It Now Makes No Sense to Own a Porsche and Use an Android Phone

The company's increased focus on the latest-generation technology in its cars seems to include an affinity to Apple's platforms, with Porsche becoming one of the carmakers spearheading the adoption of new features powered by iPhones.

Last year, Porsche adopted Apple Maps EV routing, a feature that Apple announced with much fanfare in 2022 and which debuted only in two models, both belonging to Ford. A few months later, Porsche integrated the My Porsche app into CarPlay, powering new capabilities exclusive to the industry.

Thanks to this integration, certain features bundled with the My Porsche app are available directly from the CarPlay interface. Until then, providing CarPlay with access to vehicle functions was impossible, but Porsche found a way to do it.

The German carmaker is now ready for the second step of its tech revolution.

The company announced an overhaul of the My Porsche app mobile app (available on iPhone and Android, though Porsche only highlighted the new update on iOS).

The mobile companion app received a new home screen, offering one-tap access to essential information and Quick Actions. However, Porsche emphasizes that the number of Quick Actions in the My Porsche app isn't always the same, as they are customized according to the model you own. Electric vehicles get dedicated actions and widgets, including a section dedicated to charging information and other options.

However, what makes the iPhone a Porsche's best friend is the CarPlay integration. While most Porsche models already come with CarPlay, the carmaker paved the way for deeper integration last year, with today's update adding access to more vehicle options on the CarPlay screen. Drivers can set up audio profiles, change radio stations, adjust the cabin temperature with on-screen controls for the air conditioning system, and control the ambient lighting. You don't have to leave the CarPlay interface to reach all these options; everything has been baked into Apple's in-car experience.

If you're interested in more metrics, such as the top speed, G forces, efficiency, distance traveled, and other trip details, they're all integrated into a new section called Performance Dashboard. The system feeds all the data into this app running on CarPlay, with the Performance Dashboard bringing it all together under the same roof.

The other big benefit of the deeper CarPlay integration is the Siri integration. I know what you think. Siri has never been a top-notch assistant, and I feel you. Apple's digital assistant feels outdated compared to competitors, but the iPhone maker is working on it. A ChatGPT-like experience is on its way, promising a complete Siri transformation with smarter actions and more natural interaction.

Porsche's commitment to making more vehicle functions available on CarPlay means you can control them with Siri, too. You don't need to touch the screen but use voice commands for things like adjusting the cabin temperature. These capabilities are not new to the industry, but they previously required Android Automotive or a fully embedded operating system with an integrated assistant. Porsche makes everything possible on CarPlay.

The integration requires PCM 6.0, so there's technically no reason to block the capabilities in vehicles equipped with this software. Unlike General Motors, which makes awful decisions that caused so much controversy, Porsche understands drivers want access to the latest-generation technology. It's why the connection between the iPhone and the vehicle powered by the My Porsche app will be enabled in over 400,000 vehicles already on the road.

The good news doesn't stop here. Porsche also updated the Apple Watch integration, with the new My Porsche version allowing owners to lock and unlock the vehicle from the smartwatch. The best feature is the pre-climatisation, requiring only the Porsche ID to provide remote access to the vehicle.

The Apple Maps EV routing, which debuted last year in the United States on the Taycan, is now getting an expansion, too. Porsche will expand the CarPlay feature to "more cars in countries around the world," though the company doesn't elaborate on who gets it. If you own a Taycan and use Apple Maps on CarPlay, you should update the My Porsche app to see if the EV routing component, which offers automatic charging recommendations and optimized routes, is available in your car.

All these features make an iPhone the perfect companion for Porsche drivers. The switch to Android Automotive doesn't mean you can't own an iPhone. Android Automotive is independent of your mobile device, and as a bonus, it also supports CarPlay, meaning that you can still fire up Apple's system in a Porsche vehicle running Google's OS.

Porsche is also one of the first adopters of the new-generation CarPlay. Projected to launch later this year, CarPlay 2.0 will be an evolved version of the current iteration, allowing deeper integration into the vehicle, widgets, and support for all displays on the dashboard. Porsche and Aston Martin will be the first carmakers to adopt it.