Tech Desk 
Feb 24, 2025
Apple has made a major change to CarPlay in iOS 18.4, making it more useful for cars with large displays. The latest iOS 18.4 beta update, released on Friday, brings several new features, including Priority Notifications, a new Food section in Apple News, and more.
However, one small but important change in CarPlay has gone unnoticed.
What’s new in CarPlay?
With iOS 18.4, CarPlay now supports a third row of app icons, rather than two. The change is intended to take advantage of larger car displays, providing easier access to navigation and media controls.
However, this feature is not available for every car. It only works on larger displays, though Apple hasn’t confirmed the exact screen size needed. Reports suggest that the Toyota Tundra, which has an up to 14-inch display, supports the new third row of icons.
What to expect from CarPlay update?
Car makers have been putting in larger and improved screens over the past few years, but CarPlay has not adapted well to accommodate them.
Users have found the two-row app layout limiting, with them having to swipe through several pages to access the app they require.
With this latest update, CarPlay is made even more user-friendly, lessening the requirement for additional taps and swipes. This comes in handy, particularly for drivers who prefer easy access to music, navigation, and other vital apps without distraction.
