Once rare and cutting-edge,CarPlayis now default in many vehicles. Apple has even bigger plans for the next-generation of the platform, designed to keep people firmly rooted in theiPhoneecosystem. CarPlay’s technology could become especially important now that a full-fledgedApple Caris out of the picture.
Some automakers have already signed on, while others say they won’t play ball. There are plenty of other issues up in the air, too, such as launch dates, and whether the existing version of CarPlay will stick around. Here’s what you need to know about Apple’s plans so far.
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What is next-generation CarPlay?
It’s been years in the making
As Apple explained at WWDC 2022, the aim is to expand CarPlay beyond your infotainment display to offer complete control of a car’s interior, or at least as much as automakers will allow. Concept images from Apple, Porsche, and Aston Martin show CarPlay operating on two or more screens, replacing many dials and buttons. It’s such a complete overhaul that it’s worth breaking down piece-by-piece.
Cluster integration
Perhaps the most dramatic change involves replacing dials and other components on the instrument cluster – i.e. the space directly behind the steering wheel. In theory, CarPlay could replace your tachometer, speedometer, and odometer, as well as your oil, gas, and/or battery gauges. Drivers may be able to choose between different layouts, including ones unique to each car brand.
It’s not yet clear whether clusters will support third-party apps, such as Google Maps or Spotify.
You won’t be limited to meters and gauges, though. Some clusters could display real-time navigation through Apple Maps and other apps, solving CarPlay’s current problem of forcing users to look off to the side. Other options should include a compass, and a “Now Playing” view for music. It’s not yet clear whether clusters will support third-party apps, such as Google Maps or Spotify, but that seems likely at some point. Apple is already in hot water for other anti-competitive practices, such asmonopolizing app sales.
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Radio and climate controls
While CarPlay has long supported internet-based radio apps like NPR and TuneIn, so far it hasn’t been able to control a vehicle’s built-in FM, AM, or satellite tuners. With next-gen CarPlay, users should be able to change stations, mark favorites, and receive track info, including artwork (when available). Apple also appears to be flagging stations that support HD Radio.
As climate controls go, drivers should be able to switch between AC and heat, turn on heated seats and steering wheels, and adjust zones, temperatures, and fan speeds. These things are mostly self-explanatory, but a nice touch is that you’ll be able to see zone temperatures at a glance.
Mainscreen widgets
Something you’re likely to see on many vehicles – since it’s easier to implement – is an expanded set of mainscreen widgets. Instead of just music, navigation, andHomeKitcontrols, these widgets should include things like clocks, event calendars, trip statistics, and extended weather forecasts. When you take a phone call, it should appear as a widget instead of overriding everything else. You’ll also be able to check tire pressures and rear camera feeds.
Something else of note is that these widgets will scale to different sizes, and align either vertically or horizontally, depending on the dimensions of a screen. You won’t need a gigantic Tesla- or Polestar-style display to make use of them, in other words.
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Which cars are getting next-generation CarPlay?
Many choices, few details
Here’s the current list of announced brands:
The only two automakers to provide specifics have been Porsche and Aston Martin, and even they’ve been mostly quiet. The latter said it planned to have compatible models by the end of 2024, including a new version of the DB12, but it missed that window.
You’ll also notice some conspicuous gaps on this list, such as BMW, Kia, Hyundai, and Toyota. GM has announced plans to abandon CarPlay entirely in future EVs, while Mercedes-Benz says it’s sticking with CarPlay’s current incarnation while building its own operating system.
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When is next-generation CarPlay launching?
Don’t hold your breath
At this stage, no one knows. Apple and Aston Martin were both targeting 2024, but it’s now 2025, and not a single compatible vehicle has hit the road. According toBloomberg, the main issue is that Apple has had to collaborate with automakers on bespoke interfaces, which is a lot more time-consuming than CarPlay’s vanilla incarnation. That’s expected to stick around, incidentally.
Even after the next-gen tech arrives, it may be a while before it reaches affordable vehicles. Remember that the first model to support any form of CarPlay was the Ferrari FF – it took years before you could expect to find it in your average Kia or Ford.
What are the requirements for the technology?
Same as always
There’s little word yet, except that you’ll still need an iPhone. Apple describes the software as “the ultimate iPhone experience for the car.” There haven’t been any rumors of Apple building a preloaded OS beyond its own abandoned car project.
There’s little word yet, except that you’ll still need an iPhone.
You can count on needing an iPhone with at least iOS 17.4, if notiOS 18, which launched in September 2024 alongside the iPhone 16 lineup. I say this because iOS 17.4’s code included hidden references to several previously unknown features, such as the camera and tire pressure monitors mentioned earlier. More additions could be in store if Apple is planning to require iOS 18.
If either iOS 17.4 or 18 is the baseline, you’ll need at least an iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, or 2nd-gen SE. Running an entire dashboard is bound to be demanding, so the cutoff could shift to the iPhone 11 or later, maybe even the iPhone 16.
On the automotive side, I expect that most brands will offer a choice of wireless or USB connections. Wireless CarPlay is continuing to gain traction, and it’s most likely to show up in expensive models and trims, which describes any vehicle that would have the screens for next-gen CarPlay.
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What happened to the Apple Car?
A gamble that failed
The answer to that is complex. The effort, dubbed “Project Titan” internally, originally began in 2014. Over time, it expanded to draw in thousands of people, including staff poached from Tesla. Despite Apple going as far as testing self-driving technology on California roads, executives appear to have been conflicted about the best path to take – at one point development shifted to a platform rather than a full-fledged car. The project was alive as recently as January 2024, aiming for an EV with scaled-down driver assistance rather than full self-driving capabilities.
Titan reportedly went through multiple leadership changes and layoffs, and even saw an FBI investigation when someone was accused of stealing Apple trade secrets. The death knell came in February 2024, when resources were shifted over to generative AI instead.
Titan reportedly went through multiple leadership changes and layoffs, and even saw an FBI investigation when someone was accused of stealing Apple trade secrets.
Titan was likely too ambitious for the technology available. While companies like Waymo are already running self-driving taxis, these operate in limited urban areas – an Apple Car would have to be able to drive anywhere, coping with highways, dirt roads, and all possible collision threats. EvenTesla’s Full Self Driving technologysometimes struggles, despite having an ample amount of real-world data to extrapolate from. Short of a breakthrough, it’s unlikely that self-driving cars will become commonplace until the 2030s.
It’s unknown to what extent next-gen CarPlay represents what Apple had in mind for the Apple Car.
Apple was also facing major hurdles in manufacturing and sales. It was in talks with several parties about contract manufacturing – since setting up its own factories would’ve cost billions – and there was little if any indication of how it might arrange showrooms and test drives. Moreover, automakers are usually expected to provide parts and repairs for many years, whereas current Apple products are cut off after just seven. In effect, Apple would’ve had to spawn an equivalent of Tesla – minus Superchargers – just to support a single vehicle.
It’s unknown to what extent next-gen CarPlay represents what Apple had in mind for the Apple Car. Some concepts for the product minimized plans for a driver, but Apple was certainly working on in-car displays. Regardless, the company now needs CarPlay if it doesn’t want to cede full-car display tech to Android Automotive and first-party operating systems.
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