Apple iOS 18: Here's What To Expect From CarPlay

Apple's latest operating system, iOS 18, brings several enhancements to CarPlay, making the in-car experience more intuitive and feature-rich.

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or later and have updated to iOS 18, here's what you can expect from the updated CarPlay.

One of the most anticipated features is Apple Intelligence (AI), set to roll out with iOS 18.1. Though not immediately available, this AI integration will enhance various CarPlay functions. Alongside this, Enhanced Siri Voice Control is designed specifically for driving scenarios. When activated, the entire border of the screen glows and pulsates, making it clearer when Siri is listening. This feature, like Apple Intelligence, will be part of the iOS 18.1 update, adding a more engaging visual cue for voice commands.

Apple Maps gets a facelift in CarPlay, with improved iconography and a subtle glow effect that enhances the overall display. The changes make location markers more pronounced and easier to interpret, contributing to a cleaner and more user-friendly navigation experience.

New customization options are a key part of this update. Color Filters have been added to assist those with visual impairments, allowing users to tint the entire display or switch to greyscale. The Bold Text option further aids visibility.

CarPlay now also includes customizable wallpaper, offering four new color and pattern options. Switching between light and dark modes will adjust these wallpapers to maintain optimal screen visibility. Another subtle yet handy update is the new Home Icon, redesigned to a single rectangle shape, paying homage to the original iPhone's home button design. Holding this icon also activates Siri.

In a move to make in-car messaging safer and more user-friendly, Apple has added contact photos next to names in the messaging app. This visual aid lets you quickly identify who you're texting, making in-car communication easier. Moreover, Ping Lost Devices is a new feature allowing you to track linked devices like AirPods or an Apple Watch through CarPlay. A simple voice command will trigger a sound on the lost device, making it easier to locate.

Other updates include the introduction of a Silent Mode to keep your phone's ringer off while in the car, preventing unnecessary distractions. Sound Recognition Notifications, designed to help drivers with hearing impairments, can alert you to external sounds like car horns or sirens. However, this feature might only become available with iOS 18.1.

Apple is set to roll out these features in the coming months, with the full potential of CarPlay being realized once iOS 18.1 is available. This update aims to make the in-car experience safer, more personalized, and more integrated with the rest of Apple’s ecosystem, offering drivers a more enjoyable and practical way to use their iPhones on the road.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

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