CarPlay Now Playing Reference
CarPlay audio integration patterns for Now Playing metadata, custom playback controls, and entitlement configuration.
When to Use This Reference
Use this reference when:
- Adding CarPlay support to an audio app
- Now Playing metadata doesn't appear in CarPlay
- Custom buttons (shuffle, repeat, playback rate) aren't showing in CarPlay
- Your app doesn't appear in the CarPlay Audio section
- Debugging differences between iOS and CarPlay simulator behavior
Example Prompts
Questions you can ask Claude that will draw from this reference:
- "My app doesn't show up in CarPlay at all"
- "Now Playing works on Lock Screen but is blank in CarPlay"
- "How do I add shuffle and repeat buttons to CarPlay?"
- "Custom buttons work on device but not in CarPlay simulator"
- "What entitlements do I need for CarPlay audio?"
What's Covered
- CarPlay's relationship to MPNowPlayingInfoCenter (zero additional code needed)
- CPNowPlayingTemplate customization with custom buttons (iOS 14+)
- Required entitlements (
com.apple.developer.carplay-audio) and background modes - CarPlay-specific gotchas table with time-to-fix estimates
- Testing in CarPlay simulator and real vehicles
- Verification checklist for CarPlay audio integration
Key Insight
CarPlay reads from the same MPNowPlayingInfoCenter and MPRemoteCommandCenter as Lock Screen and Control Center. If your Now Playing integration works on iOS, it automatically works in CarPlay with zero additional code. The only CarPlay-specific work is the entitlement and optional CPNowPlayingTemplate customization.
Documentation Scope
This page documents the axiom-now-playing-carplay reference skill -- CarPlay-specific patterns for Now Playing integration.
- For core Now Playing setup (MPNowPlayingInfoCenter, remote commands, artwork), see now-playing
- For MusicKit automatic Now Playing with Apple Music content, see now-playing-musickit
Related
- now-playing -- Core Now Playing patterns (the foundation CarPlay builds on)
- now-playing-musickit -- MusicKit automatic Now Playing for Apple Music content
- avfoundation-ref -- AVAudioSession configuration for background audio
Resources
WWDC: 2019-501, 2022-110338
Docs: /carplay, /mediaplayer/mpnowplayinginfocenter