Apple CarPlay is getting a huge overhaul in 2024 — here’s all the new features

Apple CarPlay on a full dashboard
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple spent its WWDC keynote focused on all things iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence. Of course, there's more to WWDC than the keynote. In fact, during a developer panel, Apple showed off tons of stuff related to CarPlay and how it would evolve in the future.

The company showed off an overall change to the look and feel of its in-car infotainment system, as shared by TechRadar. However, the firm noted that it'll vary based on how much of the new stuff each carmaker wants to use in its vehicle. What should attract car companies to use more is that the display can be tweaked to match the overall look and feel of each individual car, allowing it to feel more like part of the vehicle and not an add-on. 

Basically, car interior designers can develop their own graphics, logos and instrument clusters that fit with the overall feel of their brand. That means that CarPlay in a Hyundai might look and feel different from CarPlay in an Audi, for example. Rather than the uniform look and aesthetic that CarPlay currently offers.

It also looks like the new CarPlay will be a part of the car more than it was before. Instead of just showing the content of an iPhone in a different way, the new CarPlay experience will let you tweak drive mode or assistance features that are part of the car. Typically these controls and settings are only accessible through the car maker's dedicated infotainment system, separate from CarPlay.

Instead of just a bunch of apps, the home screen will feature buttons for climate control and shortcuts for temperature control, further making CarPlay feel like part of the car.

The new Apple CarPlay

(Image credit: Apple)

The connection to the car goes even deeper for electric vehicles, with Apple showing off pop-up notifications that'll inform drivers of charge status and remaining charge times. It'll even integrate with rear-facing cameras and other park assist functionality that many cars have today.

As you might expected with a big overhaul like this, Apple also promised tons of new apps for CarPlay that'll provide greater control over the vehicle. 

In the end, the biggest change comes from the fact that CarPlay will now be able to show content from an iPhone and anything that is delivered by the vehicle itself. This lets it tap into the car in a way that isn't possible with the current version of CarPlay.

That also means it'll be different depending on what kind of access the automaker wants to give Apple. For some cars, it might feel almost like you're driving the Apple Car we've always dreamed about. For others, it could feel pretty similar to how it is now.

The big piece of information Apple didn't reveal was when the next generation of CarPlay would launch. 

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Mobile Cell Phones
Storage Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 163 deals
Filters
Arrow
Our Review
1
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
Verizon
Our Review
2
Apple iPhone 14 Plus - 256GB...
AT&T Mobility
(Blue)
Our Review
3
Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128 GB in...
Visible
(256GB Blue)
Our Review
4
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB (with...
Straight Talk
(128GB)
Our Review
5
iPhone 14 Plus Prepaid 128GB...
Total Wireless
Our Review
6
iPhone 15 Plus 128GB Green
Apple
Our Review
7
Apple iPhone 15 128 GB in...
Verizon
Our Review
8
Apple iPhone 15 Plus 128GB
Verizon
Our Review
9
Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB
Verizon
Our Review
10
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB
Verizon
Show more
Dave LeClair
Senior News Editor

Dave LeClair is the Senior News Editor for Tom's Guide, keeping his finger on the pulse of all things technology. He loves taking the complicated happenings in the tech world and explaining why they matter. Whether Apple is announcing the next big thing in the mobile space or a small startup advancing generative AI, Dave will apply his experience to help you figure out what's happening and why it's relevant to your life.

Read more
A photo of Apple CarPly in use
Apple CarPlay just got a welcome upgrade in iOS 18.4 — what you need to know
An photo of Apple CarPly in use
Apple CarPlay just got an upgrade with iOS 18.4 beta — but there's a catch
An photo of Apple CarPly in use
Apple breaks silence on CarPlay 2 delay — here's what's going on
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 — all the biggest rumors so far
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19's big redesign is tipped to bring a whole new look and unite all of Apple's devices — and pave the way for a foldable iPhone
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
iOS 18.4 beta doesn't have big Siri changes — but those are coming
Latest in Vehicle Tech
2025 Nissan Ariya Platinum+ AWD review.
I drove the Nissan Ariya EV for a week — and it's nearly the perfect crossover
Composite image of Lucid Air Pure, Rivian R1T and Kia EV9
I've driven over 30 electric cars in the last year — and these are the coolest features that really stand out for me
2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV test drive.
I drove the Chevrolet Silverado EV for a week — here’s my pros and cons
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited review.
I drove the Hyundai Santa Cruz for a week — here’s my pros and cons
2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited review.
I drove the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid for a week — here's my pros and cons
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited test drive review.
I drove the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid for a week — here's my pros and cons
Latest in News
An open lock depicting a data breach
Half a million teachers hit in major data breach with SSNs, financial data and more exposed — what to do now
Sony A95K QD-OLED TV in front of windows in a living room
This new TV breakthrough looks like a game-changer for OLED TVs
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 features on outer cover display
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE may arrive 'months' after the Z Flip 7 — here's why
ExpressVPN logo above mobile devices
ExpressVPN lays off undisclosed number of employees
Poster for The Sex Lives of College Girls
'The Sex Lives of College Girls' canceled by Max after 3 seasons