Lunio

How to set a custom CarPlay startup sound

Short answer: CarPlay has no setting for this, but a Shortcuts automation can play a sound when CarPlay connects. Make a 2–5 second sound in Lunio (clip → CarPlay → Save CarPlay Sound), then add the automation below.

1. Make the sound in Lunio

  1. Extract audio from a video in Lunio, or open a clip in the Library.
  2. Tap CarPlay, choose 1–5 seconds and tap Save CarPlay Sound. The first one is free.

2. Create the automation (iOS 27)

iOS 27 builds automations into shortcuts and opens new ones on a “Describe a shortcut” screen. Add the steps yourself:

  1. In Shortcuts, tap +, then Edit in the top-right corner.
  2. Under the search field, tap Automation and choose CarPlay (or Bluetooth and your car), then Connects.
  3. Search for Lunio and add Get Lunio CarPlay Sound.
  4. Search for Play Sound and add it below. Its sound should read Lunio CarPlay Sound.
  5. Tap ▶ to test.

2. Create the automation (iOS 18–26)

  1. Open Shortcuts › Automation and tap +.
  2. Choose CarPlay, then Connects, and set it to Run Immediately.
  3. Add the action Get Lunio CarPlay Sound.
  4. Add Play Sound. Tap the sound in Play Sound and choose Lunio CarPlay Sound from the step above — otherwise it plays a standard tone.
  5. Tap Done.

Test it without a car: open the automation and tap the play button. You should hear your sound.

Changing the sound

Make a new CarPlay sound in Lunio. It replaces the old one, and the automation uses the new one automatically.

Without Lunio’s action

Save the sound to Files (Lunio’s Save to Files button), then use Get File instead of “Get Lunio CarPlay Sound”, and pick it in Play Sound. Keep the file on the iPhone, not only in iCloud Drive.

FAQ

How long should it be? 2–5 seconds feels best; Lunio allows up to 5.

It plays a default beep instead of my sound. In Play Sound, the sound must be set to the result of the previous action.