Paul Morris on August 18, 2017, 9:42 pm

How To Use Apple AirPods With CarPlay

Here’s how you can use your Apple AirPods in your car equipped with an Apple CarPlay in-dash navigation system.

As more and more vehicle manufacturers push out new cars with CarPlay functionality embedded, more and more device owners will start to make use of the platform. That’s just common sense. Third-party companies producing affordable aftermarket CarPlay head units will also increase that usage.

For those that may have been wondering if Apple AirPods work inside cars with CarPlay, we’re here to tell you that they do, and we’re going to show you how. If you are wondering why would you want to use AirPods with CarPlay? Well, there could be a number of reasons for that, one which is more likely is when you want to listen to music privately without having to disturb other passengers in the car, or maybe you want to have a private phone call through CarPlay without wanting others in the same car to hear it? With that out of the way, here’s how to go about using AirPods with CarPlay:

Step 1: If you are used to working with your iPhone and CarPlay then the first part of this process is very simple. You will need to connect that iPhone to your CarPlay integration through the usual methods.

Step 2: As mentioned earlier, the primary use case for AirPods and CarPlay is presumably to be able to listen to any type of audio-based media or make a phone call, so, with that in mind, start playing the music or media of your choice via CarPlay connected to your iPhone with AirPods paired.

Step 3: Take the Apple AirPods and start using them as you normally would. Obviously, they need to already be connected to your iPhone. Place them into your ear and they should automatically connect.

And that is really all that you need to do. The previously playing music should now be routed through the AirPods and into your ear. This will then enable you to control the content from your CarPlay-enabled vehicle’s display, but with the added benefit of having the audio routed to the AirPods.

One important thing to note here is that using AirPods (or any headphones for that matter) in this fashion while driving may not be legal in all countries. You may want to check with your local laws to see if this is something which is legally allowed. Also, we’ll recommend wearing one of the AirPods units in ear instead of both and keeping other one empty in order to clearly hear other vehicles and surroundings while driving. Remember, safety while driving should always come first!