Porsche has updated the way CarPlay functions in its vehicles through a new update to the My Porsche app. The update allows vehicle owners to control features such as climate controls and interior lighting settings directly from the CarPlay interface. This advancement hints at what Apple’s future in-car software could look like.
The My Porsche iOS app connects with the car after scanning a QR code from the vehicle’s infotainment system, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM). After connecting, third-party software like Apple Music in Porsche’s infotainment system can synchronize accounts with the iPhone.
For Porsche's electric vehicles, the CarPlay interface will also be able to display the battery's state of charge. This addition aligns well with a recent Taycan software update that supports Apple Maps' EV routing feature.
While CarPlay has not yet fully reached its potential, Porsche’s integration offers a glimpse of what a comprehensive Apple in-car solution could resemble. Quick actions such as warming up the car or changing sound profiles from within the CarPlay interface are examples of Porsche's increasing embrace of Apple's solutions.
The updated My Porsche app CarPlay experience is currently available for new Porsche Cayenne owners and will gradually be rolled out to other models. However, it's unlikely to function in older Porsche models, such as the vintage Boxster.
