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

iphone 16 display

iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

Monday April 28, 2025 12:48 pm PDT by
Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors. Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard...
Read Full Article • 111 comments
apple watch ultra yellow

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3

Friday April 25, 2025 2:44 pm PDT by
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched on April 24, 2015. Yesterday, we recapped features rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, but since 2015, the Apple Watch has also branched out into the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch SE, so we thought we'd take a look at what's next for those product lines, too. 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple didn't update the...
Read Full Article • 65 comments
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Reaches Key Milestone Ahead of Mass Production

Monday April 28, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple has completed Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) for at least one iPhone 17 model, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report. iPhone 17 Air mockup based on rumored design The EVT stage involves Apple testing iPhone 17 prototypes to ensure the hardware works as expected. There are still DVT (Design Validation Test) and PVT (Production Validation Test) stages to...
Read Full Article • 27 comments
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

20th Anniversary iPhone Likely to Be Made in China Due to 'Extraordinarily Complex' Design

Monday April 28, 2025 4:29 am PDT by
Apple will likely manufacture its 20th anniversary iPhone models in China, despite broader efforts to shift production to India, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In 2027, Apple is planning a "major shake-up" for the iPhone lineup to mark two decades since the original model launched. Gurman's previous reporting indicates the company will introduce a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold"...
Read Full Article • 122 comments
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
Read Full Article • 101 comments
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 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. 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 iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
Read Full Article
iphone 17 air iphone 16 pro

iPhone 17 Air USB-C Port May Have This Unusual Design Quirk

Wednesday April 30, 2025 3:59 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to launch a dramatically thinner iPhone this September, and if recent leaks are anything to go by, the so-called iPhone 17 Air could boast one of the most radical design shifts in recent years. iPhone 17 Air dummy model alongside iPhone 16 Pro (credit: AppleTrack) At just 5.5mm thick (excluding a slightly raised camera bump), the 6.6-inch iPhone 17 Air is expected to become ...
Read Full Article • 122 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