{"id":199866,"date":"2026-05-06T12:38:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/?p=199866"},"modified":"2026-05-06T12:38:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:38:03","slug":"how-to-auto-open-maps-when-you-connect-to-carplay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/how-to-auto-open-maps-when-you-connect-to-carplay\/","title":{"rendered":"How to auto-open Maps when you connect to CarPlay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Find out how to set your iPhone to automatically open Google Maps, Apple Maps, or some other app the moment you start wired or wireless CarPlay.<\/span><\/p>\n

I like having Google Maps on my car’s screen, even when I’m going somewhere nearby, because it lets me see small roads, turns, traffic, and other details.<\/p>\n

Since I have taken the time to remove several unnecessary apps from my CarPlay screen<\/a>, all it usually requires is a tap to open Google Maps. However, my car’s infotainment system takes a while to recognize and auto-activate CarPlay after I plug in my iPhone. This means I have to wait and then open Google Maps; that often causes friction.<\/p>\n

To address this, I have set up an automation that automatically fires up Google Maps on my car’s screen the moment CarPlay activates. I no longer have to wait and tap the Maps icon before engaging with the steering wheel.<\/p>\n

This tip is also useful for parents and grandparents<\/a> who find Maps helpful on their car’s screen but don’t want to fiddle with it before each drive.<\/p>\n

Of course, you’re free to set any other app to auto-open when CarPlay activates; the steps are the same.<\/p>\n

Open Maps automatically on the car screen when CarPlay activates<\/h2>\n

1)<\/strong> Open the built-in Apple Shortcuts app<\/a> on your iPhone and tap Automation<\/strong> from the bottom menu row.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> Tap New Automation<\/strong> or the plus button (+)<\/strong> to create a new one.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Select CarPlay<\/strong> from the list of conditions.<\/p>\n

\"Starting <\/p>\n

4)<\/strong> Leave ‘Is Connected’ checked and ‘Is Disconnected’ unchecked. Then tap Run Immediately<\/strong> to run the automation without your approval, and tap Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

5)<\/strong> Tap the Open App<\/strong> tile at the top.<\/p>\n

\"Setting <\/p>\n

6)<\/strong> Tap the App<\/strong><\/em> placeholder text and select Google Maps<\/strong>, Apple Maps<\/strong>, or any other app you want.<\/p>\n

\"Setting <\/p>\n

7)<\/strong> Finally, tap the checkmark icon<\/strong> to finish saving your automation.<\/p>\n

\"iOS <\/p>\n

Moving forward, when you connect your iPhone to your car to start wired or wireless CarPlay (or if it auto-connects), the chosen app (Google Maps in our case) will automatically appear on the full infotainment screen. You don’t have to do a thing.<\/p>\n

For me, I just plug in the USB cable, and after a few seconds, CarPlay starts automatically, and Google Maps appears on the screen. I don’t have to wait or tap anything.<\/p>\n

If you repeat the above steps and set up more than one automation, it only seems to open the app from the first automation.<\/p>\n

And if you ever want to stop this, just return to the automation section of the iPhone Shortcuts app, swipe left on this CarPlay automation, and delete it. You could also tap the automation and set ‘Run Immediately’ to ‘Don’t Run.’<\/p>\n

Also, check out<\/strong>:<\/p>\n