Can an iPad Replace CarPlay? Here's Your Answer

Carmakers adopted Android Auto and CarPlay to deal with one major shortcoming in their cars: poor software support. Their lazy efforts made everything from integrated navigation to apps a thing that customers often refused to pay for, so by moving to CarPlay and Android Auto, car manufacturers pretty much handed the infotainment control to Apple and Google.

Now, they are trying to get it back. General Motors hoped it'd pioneer an approach that would eventually be embraced by everybody else (it's not, but everything can always change overnight, considering the push for subscriptions), blocking mobile phone mirroring systems and adopting Android Automotive.

As a full operating system, Android Automotive includes advanced functionality not available on Android Auto, also paving the way for what most carmakers are after: a way to monetize the infotainment using a subscription model.

Meanwhile, CarPlay has become a must-have feature for modern drivers, so buying a car without it is often out of the question. Apple data shows that nearly eight in ten US car buyers wouldn't even consider a vehicle without CarPlay.

The lack of CarPlay isn't something drivers want to stick with, so many are looking for ways to deal with it. One of the most common ways to address this shortcoming is with a full upgrade to an iPad, either using a custom dash mod or a simple tablet holder that allows you to install the tablet on the dashboard.

But the question in everybody's mind is as simple as possible. Can an iPad replace CarPlay? Here's your answer.

The first thing you must always remember is related to how a tablet works. The iPad comes with an integrated battery, so installing it on a dashboard isn't always the best option, especially during hot summer days. Keeping the iPad in direct sunlight could lead to overheating, eventually causing the tablet to enter the protection mode and lock access to the device.

Second, not all iPads come with integrated GPS. As a result, applications like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps might not be running correctly unless you find other ways to provide GPS access to determine your location and track it as you drive.

The main benefit of having an iPad instead of CarPlay is the access to the entire app collection available on the App Store. CarPlay comes with many restrictions, including banned app categories like video streaming services. Watching YouTube videos or Netflix shows isn't allowed on CarPlay, not even when the vehicle is parked. With an iPad, you can get access to all these apps.

iPads also support games, though playing them when the device is installed on the dashboard isn't very convenient. However, you can always disconnect the tablet and keep it in hand, especially during longer stops when you wait for your EV battery to recharge. The seamless disconnect option also allows you to take the iPad with you when leaving the car, and even though this might sound inconvenient at first, it's a great way to keep your data with you wherever you go.

CarPlay offers a more seamless experience. You start the engine, and the essential apps are already there. Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, they're all at a one-tap distance without you having to plug in a charger, install something on the dashboard, or adjust the viewing angle. CarPlay starts automatically when you turn on the engine (in some cars, it may require a tap on the icon on the home screen), whereas an iPad must be installed in a tablet holder and connected to the charger every time you get behind the wheel.

The other big benefit of using an iPad instead of CarPlay is the larger screen estate and the higher resolution display. The screens installed in most cars don't even get close to the specifications of an iPad screen, so with a tablet, you get brighter colors, better response to touch, and a faster experience overall.

Full access to apps on the App Store is what drives most people to an upgrade, but it doesn’t take long for the majority of drivers to discover that they mostly rely on the same apps for navigation and music listening. The rest of the apps come in handy when the vehicle is parked, in which case you can always use an iPad without turning it into a full-time CarPlay replacement.

The answer to today's dilemma is that, yes, an iPad can replace CarPlay, but no, it's not worth it. You'll end up struggling with other shortcomings, such as overheating during hot sunny days and the lack of GPS if your iPad doesn't integrate such capabilities. Eventually, CarPlay serves its purpose right, whereas the iPad excels at everything else besides the time spent in the car.