It largely depends on the car's infotainment system and how it handles audio from different sources. However, in most cases, you should be able to listen to your audiobook while using navigation on your iPhone without any special configuration.
For example, when you listen to music through Apple Music while navigating using Apple Maps or Google Maps, Siri or the navigation app generally does not completely interrupt the music. Instead, it temporarily ducks the audio, meaning it lowers the music volume to allow navigation instructions to be heard clearly. Once the navigation announcement is over, the music volume automatically returns to its previous level.
The same principle generally applies to audiobooks played through Apple Books and audio content played through Apple Podcasts. The audiobook should continue playing, while navigation instructions take priority when necessary.
Do you need to configure anything?
Generally, no. You can simply:
- Start playing your audiobook.
- Open your preferred navigation app (Apple Maps or Google Maps).
- Start navigation to your destination.
- Continue listening to your audiobook while driving.
One important consideration: The exact behaviour depends on your car's infotainment system, Bluetooth or CarPlay connection, and the navigation app's audio settings. Some systems may temporarily pause the audiobook instead of lowering its volume. In such cases, playback may or may not resume automatically.
My suggestion is to test this arrangement before starting your road trip. That way, you can establish how your particular infotainment system handles navigation announcements without any surprises on the interstate.
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