Like every year, when Apple announces the WWDC date, almost all car enthusiasts are waiting to see what’s new on iOS 17 CarPlay. With the iOS 16 release, Apple showed their latest version of Apple CarPlay at the WWDC in June 2022. It consisted of deeper integration with vehicle functions like controlling the radio and climate, seeing vehicle data and personalizing their display view with different designs, themes and widgets. They have introduced this as the next generation of CarPlay.
As the features have not been released yet with the cars, we hope that with iOS 17 CarPlay we will be able to see those announced iOS 16 CarPlay features in WWDC 2022 with brand new iOS 17 features.
In WWDC 2023 Apple announced some cool new iOS 17 CarPlay features. But the previously promised next-generation CarPlay experience were not previewed with iOS 17 release. However, still we have got some new exciting CarPlay features like SharePlay, new wallpapers, offline maps and EV charging stations on the maps etc. Let’s take a quick look at what’s new on iOS 17 CarPlay.
iOS 17 CarPlay features 2023
Apple shared their new CarPlay-related updates with the iOS 17.1 release recently. Those are cool options that most Apple users will love! We haven’t seen whole game changers of CarPlay that Apple promised so far, however, still we have got a lot to talk about iOS 17.1 CarPlay new features.
01. SharePlay in CarPlay
With the development of technology, Apple always tries to give their users the best experience with their products. That’s why Apple introduced SharePlay, which can even a rear passenger control the music playing in the CarPlay.
If the car owner has already a subscription to Apple Music and initiates a SharePlay session from CarPlay, the passengers can choose the music to play. The main user can generate a QR code so that others can get access to the playlist to add songs to the queue. Anyone can use Apple Music to contribute to the playlist without a subscription, but the person who starts the SharePlay session has to have an Apple Music subscription.
With this, any passenger in the car can access the music playback in CarPlay using SharePlay. Passengers can easily access to the CarPlay with SharePlay as it notifies you when the driver starts the CarPlay.
Passengers can securely change the music, at least with Apple Music without their phone being given to someone else, unlocked.
How to use SharePlay on iOS 17 CarPlay
Step 01: On your CarPlay screen open the Apple Music app.
Step 02: Go to “Now Playing”
Step 03: Tap on the new SharePlay icon in the top right corner of the screen
Step 04: Now you will see a QR code on the CarPlay screen. Scan the QR code with another iPhone to start the SharePlay process.
Step 05: Next follow the instructions to join the SharePlay session.
Step 06: Once you have completed the process, you will get full control over the Apple Music app. It includes features like playing, repeat, adding songs to the queue and more.
02. Offline Maps
It’s a common situation that has to go through areas with poor network connectivity. It affects the operations of the Maps and causes navigation issues.
With iOS 17, you will no longer have that issue. Apple will offer offline operations to Apple Maps that will allow users to save the preferred route offline.
How to download offline maps on iOS 17 Apple CarPlay
Simply tap on your profile image to start.
Step 01: Tap on "Offline Maps"
Step 02: Tap on "Download"
Step 03: Then drag on the map area you wish to download offline.
Step 04: Tap on "Download"
Step 05: Choose whether you need to update the map over cellular data or force it use the downloaded map from the options as you wish.
This also contains information such as hours and ratings on the place cards. It will show the navigation with turn-by-turn instructions for driving, walking, cycling etc. even if you are offline. As now you can access Apple Maps offline, it seems that Apple has improved the safety features on CarPlay to reduce disturbances while driving.
03. Real-time EV charging station Availability
With the increase in the availability of electric cars on the road, the next thing the drivers need most is to know the information about charging stations nearby. If the car is running out of battery, what you need is the nearest charging station with the update of how long you have to wait in the queue. Apple is ready to provide real-time charging stations available on the route. You will see how many charging stations you have and their statuses.
Other than that, Apple maps will also provide the best routes for electric cars.
04. "Hey Siri" is now "Siri."
It seems like the trigger word of Siri has been updated from "Hey Siri" to just "Siri". This can make your voice commands faster, so it will give you quick responses. However, you can still use “Hey Siri” instead of just “Siri”. Siri voice commands are support for Messaging, Calls, FaceTime, and also for weather updates while you are accessing CarPlay. You can do almost all the things you usually do with Siri on iPhone while using the CarPlay.
05. Easily Accessible Message Interface
The revamped Messages app in CarPlay has an interface that is quick and easy to access while on the road. Now users can reply and re-read messages quickly without taking too much attention from the road, while they are in the drive. With the bigger buttons, you can simply tap on without paying more attention to the screen.
Also, now you can mute the conversation by simply tapping on mute button in the message card to stop hearing future replies.
06. New Wallpapers
The new iOS 17 also contains new wallpaper options too. They can be expanded to the CarPlay interface. In iOS 16 there were few wallpaper options. Now with iOS 17 more colorful CarPlay wallpapers can be seen.
The new iOS 17 CarPlay features will be automatically available after updating your iPhone to iOS 17. The software update will be available for the public later this year for the iPhone XS and newer, and it is already available in beta for developers.
iOS 17 CarPlay - Expected most-wanted Features
iOS 17 expects all the features that were introduced with iOS 16 CarPlay. The features seem so cool and new and will be a great experience for Apple CarPlay users. However, these updates were not previewed in the iOS 17 release.
As Apple is expecting to release them later in 2023 with the brand-new cars, those agreed 14 car brands will only get the following features at first. It seems like the rest of the car users will not be able to experience the features. Let’s see what they have to give us with iOS 17 CarPlay new features.
01.CarPlay on multiple displays around you
With iOS 17, CarPlay will be able to appear across all of the displays in a vehicle providing the experience across the infotainment system, instrument cluster and also the additional screens on the dashboard. This will make everyone in the car use the CarPlay easily with the other displays.
Apple also says that they will tailor CarPlay to each new vehicle model to adapt the unique shapes and layouts. Therefore, each of the vehicle models will have cool and unique versions of the layouts of the CarPlay. You will have various experiences according to your car models.
02. Instrument cluster integration with your favorite layouts
The new version of CarPlay will allow integration with a vehicle’s instrument cluster. The speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, engine temperature gauge, and oil pressure gauge will be available in the CarPlay with several gauge cluster designs and layouts to choose from. There will also be brand-specific options included. You can see information like speed and fuel amount graphically on CarPlay.
03. Climate controls on your screen
With the new CarPlay version, you will be able to easily access your vehicle’s climate controls. It will allow you to adjust the temperature of the A/C or heat, fan speed, heated seats, heating steering wheel and other options.
04. Widgets will be the game changer
This will be the key part of the next generation of CarPlay. Widgets will offer glance information such as trip duration, fuel economy, how far you travelled, your added calendar events, weather, phone calls, HomeKit-enabled garage door status and more. This will let you know your most wanted calculations while you are driving. It will be very useful and easy when you drive alone. You will get all the calculations, and information by yourself, just by looking at your CarPlay screen. These options also can be customized.
05. New FM radio app for your CarPlay
The new CarPlay will include a new radio app, which allows you to easily control the FM radio in your vehicle. You will be able to easily change stations while you are driving.
List of Cars That Will Have the Next-Generation CarPlay
According to Apple, only these car models will get the next-generation CarPlay features. People who are currently obsessed with other vehicle brands will not be happy about this news as their vehicles will not be eligible to experience these most stunning features. However, those who love the following cars will get the best advantage of CarPlay with the iOS 17 new update.
- Acura
- Audi
- Ford
- Honda
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Lincoln
- Mercedes-Benz
- Nissan
- Polestar (New addition)
- Porsche
- Renault
- Volvo
Introducing New Apps With iOS 17 CarPlay
With iOS 17 update fueling and driving task apps will be added to the CarPlay. This will be more exciting as we already told you about the new look of the instrument cluster of Apple CarPlay.
You can easily use road information, toll support, towing help, and more with CarPlay. It will be very useful to have this information around you while driving.
Other than that, you don’t need to worry about using the limited apps of CarPlay. Because you can add any app on your CarPlay using the WheelPal app.
With these stunning features, it will be easy and advanced to use CarPlay. But it seems like some of the users are not satisfied with the car models that these features are going to be compatible with. What users expect is adding them to almost all the car models that are widely used now. Eventually, we will be able to see the new updates of the next generation of CarPlay.
Summary
With iOS 16 CarPlay, Apple introduced many cool features that will be helpful for the drivers and the passengers in the car. But they will not be seen until late 2023 as these features are going to be released with the brand-new cars manufactured in late 2023. In WWDC 2023 Apple introduced some cool features of iOS 17 CarPlay such as SharePlay. To experience the new features and more we have to wait until 2024, as the next generation of CarPlay comes to a reality in no longer!
FAQ related to iOS 17 CarPlay
Which car brands will get the iOS 17 CarPlay?
According to Apple, only the following 14 car models will get the next-generation CarPlay features on iOS 17 CarPlay.
- Acura
- Audi
- Ford
- Honda
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Lincoln
- Mercedes-Benz
- Nissan
- Polestar (New addition)
- Porsche
- Renault
- Volvo
When will iOS 17 CarPlay features be released?
According to Apple, only pre-announced 14 brands of cars will have iOS 17 CarPlay which will be manufactured in late 2023. Therefore, those brands of cars that will be manufactured after 2023 will get the iOS 17 CarPlay features.
What new apps will be added to iOS 17 CarPlay?
With iOS 17 update fueling and driving task apps will be added to the CarPlay. The speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, engine temperature gauge, and oil pressure gauge will be available in the CarPlay with several gauge cluster designs and layouts to choose from. There will also be brand-specific options included. You can see information like speed and fuel amount graphically on CarPlay while you are driving.
If you are still not satisfied with the Apple CarPlay features, don't worry!
With the WheelPal app now you can get any app you want in CarPlay.
