Less scrolling: iPhone packs more icons in carplay – but not everywhere

Unexpectedly comes often: Users of iOS 18.4, whose first beta has appeared last week after a long waiting period, reports on improvements also for Apple's iPhone vehicle integration CarPlay. Accordingly, more icons can now be displayed directly on the homescreen for the first time than before. As simple as that is, it has a big impact on usability: when driving, you have to wipe on the screen less often (or operate a corresponding controller in the vehicle) in order to get to a desired app. Programs that are particularly frequently used end up on the second or third side, these are then distracted when scrolling, which can lead to unsightly situations.

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Suddenly more icons, but not everywhere

As Macrumors reports, the new feature is not on all carplay screens available. These already need a certain size, with 9-inch screens there is obviously nothing changes. On the other hand, if the display is sufficiently dimensioned (for Apple), instead of just two Icon series, a third appears. That can be five more icons. If the screen is different, i.e. in broad format, it also happens that Apple shows five instead of four icon columns.

Unfortunately, Apple does not seem to provide any setting options to decide how many icons should be displayed in CarPlay. That is a shame, because then you could decide to live with smaller icons. So you need to rely on the vehicle integration correctly recognizes the screen size and makes the adjustment. Something may change in the course of the beta, iOS 18.4 Beta 1 is by no means already complete.

CarPlay 2.0 still in waiting

Apple is currently only sporadically taking care of CarPlay extensions. The big new variant, CarPlay 2.0, was to be launched for the first time in cooperation with vehicle manufacturers in 2024, but nothing has happened yet. Most recently, Apple announced that the implementation should now take place this year.

“Each car brand will announce further details as soon as you announce your models that will support the next generation of CarPlay,” said Apple's statement. CarPlay 2.0 (or: CarPlay of the next generation) should be integrated deeper into the car, such as enabling vehicle control functions directly via CarPlay and also bring your own instruments for the speed display.