iPad Mini as a Custom Apple CarPlay

Upgrading My Volvo XC60 with a Custom iPad CarPlay Solution

Author

Ark
June 10, 2025

My Volvo XC60 came with a tiny, outdated screen—probably one of the smallest I’ve ever seen in a modern car. When I bought it, I thought, “It’s just a radio; it’ll be fine.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. After getting used to sleek, modern user interfaces, going back to this clunky display was painful. I needed a solution, and my goal was clear: add Apple CarPlay to the original head unit.

After a quick online search, I found a potential fix, but my excitement was short-lived—it only worked for 7-inch screens, and mine was smaller. Determined, I kept digging and stumbled upon a game-changing video: “Next-Level Dashboard with iPad.” By the end, I was sold on using an iPad mini 6 (cellular version) for its compact size and perfect fit in my car.

The challenge was mounting the iPad without obstructing the original screen. Initially, I planned to keep the stock display visible, but I changed my mind—it looked far better covering it. I designed a custom, tool-free holder that sits on top of the dashboard, using magnets for easy attachment and removal. This setup is sleek, functional, and removable whenever I want.

Optimizing the iPad for Driving

To make the iPad a true CarPlay replacement, I focused on three things: a dedicated driving focus mode, a customized home screen, and shortcuts for seamless functionality.

Setting Up the Driving Home Screen

Here’s how I set up a dedicated home screen for driving:

  1. Long-press an empty space on the iPad’s home screen and swipe left to create a new page.

  2. Tap the “Edit” button in the top-left corner, then “Add Widget” to select and add widgets.

  3. To add apps, go to the App Library, touch and hold an app, swipe back to the library with another finger, and tap all desired apps.

  4. Swipe right to the new home screen page, then release the apps to place them.

My home screen includes navigation apps, a shortcut to open Google Maps and the Music app side by side, and brightness controls—essential for visibility. I also added automated shortcuts, which I’ll cover later.

Creating a Driving Focus Mode

To ensure a distraction-free experience, I set up a driving focus mode:

  1. Go to Settings > Focus, tap the “+” button, and select “Custom.”

  2. Name it (e.g., “Driving”), choose an icon, and tap “Next” to customize.

  3. Link the driving home screen by selecting it under the “Home Screen” option. This ensures the driving page appears automatically when the focus mode is active.

  4. Optionally, set a dedicated lock screen (I kept mine empty).

Shortcuts for Efficiency

Shortcuts are the backbone of this setup. Here’s what I created:

  • Driving Focus Shortcut: In the Shortcuts app, tap “+,” select “Set Focus,” choose “Driving Focus,” and set it to “On Until Turned Off.”

  • Turn Off Focus Shortcut: Create a new shortcut, add “Get Current Focus,” and then an “If” statement. Add “Set Focus” under the “If” condition to turn off the current focus mode. Name it clearly (e.g., “Focus Off”).

  • Brightness Shortcut: Tap “+,” search for “Set Brightness,” choose a percentage (e.g., 80%), and name it.

  • Split Screen Shortcut: Tap “+,” search for “Split Screen,” and select two apps (e.g., Google Maps and Music) to display side by side.

Automations

I set up four automations to make the system hands-free:

  1. Bluetooth Connect Automation: In Shortcuts, tap “+,” select “Bluetooth,” choose your car’s Bluetooth device (e.g., Volvo XC60), and set to “Is Connected” and “Run Immediately.” Add the “Driving Focus” shortcut.

  2. Bluetooth Disconnect Automation: Repeat the process, but select “Is Disconnected” and add the “Focus Off” shortcut.

  3. Text Size (Driving On): Tap “+,” select “Focus,” choose “Driving Focus,” and set to “When Turning On” and “Run Immediately.” Add “Set Text Size” to “Extra Large” for better visibility.

  4. Text Size (Driving Off): Repeat, but set to “When Turning Off” and “Set Text Size” to “Default.”

To pair the iPad with your car’s Bluetooth, connect it first via the car’s radio settings, or it won’t appear in the automation options.

Large Icons for Visibility

For better readability, I enabled large icons. Settings > Home Screen & App Library > Use Large Icons.

Adding Shortcuts to the Home Screen

To add shortcuts to the driving home screen:

  1. Long-press an empty space, tap “Edit” in the top-left corner, and select “Add Widget.”

  2. Search for “Shortcuts.” Choose a widget style (I prefer the first option), and select the desired shortcut.

The Final Setup

With everything configured, the iPad mini 6 is now a fully functional custom Apple CarPlay system. It’s responsive, intuitive, and tailored to my needs. However, I hit one snag: sometimes, I don’t want to carry the iPad. So, I designed a new custom holder that’s more compact, charges my iPhone, and can also hold the iPad. This lets me switch between using my iPhone or iPad seamlessly, keeping the setup clean and versatile.

Final Thoughts

Using the iPad as a custom CarPlay solution has been a game-changer for my Volvo XC60. The iPhone option is great for quick trips, but the iPad’s larger screen feels more immersive. I’m torn between the two setups—what do you think? Let me know!

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