How to Add Google Maps to CarPlay
It’s generally simple to install and add new apps to CarPlay. Here’s what you need to do.
Install Google Maps to your iPhone via the App Store. Connect your iPhone to your car’s CarPlay system. Open CarPlay on your car’s infotainment dash and Google Maps should now be available as an icon. On rare occasions, Google Maps needs to be manually added. From your phone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay. Tap your car’s name, then tap the + next to Google Maps on the list to add it.
How to Use Google Maps on CarPlay
Google Maps on CarPlay works a lot like regular Google Maps, but there are some key differences. Here’s an overview of the main parts of the app.
Map Screen
Upon first opening Google Maps, you’re able to see where you’re currently located. Tap the E in the top left corner and you can enter a destination or access other settings. You can also pinch to zoom in or out to look at different areas of the map.
Satellite View
Google Maps offers a satellite view feature that Apple Maps lacks. You can see the road and area you’re driving around from above, which can be useful in certain situations.
Add Destination Screen
Tap Add Destination and you can look up gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, coffee shops, or search for a specific destination. It’s also possible to look through your recent Google Maps searches.
Download Offline Maps
If you know you’re traveling somewhere that has a spotty signal, you can choose to download maps to view offline via the Google Maps iOS app.
Settings Screen
Here, you can change whether Google Maps informs you of traffic issues in your area, change the color scheme, choose to avoid freeways via route settings, as well as change the volume of the instructions.
What Can’t Google Maps Do?
Google Maps is a useful alternative to Apple Maps, but there are some limitations to what it’s capable of doing. Here are some key features it currently lacks:
You can’t set it as a default app: It’s not possible to set Google Maps as the default navigation app, so if you ask Siri (which only supports Apple-based apps) for directions, it will still automatically open Apple Maps. There’s no Google Street View: Google Street View is one of the most useful additions to the browser version of Google Maps, but you can’t use it via CarPlay.
