Help
Add widgets to CarPlay
CarPlay widgets need iOS 26 or later.
- Connect your iPhone to the car.
- On the CarPlay screen, swipe to the widgets page (left of the Home screen).
- Touch and hold a widget, or tap Edit, then tap + and choose Carlume.
- Pick the widget you designed. Repeat for more.
You can also turn widgets on in Settings › General › CarPlay › your car › Widgets.
Set up the startup sound
iOS asks you to add this once. After that the sound plays every time CarPlay connects, even with the phone locked.
- Open Shortcuts and go to the Automation tab. Tap New Automation (or +).
- Choose CarPlay, select Connects, and choose Run Immediately.
- Tap New Blank Automation, search for Carlume, and add Play Startup Sound.
- Tap Done. Next time you plug in, you'll hear your sound.
In the app, open the Startup Sound tab, tap the setup guide and press "Test It Now" to hear it right away.
Carlume is not in the widget list
Open Carlume once on the phone after installing, then restart the iPhone. Widgets from a new app can take a restart to appear in CarPlay.
The widgets page is missing in CarPlay
Go to Settings › General › CarPlay › your car and make sure Widgets is on. Some cars with small screens show widgets only in a reduced layout.
A widget shows old content
Open Carlume and tap Save on that widget. iOS updates widgets on its own schedule; clocks update every minute and photos every 15 minutes.
A widget shows a lock
That widget needs Pro, or a free 24-hour unlock from one short ad. Tap it in Carlume to unlock.
Weather shows no data
Set a place in the Weather widget's editor. Carlume checks the weather every 30 minutes.
The startup sound doesn't play
Check the automation in Shortcuts uses Run Immediately, and that the car's audio source is the phone. The Startup Sound tab shows when it last played.
Does Carlume read my car's data?
No. Carlume only shows widgets on the CarPlay screen and plays a sound from your phone. It never connects to the car's systems.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Settings › your name › Subscriptions › Carlume › Cancel Subscription. Or open Carlume › Settings › Manage Subscription. Cancel at least 24 hours before renewal. Subscriptions are billed and managed by Apple; deleting the app does not cancel a subscription. Refunds are handled by Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.
Is Carlume free?
You can design every widget for free. Putting a widget on the car screen or using the startup sound needs Carlume Pro, or you can watch one short optional ad to unlock one widget type or the startup sound for 24 hours (normally up to three times a day). Carlume Pro comes as weekly (with a 3-day free trial for eligible new subscribers), yearly, or a one-time lifetime purchase, and has no ads. Prices are shown in the app before you buy. Terms of Use.
Restore a purchase
On a new iPhone, open Carlume › Settings › Restore Purchases while signed in to the same Apple Account.
Usage statistics
Carlume can send anonymous usage statistics and crash reports to help fix bugs. To turn this off, open Carlume › Settings › Share Anonymous Usage Data. See the Privacy Policy for details.