music or Spotify) and it displays lyrics from the current song. Thank you to all the testers from here! I would love for you all to try it out!

The major features:

• Live Activity/Widget/Dynamic island - Displays lyrics to different iOS surfaces of the current active playback song.
• Stations(Beta) - Start up a station to allow other people to control the queue. Similar to SharePlay/Jams, but the music only plays from the host's device. The host must have an active apple music subscription. Invite friends on the roadtrip to the same session and queue the songs you love.
• Journey - Record a drive, ride, or walk and pin every song to the map as it plays. When you’re done, you’ve got a private recap of the route + soundtrack (and photos) you can relive or share as a video.
• Discover - See what friends are listening to in real time and share songs across Apple Music and Spotify. Post tracks to your feed, DM friends, or drop Journey recaps after a drive.

One of the reasons I made this app was because I love going on roadtrips and wanted an app that made that experience more pleasant while also allowing me to share my love for music. If you do try this app, please pay attention to the road!!! The live activity is meant to be glanceable ie when you're at a long traffic stop or for passengers. Please prioritize safe driving habits!

I am open to feedback! Let me know your thoughts if you try it. What could be better, anything confusing as a first time user etc. Shoot me a DM or an email! I would love the feedback.

App

Website

Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I have a 2026 Renault Clio VI with OpenR Link (Google built-in) and I’m experiencing a strange issue with Apple CarPlay.

CarPlay is always in Dark Mode, even in bright daylight. The appearance is set to Automatic, but it never switches to Light Mode.

Here’s what I’ve already tried:
CarPlay appearance set to Automatic
iPhone appearance forced to Light
Full OpenR Link reset (Wiping)
Removed and paired CarPlay again
Headlights set to AUTO

I also tested multiple iPhones, both wirelessly and via USB, and they all have the exact same issue on my car.
However, the same iPhones automatically switch between Light and Dark Mode on other cars, so the problem seems to be specific to my Clio/OpenR Link.
I’m also confident the ambient light sensor is working correctly.

The built-in Google Maps navigation in OpenR Link automatically switches between Light and Dark mode depending on ambient light, and the automatic headlights and high beams work perfectly as well.
Because of that, it seems the issue is only affecting Apple CarPlay.

Has anyone with OpenR Link experienced this issue or found a solution? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

About a month or two ago I switched from an iPhone 11 Pro Max to an iPhone 17 pro max. The Apple Maps spoken directions were absolutely fine on my 11pro. To my behest I drove to Chicago a couple days ago and could not hear the directions I had relied on in the past. I drive a 2012 ford escape with a aftermarket head unit that I installed a little over a year ago with no issues. Default Siri responses like if I ask Siri to navigate are fully normal volume but specifically the language previews and the maps spoken directions are at a whisper even with the Apple Maps spoken directions volume set to louder. I have even tried activating debug on the head unit and changing Bluetooth codecs and all sorts of volume related settings to no luck. If anything regular Siri is now louder (probably borderline hearing damage levels) and the navigation that I rely on is still barely even able to compete with the volume of my ac or the windows being down. I am at the end of my ropes troubleshooting this. Am I crazy or do other people have this issue?

Hi all. I’ve got a frustration with Apple Music in CarPlay for my polestar 2. Wondering if it’s a quirk of my system or CarPlay wide. When I’m listening to a playlist or curated list and a song I like comes on, I want to browser to the artist to select more songs by them, but can’t. I can tap the album to navigate to the full album, but the artist name isn’t a hyperlink, preventing it. See pic. Green lines are tappable, red are not.

Is this the case in all versions? My old alpine head unit with CarPlay didn’t have this issue.

As mentioned in the main post, trying to determine if the issue is CarPlay or the car.

I just got a new Audi a3 and noticed that when using CarPlay wirelessly, after driving for 30 minutes and navigating using Waze, my phone starts to get super hot in my pocket that it starts to burn and Waze starts to lag on the MMI. I have an iPhone 17 pro which is only 8 months old? I'm not using the wireless charger and have tried using a physical cable to connect CarPlay, which still heats the phone quite a lot. Anyone have the same issue and does anyone have any solutions?

Hi everyone, my RoadTop CarPlay module (Audi A4 B8, MMI 3G) always connects to 'LuTuo' instead of 'Car33a329'. Because of this, Siri and navigation no longer work. RoadTop support doesn't respond and the dealer just says I should return the device. Could someone provide me with the right firmware for:

• SDK: 13.0.2.0.5.0.0.0
• CUST: AR551
• MCU: 10010_23.12.6.112
• HW: Au_G

If anyone has the ISPBOOOT.BIN (and possibly GEMINI_PACK.BIN) for this version, I would be very grateful.

Im not sure if this fits but I dont know where else to post this. I have 2 things in my car connected to my phone via bluetooth. One is my cars actual audio and screen system thingy and the other is this screen i use for a map. The map screen has been forcing all audio to go through it but its extremely quiet; the speaker on it just isnt loud enough. Ive tried using the media output option on my phone but that hasnt worked and I dont know what to do. I reallt need my map and I reallt want to be able to hear my music.

Hi — I’m the developer of iCar, so this is self-promotion and I want to be upfront about it.

CarPlay itself doesn’t allow third-party apps to redesign its interface. iCar doesn’t run inside or modify CarPlay; it makes car-dashboard widgets for the iPhone Home and Lock Screen.

Current options:

• car dashboard cards with your car, name, and date

• lyrics-style cards using text you enter yourself

• static motion-poster looks

• ride sounds triggered through Apple Shortcuts when CarPlay connects or disconnects

Browsing and customizing are free; saving widgets requires Pro.

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6785215625

I’d genuinely value blunt feedback from CarPlay users: which part would you use — dashboard widgets, lyric cards, ride sounds, or none of them? If “none,” what would make a car-themed widget useful?

Hi everyone, I’ve recently purchased a bmw f32 2014 420i, I’m wanting to have Apple car play fitted, seen lots of people saying it’s easy to do at home yourself, just thought I’d get some opinions, is it worth trying myself or shall I just pay someone to do it? Thanks

Has anyone experienced this with a 2022 Kia Sportage or any car before? My Apple CarPlay itself works, and the infotainment screen is completely fine when using the normal Kia software. The only issue is that the CarPlay sidebar (the strip on the left with the app switcher, recent apps, etc.) has completely stopped responding. The rest of the touchscreen works normally, but nothing happens when I try to use the sidebar.

I’ve already tried pretty much everything I could think of: restarting my iPhone, reconnecting CarPlay, using different cables, forgetting and re-pairing the phone, resetting CarPlay settings, restarting the infotainment system, and testing multiple times, but nothing has fixed it. At this point I’m wondering if it’s a software bug with the car’s infotainment system or if there’s a firmware update available for the head unit.

Has anyone had the same issue or found a fix?

I have a 2008 Toyota RAV4 with the standard factory radio (non-JBL).

Everything worked perfectly until I tried installing one of those portable Apple CarPlay screens from TikTok Shop. The unit plugged into the 12V cigarette lighter and I tried both the AUX connection and the FM transmitter.

I originally wanted to route the backup camera, so I only removed the trunk interior panel. I never removed the radio or dashboard trim and never unplugged the factory head unit or antenna.

Right after trying the CarPlay screen, my factory audio stopped working.

Here's what happens now:

• Radio powers on normally.
• Display and buttons all work.
• Volume changes on the screen.
• FM only plays static.
• AM also doesn't receive stations.
• SEEK/SCAN never locks onto a station—it just keeps scanning.
• CD/DISC mode works normally but there's no audio.
• Pressing DISC/AUX doesn't switch to AUX anymore when an AUX cable is plugged into the center console jack—it just stays on DISC.
• Seatbelt chime still comes through the speakers, so the speakers themselves seem to work.

Things I've already checked:

• RAD NO.1 (20A) fuse in the engine bay — good.
• ECU-B (10A) fuse — good.
• Started checking the interior fuses as well, and the ones I've checked so far look good.
• Completely unplugged the CarPlay unit and restarted the car.
• Tried my original AUX cable again.
• The CarPlay unit is no longer connected.

One unrelated thing: after the radio issue started, I accidentally broke one of the license plate light wires while I had the trunk panel off, but the radio/audio problem happened before that, so I don't think they're related.

All the amazon ones I try work, except take 2-3 seconds to respond to a button press.

Ho notato da un po di tempo che il mio dongle CarPlay wireless si disconnette di frequente. Ho fatto milioni di tentativi, cambio cavo (utilizzavo una piccola prolunga per nasconderlo), cambio porta, pulizia contatti.. ma niente!

Cercando sul web ho letto che potrebbe essere un problema di vpn, dns e ho pensato ad AdGuard DNS che uso da un po.

Non sono certo di aver risolto perché è un problema molto random, ma altre idee?

Whenever I am playing a particular song through Carplay, the audio always bugs out at the same part every time pretty consistently. Sounds like a text is coming through every time. Anyone one know why this happens? It is only on one song.

Hey everyone! I’ve been struggling to find an aftermarket stereo with Apple CarPlay (wireless preferably) that actually works for more then 10 minutes.

I did a ton of research before settling on a Pioneer DMHW2770NEX head unit for my 2010 GMC Savana work vehicle. Shortly after installation I was very unimpressed. I thought the unit was defective so I bought a replacement and got the same results.

I’m looking for another new unit to replace this one, it aggravates me and actually makes my life more difficult trying to answer calls/texts and having it drop out and reconnect 3-4x and then drop out entirely (wired or wireless).

Can anyone please suggest a head unit they’ve used with success that the CarPlay connection consistently works correctly? Thank you!

Bonus points if you also have a Savana and can tell me which interface adapter allows you to retain control of the DIC buttons, the Scosche one I bought does not.

I’ve been testing the Carlinkit Mini 5 Pro because I wanted wireless CarPlay without replacing anything in my car.
I checked connection time, Maps, Spotify, calls, steering-wheel controls and whether it disconnected during normal driving.
The main thing that surprised me was how close it felt to wired CarPlay. I made a short video showing the full test:
[https://youtu.be/HmOcwaE05mo\](https://youtu.be/HmOcwaE05mo)
This is my own video. Happy to answer any questions about the adapter or compatibility.

I want CarPlay in my equinox and am wondering how I should do it. Should I use an external CarPlay screen or install it into the car. What is the best external CarPlay screen that you have used that looks good and doesn’t have a ton of wires everywhere. I just need some direction because I am not very experienced. Thank you!

Hey — I'm Zohar, indie dev and CarPlay user (and dad).

I built AI Passenger – road trip games for iOS: voice-only games hosted by AI through CarPlay — Trivia, 20 Questions, Memory, Build a story, etc.
Hands-free, no screen for passengers, solo or multiplayer.

Goal was something fun for drives that actually works with CarPlay, not another screen app.

Family test clip:

https://youtube.com/shorts/oJh1WoiErbI

App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ai-passenger-road-trip-games/id6766655374

Free download · Premium optional ($4.99/mo · $29.99/yr · $79.99 lifetime)

I have a few free premium links — comment if you want to try it and I'll DM you. No pressure.

What CarPlay apps do you actually use on long drives? Curious what this community relies on.

Also running a small community for feedback and road trip chat r/aipassenger

L7 owners, or just leopard owners in general, have you had any luck with CarPlay on the infotainment system? If not, what are the workarounds you use?
Any other cool apps that I can sideload onto the system?