Is iOS CarPlay API Public? How to Integrate CarPlay?

Question

Is the CarPlay API publicly available?

Where can we find a programming guide or the reference to these classes if it is?

Or will it integrate seamlessly with other APIs like Audio from AVFoundation?

Notes

• This question is broad and may be flagged as so but please do not as though there is almost no information on the subject and a lot of people could find it useful at this stage
• I live in Switzerland and want to go to Geneva to try out a demo app that I would write on a Ferrari lol.

Answer 1

This question dates of early 2014. Let me update this with a mid 2016 answer:

TL;DR - No, it is not publicly available.

In order to get the tools, documentation, technical specs and even the license itself to develop for (amonst others) Carplay, you need to be enrolled with Apple's MFi Program.

Apple's MFi Program ("Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad") is a licensing program for developers of hardware and software. This is a specific license targeted at manufacturers, mostly of "mass production" units, that has additional benefits over the regular developer accounts for companies. These benefits include hardware components, tools, docs, techsupport and of course the license that you are allowed to develop specifically for these devices and technologies, like Carplay.

The MFi Enrollment FAQ is a decent read that makes everything pretty clear. But before you get your hopes up, do note that -again- it is only available for manufacturers. Like the FAQ states:

Q: Am I eligible to apply for the MFi Manufacturing License if my company does not own a manufacturing facility?

A: No. The MFi Manufacturing License is intended solely for companies that own one or more manufacturing facilities.

There are some exceptions. For example if you're a contractor, or an engineering design firm, that develops MFi accessories for a client (who is a manufacturer).

But basically put, it is not for the average developer and admission is quite strict. This means, in a nutshell, that Apple Carplay is not available to developer for by the, say, 95% of us.

Answer 2

The MusicCarDisplayUI.framework framework is a private framework as of iOS 7.1. Taking a look at the runtime headers of the framework, one can guess why; it's just not ready yet for wide use. Whether Apple will make it public in the future is one's guess.

In the meantime, make sure to open a feature request or directly contact Apple here.

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Update: If you wish to have a CarPlay-enabled app, contact Apple using this form.

Answer 3

Just worked on carplay project.

1. You can find the api documents on apple's developer website. Like MPPlayableContentManager and MPContentItem.
2. However only after registered on apple's website for carplay, will apple send you the "Carplay Programming Guide" telling you how to activate the car simulator and what classes to use and how to do things etc.

Answer 4

Take a look at MediaPlayer Framework. There are a bunch of classes in there designed for CarPlay only. For example, MPPlayableContentManager, MPContentItem, etc. Obviously, you won't be able to deploy it via the AppStore without Apple's approval.

Answer 5

Partially since iOS 12.0 : https://developer.apple.com/documentation/carplay

The CarPlay framework is for use by navigation apps only. If you want to add CarPlay support to your audio app, use MPPlayableContentManager. For messaging apps, use SiriKit’s Messaging-related intents to support reading and sending messages in CarPlay through Siri. For VoIP calling apps, use CallKit with SiriKit’s VoIP Calling-related intents to make and answer audio calls on a CarPlay system.