Musixmatch CarPlay Lyrics: How the Update Works (and a Cheaper Alternative)
If you've heard that Musixmatch now shows live lyrics on CarPlay, you heard right — a May 2026 update added exactly that. If you've been searching for how to turn it on, what it costs, or whether there's a simpler option, this guide covers all three: how the Musixmatch CarPlay feature works, how to enable it, and how it compares to the alternative, Lyricast.
Musixmatch added real-time CarPlay lyrics in a late-May 2026 update. It shows synced lyrics on your car screen — and on Apple Watch — using iOS Live Activities, for both Apple Music and Spotify. To use it, install Musixmatch, turn on Live Activities, connect to CarPlay, and play a song. A Premium subscription (around $35.99 a year) is required for the full experience.
What the Musixmatch CarPlay update actually does
Rolled out at the end of May 2026, the update puts real-time, scrolling lyrics on your CarPlay display and on Apple Watch. It uses CarPlay's support for Live Activities — the iOS feature that lets an app show live, updating information outside its own screen — so the current line changes automatically as the song plays, hands-free. It works with both Apple Music and Spotify, and the same update improved Spotify sync and fixed a few lyric-timing bugs. Musixmatch notes the feature is meant for passengers; keep your eyes on the road while driving.
How to turn on Musixmatch lyrics on CarPlay
The setup mirrors any Live Activities app:
Step 1: Install or update Musixmatch
Get the latest version from the App Store, open it, and sign in to your account.
Step 2: Turn on Live Activities
Open Settings → Musixmatch on your iPhone and make sure the Live Activities toggle is on.
Step 3: Connect to CarPlay
Connect your iPhone to CarPlay, either wired or wireless.
Step 4: Play a track
Start a song in Apple Music or Spotify so there is something for the app to sync to.
Step 5: Open Musixmatch on the CarPlay screen
The live lyric line appears and updates automatically as the song plays.
Two things trip people up. First, if Live Activities is off, nothing shows — that toggle is the fix most of the time. Second, the full CarPlay lyrics experience sits behind Musixmatch Premium, which runs about $35.99 a year at the time of writing. The app is free to download, but expect a paywall for uninterrupted CarPlay lyrics.
Musixmatch vs Lyricast: an honest comparison
Musixmatch isn't the only app that puts lyrics on CarPlay. Lyricast does the same job with the same underlying technology, so it's worth a side-by-side look before you subscribe.
What they share:
- Live, real-time lyrics on the CarPlay screen, powered by Live Activities
- Support for both Apple Music and Spotify
- Free to download and try before you pay for anything
Where they differ:
- Price: Musixmatch Premium is about $35.99 a year; Lyricast is $19.99 a year — roughly half.
- Extra surfaces: Musixmatch also mirrors lyrics to Apple Watch. Lyricast instead extends to your Lock Screen, the Dynamic Island, and Home Screen widgets in several sizes.
Which should you pick?
If seeing lyrics on your wrist matters most, Musixmatch's Apple Watch support is the deciding factor. If you'd rather pay less and also get lyrics on your Lock Screen and Home Screen, Lyricast covers the same CarPlay experience at half the yearly price. Both are free to install, so the low-risk move is to try each for a drive and keep the one that fits your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Musixmatch CarPlay lyrics free?
The app is free to download, but the full CarPlay lyrics feature requires Musixmatch Premium, priced at about $35.99 a year at the time of writing. Lyricast offers the same CarPlay lyrics for $19.99 a year.
Does Musixmatch CarPlay work with Apple Music and Spotify?
Yes. The May 2026 update supports both Apple Music and Spotify, and specifically improved Spotify sync. Lyricast also works with both services.
Why aren't my Musixmatch lyrics showing on CarPlay?
The most common cause is Live Activities being switched off — check Settings → Musixmatch → Live Activities. Also confirm a song is actively playing and that your Premium subscription is active, since the CarPlay feature is gated behind it.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Musixmatch for CarPlay lyrics?
Yes. Lyricast shows the same real-time lyrics on CarPlay for Apple Music and Spotify at $19.99 a year — about half the price of Musixmatch Premium — and adds Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, and Home Screen widget lyrics on top.
Want lyrics on CarPlay without the Premium price tag? Try Lyricast free and see every word in time with your music.
Setting up from scratch? Start with our full guide to getting lyrics on CarPlay.