iOS 18.4 Includes a Small But Useful Change for CarPlay

[AppleTO]

Just the screen size by itself doesn’t matter. The car reports the resolution and PPI of its display when you first connect your phone and CarPlay activates. The amount of icons has always been based on these factors, but it seems they now allow for additional rows (previously only columns) on a landscape screen, and additional columns (previously only rows) on a portrait screen.

In the Honda Civic example, more rows would be possible if the car reported a lower PPI (resolution permitting), but of course this is not something that users can change. The higher the PPI, the larger the screen elements will be rendered, but less content will be displayed. The 9” screen in the Civic must have a relatively low resolution if it’s only capable of rendering a 2x4 icon grid (or the PPI is set really high).

If you take a screenshot while CarPlay is active and take a look at the image info, the resolution will tell you the render size of CarPlay.

 

[slomtbr]

I just wish I could somehow toggle within CarPlay between listening to SiriusXM, listening to the FM radio, and listening to my music or podcasts. If I want to go to SiriusXM or to the FM radio, I have to exit CarPlay completely including the Maps function.

Look for an audio source selection function in your stereo. I can listen to any source I want while displaying CarPlay, including map apps.

 

[danny842003]

Wow, Apple's break-neck pace of innovation continues. This ALL NEW CarPlay Home Screen now how a THIRD row of icons, making your loved apps more accessible than ever. This truly is the next generation of CarPlay, for true car pros!

Are you ok?

 

[lindros2]

You can use the SiriusXM app with CarPlay.

that's what I do.
Quality is WAY better than OTA SXM.

 

[lindros2]

Try driving a BYD where you have to exit CarPlay to adjust the aircon!

as the PLA/PRC steals all of your data and mines it to destroy the world.
Hard pass.

 

[StoneJack]

Apple's Carplay works flawlessly for me on two vehicles, both with aftermarket Pioneer headunits. I don't really use many apps, mainly maps, messages and music on Carplay.

 

[Javert24601]

Why would you need that? Your phone is literally right there in the car with you, and if you need to track down your AirPods or whatever, you can easily pick it up when you're stopped and do just that. There are already waaayyy too many people pulling boneheaded distracted driving crap without Apple putting toys on the big shiny screen on the dashboard.

I agree about the distracted driving, but it could also be no different from getting directions. Maybe you are driving to pick up your kid from school and they gave you crappy instructions, and you don't know if they are by the main entrance building, by the tennis courts, or over by the football field? Find My isn't just about finding your iPhone.

 

[LordArchie]

2025 BMW XM.. 14.9" screen... no three rows

 

[thefrost]

What a revolutionary change! /s

 

[navigates]

In my Lexus/Toyota it makes the screen smaller by a little so the car toolbar will always be visible even if CarPlay is up. (see example)

That is interesting to know. At least you can head into your car features but yes I agree it has taken up that realestate. I wonder how will it look in my lexus es.

 

[Fluffyk]

I only like CarPlay because it shows a bigger artwork for music than what shows the infotainment of my car. For everything else I like more how the infotainment works.

 

[Calle68]

If we consider an additional row as an upgrade worth of mentioning, we are in big trouble. According to the news and development pace, there is only one developer across Apple working on Carplay.

 

[LutzRFrank]

On a Alpine 11” / CarPlay screen still only 2 rows

 

[TwistedMetal-II]

Why is this not something that is customizable by the user?

All these cars have different screen sizes and orientations. Why not let users add more columns and/or rows and change their size too? So if you just want a few big ones that are easier to press or more if that's your thing...

It's crazy how little customization Apple allows on things that could actually make it more user friendly and more importantly: safe, since you're using the screen while driving.

I would assume because it’s a car.

There are probably driver distraction regulations that OEMs need to implement. That is what restricts users getting the options for customizations.

 

[bandrews]

I just want it so that when a call comes in it doesn't take over the whole screen.

 

[macjaffa]

I just want it to be able to mirror my iphone screen instead of haveing selectively gimped reduced range of functions. Here’s an example for Waze, one of the most popular car play apps, i cant use a keyboard to enter a destination in to the search box via car play….. christ on a bike talk about killin’ it. Other than looking at it, thats the primary function of a sat nav ..

So i have to get my phone out anyway defeating the point of car play. Ive never found carplay to be any more beneficial than just have my phone in a mount.

Ps for you safety freaks wase doesn’t let my passenger enter destination with on screen keyboard either. , and for the tech gurus, ‘voice’ navigation input is an utter joke that is not acceptable .

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Are you kidding me? I have pages of them. This is such a good thing.

I have pages of apps too, but the only one useful are music, maps, calls and messages.

 

[Vistaus]

It's spaced out for a reason. You're reaching out a fair distance with one hand in a vehicle that may or may not be bouncing around, and often only looking at it for a second or two. All that points to a design with less information density and more visual separation between UI elements.

That depends. In Mazda's, you can't use the touchscreen for CarPlay while driving, so the car won't be bouncing around. And you also don't have to reach for the screen, even if the touchscreen worked while driving, as you can use the command center control knob right next to you. So at least on Mazda vehicles, it actually makes sense to have a third row.

 

[xDeadTechx]

What do the arrows in the upper left corner do?

Allows CarPlay to go full screen.. some vehicles such as the 25 explorer have that android sidebar on the left hand hand, these arrows allows CarPlay to take the entire screen and get rid of the sidebar.

 

[redenz]

If they want to reduce distracted drivers they should re-work "Mute driving directions". I swear that mute and unmute button have the smallest hit area. Plus the delay for the button to disappear is like 1/2 a second. It takes me 3-4 tries just to get it to work

 

[Kar98]

I just wish I could somehow toggle within CarPlay between listening to SiriusXM, listening to the FM radio, and listening to my music or podcasts. If I want to go to SiriusXM or to the FM radio, I have to exit CarPlay completely including the Maps function.

That is entirely on your car manufacturer's end. I had CarPlay with an aftermarket Pioneer unit, as well as OEM in a 2017 KIA and in a 2024 BMW (oooh nice large screen), and all of them allowed me to have for instance maps nav on while listening to FM or SXM radio). This issue is not on Apple.

 

[Kar98]

What are people using their CarPlay for that this is useful?

Apple Maps navigation, messages being read out loud to me, Apple Music, audio books from Libby, phone calls...

 

[commanderclif]

kind of hoping this can be toggled if to keep 2 rows. I have a 9" screen and don't want three rows now that they have done away with immediately going to "Now Playing" view and I have to hit the Now Playing button every time I start my car. Don't want smaller to have to hit.

 

[Njiphoner]

I just wish I could somehow toggle within CarPlay between listening to SiriusXM, listening to the FM radio, and listening to my music or podcasts. If I want to go to SiriusXM or to the FM radio, I have to exit CarPlay completely including the Maps function.

I agree ('18 F-150) but I thought I had seen something somewhere at some point, some mention of an FM radio app for iPhone/CarPlay that I was hoping might address this...but then never heard anything about it again.

 

[stoplis]

In Mini’s there’s been 3 rows since they moved to the new models last year.
It can be seen here: CarPlay on Mini OS9