What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18

by

iOS 18 will be unveiled at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in less than two weeks, and the update will include some new features for CarPlay.

Apple CarPlay Dash
Below, we recap new accessibility features that Apple recently previewed for CarPlay, and discuss the current status of the promised next-generation CarPlay.

The first beta of iOS 18 will likely be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately following the WWDC keynote on June 10, and a public beta is usually released in July, which will allow iPhone users to test out the new CarPlay features. As usual, the update should be widely released in September.

New Accessibility Features

CarPlay Sound RecognitionSound Recognition is coming to CarPlay

In a press release earlier this month, Apple highlighted three new accessibility features coming to CarPlay as part of iOS 18:

  • Voice Control: This feature will allow users to navigate CarPlay and control apps with just their voice.
  • Color Filters: This feature will make the CarPlay interface visually easier to use for individuals with color blindness.
  • Sound Recognition: This feature will enable drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive notifications on CarPlay for driving-related sounds, such as car horns and sirens.

All three of these features are already available on the iPhone and iPad.

Next-Generation CarPlay

Next Generation CarPlay Porsche 1Porsche's next-generation CarPlay preview

It has been nearly two years since Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and it has still yet to become available in any vehicles.

Apple's website says the first vehicle models with next-generation CarPlay will "arrive in 2024," but nothing has materialized yet. Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay designs in December, but Aston Martin has been silent ever since and Porsche continues to release vehicles without next-generation CarPlay. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has seemingly reversed course on adopting next-generation CarPlay, despite being on Apple's list of committed automakers shown at WWDC 2022.

At this point, it is looking like next-generation CarPlay will debut with iOS 18, but it could be compatible with some iOS 17 versions too.

Apple said next-generation CarPlay will have deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster, climate controls, FM radio, and more.

Related Roundups: CarPlay, iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology, iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
Read Full Article • 93 comments
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Read Full Article • 104 comments
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
Read Full Article • 88 comments
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
Read Full Article • 142 comments
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
Read Full Article • 84 comments
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
Read Full Article • 36 comments
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Includes Only a Few Changes So Far

Monday April 21, 2025 11:00 am PDT by
Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 18.5 to developers today, and so far the software update includes only a few minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more...
Read Full Article • 68 comments

Top Rated Comments

Larry MacPhee Avatar
Larry MacPhee
12 months ago
Screens require you to look at them in order to use them. Sliders, buttons, switches, and knobs, once learned, do not. It would be nice if the UI people would remember that. Carplay is great for navigation, but I don't need it to take over things like climate control. It's less safe. Controlling the radio via screen is an abomination.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
markfc Avatar
markfc
12 months ago
Poor CarPlay. Get less updates than TVos.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joseph C Avatar
Joseph C
12 months ago
Wouldn’t it be just incredible if you could send voice messages without that endless beeping and the inevitable “Something went wrong” obliterating your entire recording, despite having perfect signal?

And wouldn’t it be a miracle if we could actually listen to voice messages longer than 60 seconds? A truly revolutionary idea.

On a serious note I really want them to fix the above, and also give is the 'next gen' CarPlay UI for the version the rest of us actually use every day (and before any smartypants comments, obviously I know we can't get the instrument cluster stuff, I mean what we already have).
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
12 months ago

Next-Generation CarPlay
No LCARS interface, unfortunately.



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
ignatius345
12 months ago

I do and I don't. again I'm not looking to read paragraphs, just a short preview in case someone sent a one word answer. instead I occasioanally look down at my phone for this like most people and that's far less safe. and again it would be no different than looking at the CarPlay screen to change music or do anything else.
I don't think there's ever a reason to text behind the wheel of a moving car. When my iPhone goes into Driving focus mode, everyone gets an autoreply that tells them I'm driving and that if it's important they should call so I can speak. I'm fine with taking a call and simply refuse to text while I'm driving. Having texts muted keeps me from being tempted and signals to the other person that I'm not going to be responding for a while. I see too many maniacs driving around with their heads in their phones and I think the penalties for this should be swift and severe.

Even CarPlay and all the other purpose-built car screen interfaces absolutely invite distraction. I'm not immune myself, and I've caught myself futzing with my music and taking my eyes off the road. Love having my map up on the display, but the design of these things really requires a lot of discipline. I'm glad CarPlay has at least the guardrails it does have.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike_Trivisonno Avatar
Mike_Trivisonno
12 months ago
Make it work with my HUD. The native GPS will show me navigation instructions in the heads-up display but if I use Apple Maps, it only shows on the main display. But I still use Apple Maps anyway because it's so much better than the built-in system. Still....would be nice.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments