Dynamic Lyrics App Brings Time-Synced Lyrics to Apple CarPlay

Drivers who want passengers to sing along to their favorite songs now have a new option: a little-known third-party app called Dynamic Lyrics that works with Apple CarPlay. According to Engadget, the app displays time-synced lyrics on a car's infotainment system after connecting a streaming service, making it compatible with Apple Music and Spotify.

The app is available in the App Store. Once installed, it prompts users to connect their streaming service. For Apple Music, authorization is straightforward. Spotify users have two choices: a Default method that requires re-authorization frequently, or a Custom method that takes a few extra minutes to set up because it requires a Spotify Client ID. The app provides guidance for the Custom setup.

A key limitation: the feature costs $9.99 to enable permanently. After downloading, users must open the app and pay the one-time fee. Additionally, an iPhone updated to iOS 26 is required to enable the app on CarPlay.

Once set up, the premium version offers customization. Users can toggle between themes and personalize the CarPlay widget. Options include colored backgrounds—white, black, or a gradient that shifts based on the album cover—and cover styles such as vinyl or a full picture of the album artwork.

To add the widget to CarPlay, users go to Settings > General > CarPlay, select their car, and tap Widgets under Customize. After pressing Add Widget, two Lyrics widget options appear. These widgets show up as small squares in the widget stack but can be enlarged by pressing for a bigger view of the lyrics.

Engadget notes that, as with any CarPlay feature, drivers should not take their eyes off the road to use it. The app is presented as a way to keep passengers entertained on long trips or short errands. It also supports translated lyrics for songs in other languages.

For now, the app remains a niche option. Its reliance on a paid unlock and a recent iOS version may limit adoption, but for those willing to pay and update, it offers a way to bring time-synced lyrics to the car screen.