¿How to play audiobooks with CarPlay on your iPhone? If you've ever wanted to listen to your favorite audiobooks while driving If you have a compatible iPhone, you're in luck: Apple CarPlay lets you enjoy a convenient, safe, and easy experience accessing your audiobooks directly on your car's screen. This feature has become one of the most sought-after for those looking to make the most of their journeys, whether on long trips or on the daily commute.
However, although it may seem simple, there are various factors and configurations to take into account To make sure everything works correctly, from checking the compatibility of your car and device to knowing how to manage controls, different types of connections, or even how to use third-party apps. In this article, we'll explain Everything you need to know to play audiobooks with CarPlay on your iPhone in the most detailed and clear way, and with some tricks that will make your life easier behind the wheel.
What is Apple CarPlay and what is it used for?
Apple CarPlay is a solution designed for Integrate the main functions of your iPhone into your car's screen. Thus, you can access calls, messages, music, maps and even audiobooks, all without taking your eyes off the road. Its key features include:
- Interface optimized for driving, with large buttons, clear text and easy navigation.
- Possibility of using integrated vehicle controls such as steering wheel controls, touch screens or rotating panels.
- Built-in Siri voice assistant for hands-free app control and helpful suggestions.
- Audio App Compatibility, such as Podcasts, Music, the Books app, and other third-party apps like Audible or Nextory.
This means that, beyond music, You can access and control your audiobooks simply by connecting your iPhone, either via USB cable or wirelessly, depending on your car.
Prerequisites: What do you need to play audiobooks with CarPlay?
Before you get started, make sure you meet the following requirements, as this is often where the most common mistakes come from:
- Un car compatible with Apple CarPlayNot all cars allow this, so check your vehicle's manual or consult the manufacturer.
- Un Updated iPhone (iOS 13 or higher is recommended for full functionality, although CarPlay is available in earlier versions.)
- Activate Siri on your iPhone, since many functions are managed through voice commands and you will need this option for comfortable use.
- El downloaded audiobook on your iPhone, either from the Books, Audible, or other compatible app, to avoid relying on a cellular data connection while driving.
How to connect your iPhone to CarPlay to listen to audiobooks
The first essential step is to connect your iPhone to your car's CarPlay system. To do this:
- Start the car and check that the multimedia equipment is turned on in CarPlay or Bluetooth mode, depending on the type of connection your vehicle offers.
- If your car is compatible with Wired CarPlay, connect your iPhone to the USB port (usually identified by the CarPlay logo or a phone). You can also check How to use other apps with CarPlay on your iPhone to expand the possibilities of compatible apps.
- If your car is compatible with Wireless CarPlayPress and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel or set the device to Bluetooth/Wi-Fi mode. Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your iPhone, select your car's network, and follow the on-screen prompts to authorize the connection.
- When everything is properly connected, the CarPlay interface will appear automatically on your car's screen. If not, look for the "CarPlay" option in the multimedia menu.
For more advanced settings, you can go to Settings > General > CarPlay on your iPhone. From here, you can customize the apps that appear on the CarPlay screen, the order, and add or remove the ones you are not going to use.
If you have more questions, we leave you this complete article about How to connect Apple CarPlay to your iPhone step by step.
Select and play your audiobooks on CarPlay
The key is to know How to access your audiobooks from your car screen after connecting the device:
- Open the Books app from the CarPlay screen. You'll see the audiobooks in your Library. Tap the one you want to listen to and it will start playing automatically.
- If you use third party apps like Audible, Nextory, or Kobo, follow the same process: find the app in the CarPlay panel, open it, and select your audiobook.
- In all cases, you can use the car controls (steering wheel, touch controls, etc.) to pause, fast forward, rewind or change audiobooks.
Advanced controls and features for audiobook playback in CarPlay
One of CarPlay's strong points is the ease of use of its controls. From here you can:
- Pause or resume playback by touching the corresponding button on the screen or using the steering wheel control if your car allows it.
- forward or backward by chapters or skip a few seconds using the arrows integrated into the interface or the physical buttons on the car.
- Adjust volume with the traditional car remote control or from the CarPlay touch screen itself.
- Change the narration speedIn the Books app, you can tap the 'x1' button (bottom left corner) and choose whether you want to go faster or slower. Holding it down will return you to normal speed.
- Set a sleep timer to automatically pause the audiobook, ideal for long journeys or for those who listen to audiobooks before bed.
- Select specific chapters from the audiobook index.
- Switch to mini player by swiping down or tapping the top of the screen, allowing you to keep playing while using other CarPlay features.
- And close the player if you wish. by holding down the mini player and selecting the close option.
These features are very useful to adjust the experience to your liking and, above all, so that Don't lose track of your favorite story while staying focused on the road..
Using Siri to control your audiobooks while driving
The integration of Siri with CarPlay is one of the great allies for the driver, since allows you to control playback without touching the screen. You can use voice commands like:
- «Hey Siri, play the audiobook » to start playing a specific title.
- «Hey Siri, fast forward ten minutes.» or «rewind thirty seconds» to jump to the part you are interested in.
- «Hey Siri, speed up playback" or "put it at normal speed."
- «Hey Siri, for the audiobook» if you need to take a break.
These commands and many more can help you enjoy a truly hands-free and secure experience, as Siri is also able to announce messages, read notifications, and alert you to relevant tasks while you're driving.
Different apps for audiobooks compatible with CarPlay
In addition to the Apple Books app, there are Other apps that allow audiobook playback using CarPlay. Some of the most popular are:
- Audible: The most popular audiobook app, with a wide catalog and playback fully compatible with CarPlay. Simply open Audible on your car screen and choose the book.
- Kobo Books: Similar to Audible, with audiobook integration and seamless syncing between your devices and CarPlay.
- Nextory: Another very popular alternative in Spain, which also has CarPlay compatibility and a wide range of audiobooks in Spanish.
The process is always similar: download the audiobook before driving, connect your iPhone to CarPlay and control playback from your car's screen or via voice commands.
Configure and customize your CarPlay experience
In addition to controlling playback, you can customize the CarPlay interface to your liking. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay on your iPhone and:
- Choose the wallpaper for the CarPlay screen from the settings menu in the car.
- Add, remove, or reorder apps that appear on the main panel, keeping only the ones you use most.
- With iOS 17 from now on, you can even share music control with other passengers via SharePlay, ideal if you are traveling in a group.
Remember Personalization helps make the experience more comfortable and tailored to your needs., making each journey much more pleasant and safe.
Troubleshooting common problems
Minor issues can sometimes arise. Here are some quick fixes:
- Yes CarPlay doesn't recognize your iPhoneCheck that the USB cable is in good condition (if wired) and connected to the correct port. If it's wireless, make sure auto-connect is enabled in your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings.
- If the audiobooks do not appear In the apps, check that they are downloaded and that you don't have connection problems.
- If the Books app may not work properly or if you can't control playback from your car, try closing and reopening the app, or restarting your iPhone and your car's multimedia system.
- If you use third party apps and you experience problems, please contact the technical support of the corresponding app.
Additional tips to improve your audiobook and CarPlay experience
Beyond the basics, there are some small tricks and tips that will help you get the most out of this feature:
- Always download your audiobooks before leaving to avoid cuts due to coverage.
- Set the sleep timer If you are one of those who comes home listening to a book and wants to avoid it continuing to play with the car off.
- Use the physical controls of the car whenever you can: they are safer and prevent distractions while driving.
- Explore the Siri suggestions to get personalized recommendations and automate tasks route after route.
Don't forget that, depending on your mobile operator, Streaming could consume data If you don't have the audiobook downloaded. If your plan has strict limits, it's best to be prepared and have everything ready on your device.
The integration between C and audiobook playback on iPhone is simple and versatile, as long as you know the key settings and know how to take advantage of all the features the system offers. From pre-downloading audiobooks and customizing the experience to using voice commands with Siri or troubleshooting minor technical issues, everything is designed so you can immerse yourself in your favorite stories without complications and in complete safety. Making the switch to audiobooks in the car is, today, one of the best ways to transform any journey into a moment for yourself—learning, having fun, or simply unwinding from traffic.
