Infotainment, CarPlay & Android Auto
How in-car infotainment works, what Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do, wired versus wireless, and whether built-in navigation still matters.
The infotainment system is the central touchscreen that handles audio, phone calls, navigation, vehicle settings and, increasingly, climate control. Almost every new car sold in South Africa now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which mirror a simplified version of your phone onto that screen so you can use your own maps, music and messaging apps through the car's display and voice controls. On many models the connection is wireless; on others it still needs a cable.
For most buyers, phone projection has quietly made built-in navigation and the manufacturer's own media apps less important, because the phone's maps are always current and free. What still matters is how well the screen responds, whether the car keeps physical controls for climate and volume, and how easily the system reconnects each time you get in. These are things a five-minute test drive reveals better than any specification sheet.
Articles on infotainment, carplay & android auto
Infotainment, CarPlay & Android Auto — questions
The questions people ask about infotainment, carplay & android auto, answered plainly.
What is the difference between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
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They do the same job for different phones. Apple CarPlay projects a simplified iPhone interface onto the car's screen; Android Auto does the same for Android phones. Both give you your own navigation, music, podcasts, calls and messages through the car's display, steering-wheel buttons and voice assistant. Most new cars support both, so the phone you own decides which you use.
Do I need built-in navigation if the car has CarPlay or Android Auto?
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For most drivers, no. Phone-based maps are free, always up to date and include live traffic. Built-in navigation still has advantages in areas with no cellular coverage, and it often shows directions in the instrument cluster or head-up display. If you regularly drive remote routes, a car that offers both is ideal; otherwise phone projection covers it.
Is wireless CarPlay or Android Auto better than wired?
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Wireless is more convenient because the phone connects automatically as you get in, but it drains the phone battery faster and can occasionally drop the connection. Wired is more reliable and charges the phone at the same time. Many cars offer both; if a car is wireless-only, check that it also has a wireless charging pad.
Can I add CarPlay or Android Auto to a car that does not have it?
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Some manufacturers offer software updates that enable it on recent models, and aftermarket head units can add it to older cars, though replacing the original screen can affect other vehicle functions and warranty cover. If phone projection matters to you, it is far simpler to choose a new car that includes it as standard, which most now do.
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