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<img width="1600" height="800" src="https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/carplay-ai-ios181.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600" class="skip-lazy wp-post-image" alt="CarPlay 2 reboot" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/carplay-ai-ios181.jpg?w=320&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1 320w, https://i0.wp.com/9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/carplay-ai-ios181.jpg?w=640&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1 640w, https://i0.wp.com/9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/carplay-ai-ios181.jpg?w=1024&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/carplay-ai-ios181.jpg?w=1500&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1 1500w" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high"></figure>
<p>CarPlay is cherished by millions of iPhone users. While anticipation for CarPlay 2 continues to grow, iOS 18.4 and recent updates suggest a favorable outlook for CarPlay's development.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carplay-1-0-is-slowly-getting-better-with-ios-18-4-bringing-the-latest-upgrades">Improvements in CarPlay 1.0 with iOS 18.4 rolling out new features</h2>
<p>Despite being a widely used feature among iPhone users, updates to CarPlay have been sparse in recent years.</p>
<p>Since the announcement of the "next generation of CarPlay" alongside iOS 16 in 2022, Apple has seemingly made minimal enhancements to the original CarPlay system.</p>
<p>We've seen updates in apps and new wallpapers with iOS updates, but significant changes have been few and far between.</p>
<p>However, that trend appears to be changing, albeit gradually.</p>
<p>For instance, iOS 18.4 introduces several noteworthy enhancements to CarPlay:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Vehicles with larger displays can now accommodate three rows of app icons, an upgrade from the previous two</li>
<li>Sports-related apps can now provide versions for CarPlay</li>
<li>In the European Union, Google Maps can now function as the default navigation app</li>
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<p>These updates, coupled with AI features from iOS 18.1 and changes related to NACS, indicate a potentially positive shift.</p>
<p>It appears Apple is willing to invest more resources into the existing CarPlay 1.0 system.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-apple-planning-a-new-path-for-carplay-s-future">Is Apple charting a new course for CarPlay’s future?</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img decoding="async" width="2000" height="1000" src="https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?quality=82&strip=all" alt="CarPlay iOS" class="wp-image-983389" srcset="https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg 2000w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=155,78 155w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=655,328 655w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=768,384 768w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=1024,512 1024w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=1536,768 1536w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=350,175 350w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=140,70 140w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=1600,800 1600w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=290,145 290w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/next-gen-carplay.jpg?resize=150,75 150w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px"></figure>
<p>Following the failure of CarPlay 2 to meet its 2024 release timeline, I suggested that Apple ought to refresh CarPlay's "next generation" as an enhanced version of the current system.</p>
<p>The vision for CarPlay 2 involves substantial partnerships with automobile manufacturers, intending for Apple to oversee more vehicle functions beyond just the infotainment display.</p>
<p>However, even after prolonged anticipation, CarPlay 2 will only be accessible to a small number of current CarPlay users—specifically those who invest in a new car equipped to support it.</p>
<p>Various leaks have hinted at aspects of CarPlay 2, indicating that Apple could introduce beneficial enhancements to the existing CarPlay system now.</p>
<p>For instance, images have surfaced displaying some of the customizable widgets that CarPlay 2 will offer in vehicles.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="493" src="https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png" alt="" class="wp-image-985825" srcset="https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png 1200w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=155,64 155w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=655,269 655w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=768,316 768w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=1024,421 1024w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=350,144 350w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=140,58 140w, https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/IMG_0973.png?resize=150,62 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p>Is there any justification for keeping widgets exclusive to high-end new vehicles as part of CarPlay 2? Why can’t Apple make these available within the current CarPlay experience?</p>
<p>I might be overly hopeful, but the recent enhancements to CarPlay in iOS 18 have led me to speculate if this might now be part of their strategy.</p>
<p>As work progresses on the full realization of CarPlay 2, could Apple have decided to start integrating relevant features into the existing CarPlay experience as well?</p>
<p>With the unveiling of iOS 19 approaching in two months, is there a chance that significant design changes could encompass CarPlay, perhaps even including widgets?</p>
<p>This might be optimistic. Yet, given the absence of the first CarPlay 2 vehicles, it would be encouraging if Apple is gearing up for a long-awaited shift.</p>
<p>What do you think about Apple’s evolving plans for CarPlay? Do you believe we might see more innovative features introduced soon? Share your thoughts in the comments.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-carplay-accessories">Top CarPlay Accessories</h3>
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