How to play music together in the car using SharePlay and CarPlay on iPhone

Using SharePlay and CarPlay, you and your passengers can all control the music that’s playing in the car.

Passengers can join in two ways: from a notification on their iPhone, or by scanning a QR code on the CarPlay Now Playing screen or on another passenger’s iPhone. The driver needs an iPhone with iOS 17 or later and an Apple Music subscription, but passengers don’t need an Apple Music subscription.

Before you begin

• The driver must have an iPhone with iOS 17 or later and be an Apple Music subscriber.
• Passengers must have an iPhone with iOS 17 or later, but don’t need to have an Apple Music subscription.
• Everyone must allow their contacts to discover them when playing music in the car—go to Settings > Apps > Music, then turn on Discoverable by Nearby Contacts if it isn’t on already.

Start SharePlay with CarPlay on your iPhone

You and your passengers each play a part in using SharePlay in the car.

1. Begin playing music from your iPhone using CarPlay.

   A notification appears on the Lock Screen of passengers’ iPhone devices. After they tap Connect, you receive a notification in CarPlay.

2. Tap a passenger’s name. Tap the Checkmark button to allow the passenger to choose and stream music from your iPhone.

   After you approve a passenger, they can join SharePlay in the future without going through the same process unless you end their access.

Use a QR code to join SharePlay

Passengers can also join SharePlay over Bluetooth® by scanning a QR code.

1. On the Now Playing screen in CarPlay, tap the SharePlay button.

   A QR code appears on the CarPlay screen.

2. Ask a passenger to open the Camera app on their iPhone and point the camera at the QR code.

   A button appears below the picture of the QR code on their iPhone to request a connection to SharePlay. The passenger taps the button, then taps Connect.

3. Tap the Checkmark button on the CarPlay screen to allow the passenger to join.

Use a QR code to add other passengers

While the driver focuses on the road, a passenger controlling the car’s music with SharePlay can invite other passengers.

1. Open the Music app on your iPhone.
2. Open the Now Playing screen and tap the SharePlay button at the bottom of the screen.

   A SharePlay window appears, listing all the participants as well as a QR code for joining.

3. Ask a passenger to open the Camera app on their iPhone and point the camera at the QR code, tap the button that appears below the code, and tap Connect.

   The driver taps the Checkmark button on the CarPlay screen to allow the passenger to join.

Leave or end SharePlay in the car

• If you’re a passenger: Tap the SharePlay button at the bottom of Now Playing, then tap Leave.
• If you’re the driver: Tap End on the CarPlay screen.