Musixmatch CarPlay Lyrics: How the Update Works (and a Cheaper Alternative)
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Musixmatch added real-time CarPlay lyrics in a recent 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 is required for the full experience.
This guide covers how the Musixmatch CarPlay feature works, how to turn it on, what it costs, and how it compares to the alternative, Lyricast.
What the Musixmatch CarPlay update actually does
As 9to5Mac reported on May 29, 2026, the update puts real-time, scrolling lyrics on your CarPlay display — and on Apple Watch too. 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. One caveat worth knowing: the lyrics show up as a Live Activity on the CarPlay screen, not as a full page you browse inside the app — the same report notes you can't open Musixmatch on CarPlay the way you can on iPhone. Musixmatch also says the feature is meant for passengers, so keep your eyes on the road while driving.
Live Activities is a standard iOS feature, not something the app invents. Apple explains how it works in its official iPhone guide.
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. On newer iOS versions the switch sits one level deeper — here is where the Live Activities toggle lives.
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: Look for the lyrics on your CarPlay screen
The live lyric line appears as a Live Activity on your CarPlay dashboard and updates automatically as the song plays — you don't need to open the app itself.
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 9to5Mac lists at $35.99 a year. The app is free to download, but expect that paywall for uninterrupted CarPlay lyrics.
Musixmatch vs Lyricast: how they compare
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.
| Feature | Musixmatch | Lyricast |
|---|---|---|
| CarPlay live lyrics | Yes — Live Activities | Yes — Live Activities |
| Apple Music & Spotify | Both | Both |
| Price per year | $35.99 a year (Premium) | $19.99 a year |
| Also shows lyrics on | Apple Watch | Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, Home Screen |
| Free to try | Yes | Yes |
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: Lyricast is $19.99 a year. Musixmatch's CarPlay lyrics need Musixmatch Premium, at $35.99 a year.
- Extra surfaces: Musixmatch also mirrors lyrics to Apple Watch, as 9to5Mac's report notes. Lyricast instead extends to your Lock Screen, the Dynamic Island, and Home Screen widgets in several sizes.
Want lyrics on your own CarPlay screen? Lyricast sets it up in a minute.
Get the appWhich 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 for a flat $19.99 a year. 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, which costs $35.99 a year. Lyricast offers the same CarPlay lyrics for $19.99 a year.
Does Musixmatch CarPlay work with Apple Music and Spotify?
Yes. The update supports both Apple Music and Spotify. 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 — and adds Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, and Home Screen widgets 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.
Prefer a glanceable dashboard panel to full-screen lyrics? Here's how to add a CarPlay lyrics widget.