Blog

How to Turn Your iPhone into a Car Dashboard: Tips and Tricks

maalic 8 February 2024

If you own an iPhone, you probably use it for a lot of things in your daily life. But did you know that you can also use it as a car dashboard? With the right accessories and apps, you can turn your iPhone into a powerful and convenient tool for your car. You can mount it on your windshield, vent, or CD player, charge it wirelessly, and use Siri, CarPlay, and Maps to navigate and control your music. In this blog post, we will show you how to do that, and give you some recommendations for the best car mounts and wireless chargers for your iPhone.

Also Read : Unleashing the Future: A Deep Dive into the Portable Desktop Mobile Phone Wireless Charger Station 3In1

Why use your iPhone as a car dashboard?

Using your iPhone as a car dashboard has many benefits, such as:

You can access your favorite apps and features on a familiar and user-friendly interface.
You can use voice commands to make calls, send texts, get directions, play music, and more, without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.
You can enjoy a larger and clearer screen than most built-in car infotainment systems, especially if you have an iPhone 12 Pro Max or an older Plus model.
You can save money and space by not having to buy a separate GPS device, car charger, or music player.

How to mount your iPhone on your car?

The first step to using your iPhone as a car dashboard is to mount it on your car. There are different types of car mounts available, depending on where you want to place your iPhone and how you want to secure it. Here are some of the most common types:

Windshield mounts: These mounts use a suction cup to attach to your windshield, and usually have an adjustable arm and a cradle to hold your iPhone. They offer a clear view of your iPhone screen, but they can also block your visibility and leave marks on your windshield.
Vent mounts: These mounts clip onto your car’s air vents, and usually have a magnet or a clamp to hold your iPhone. They are easy to install and remove, and don’t leave any residue on your car. However, they can also block the airflow and affect the temperature of your iPhone.
CD player mounts: These mounts insert into your car’s CD player slot, and usually have a ball joint and a cradle to hold your iPhone. They are stable and secure, and don’t interfere with your windshield or vents. However, they can also prevent you from using your CD player and may not fit all cars.

Some of the best car mounts for your iPhone are:

OtterBox Wireless Charger Dash & Windshield Mount for MagSafe: This mount is compatible with iPhone 12 models, and uses MagSafe technology to magnetically attach and charge your iPhone wirelessly. It also has a suction cup and a flexible arm to mount on your windshield or dashboard. You can get it from Amazon.
Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO with MagSafe: This mount is also compatible with iPhone 12 models, and uses MagSafe technology to magnetically attach and charge your iPhone wirelessly. It also has a clip and a ball joint to mount on your car’s air vent. You can get it from Amazon.
iOttie Easy One Touch 6 CD Slot Mount: This mount is compatible with most iPhone models, and uses a one-touch mechanism to lock and release your iPhone. It also has a CD player insert and a ball joint to mount on your car’s CD player slot. You can get it from Amazon.

How to charge your iPhone wirelessly in your car?

The next step to using your iPhone as a car dashboard is to charge it wirelessly in your car. This way, you can avoid the hassle of tangled wires and keep your iPhone battery full. There are different types of wireless chargers available, depending on how much power you need and how you want to connect them to your car. Here are some of the most common types:

Magnetic wireless chargers: These chargers use MagSafe technology to magnetically attach and charge your iPhone wirelessly. They offer a fast and convenient charging experience, but they are only compatible with iPhone 12 models and require a USB-C power adapter.
Qi wireless chargers: These chargers use Qi technology to charge your iPhone wirelessly by placing it on a charging pad or stand. They offer a universal and flexible charging experience, but they are not as fast or secure as magnetic chargers and may require a case or a metal plate for your iPhone.
Car power adapters: These adapters plug into your car’s cigarette lighter or USB port and provide power to your wireless charger. They are essential for wireless charging in your car, but they can also vary in quality and compatibility.

Some of the best wireless chargers for your iPhone are:

Belkin Magnetic Wireless Car Charger: This charger is compatible with iPhone 12 models, and uses MagSafe technology to magnetically attach and charge your iPhone wirelessly. It also has a 3.5-foot USB-C cable and a car power adapter to connect to your car’s USB port. You can get it for from Amazon.
Kenu Airframe Qi Wireless Charging Vent Mount: This charger is compatible with most iPhone models, and uses Qi technology to charge your iPhone wirelessly by placing it on a vent mount. It also has a 12W car power adapter and a 3-foot USB-C cable to connect to your car’s cigarette lighter. You can get it from Amazon.
Anker PowerWave 7.5 Car Charger: This charger is also compatible with most iPhone models, and uses Qi technology to charge your iPhone wirelessly by placing it on a dashboard mount. It also has a 7.5W car power adapter and a 3-foot Micro USB cable to connect to your car’s cigarette lighter. You can get it from Amazon.

Also Read: Apple MagSafe Charger: The best iPhone accessory for 2024

How to use Siri, CarPlay, and Maps in your car?

The final step to using your iPhone as a car dashboard is to use Siri, CarPlay, and Maps in your car. These are some of the best apps and features that can enhance your driving experience and make your iPhone more useful in your car. Here are some of the things you can do with them:

Siri: Siri is your personal assistant that can help you with various tasks and commands using your voice. You can activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing and holding the voice command button on your steering wheel. You can then ask Siri to make calls, send texts, get directions, play music, and more, without touching your iPhone. For example, you can say “Hey Siri, call Mom” or “Hey Siri, play some rock music”.
CarPlay: CarPlay is a feature that lets you use your iPhone apps on your car’s built-in display. You can connect your iPhone to your car via a USB cable or Bluetooth, depending on your car’s compatibility. You can then use CarPlay to access apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, Music, Podcasts, and more, using your voice, touch, or knobs and buttons. For example, you can tap the Maps icon to see your location and destination, or use the knob to scroll through your music library.
Maps: Maps is an app that helps you navigate and explore the world. You can use Maps to get turn-by-turn directions, traffic information, transit options, and nearby places. You can also use Maps to find your parked car, share your location, and create collections of your favorite places. For example, you can say “Hey Siri, take me home” to get directions to your home, or tap the Parked Car icon to see where you left your car.

Conclusion

Using your iPhone as a car dashboard can make your driving experience more enjoyable and convenient. You can mount your iPhone on your car, charge it wirelessly, and use Siri, CarPlay, and Maps to navigate and control your music. All you need are some accessories and apps to get started. We hope this blog post has helped you learn how to do that, and given you some recommendations for the best car mounts and wireless chargers for your iPhone.