Cars aren’t just four wheels and a steering wheel; they have also become technologically advanced. To make the ride more happening and give you the feel of using your phone (some part of it) in your car, Apple introduced CarPlay. Interestingly, Apple was the first to introduce phone integration software for cars before Google’s Android Auto. Apple launched CarPlay in March 2014, whereas Google followed a year later, in March 2015. It was the 2014 Ferrari FF that was the first car to launch with Apple CarPlay support.
Since then, Apple has evolved its iPhone integration software for cars. However, the company was rumored to be working on the next version of CarPlay, called CarPlay Ultra. And after years of development, Apple finally released CarPlay Ultra this month. But the question remains, what was the need for CarPlay Ultra, and what’s different than normal Apple CarPlay? If you had the same thought, hold your horses, as this article will give answers to all your questions about Apple CarPlay Ultra.
What is Apple CarPlay Ultra?
If you own an iPhone and a car, then you are probably familiar with Apple CarPlay (unless you are living under a rock). It lets you enjoy some of your phone apps and features, such as receiving/making phone calls, receiving/sending messages, using navigation apps, playing music, and some games etc. Until now, you were able to use only your phone’s features or those made specifically for CarPlay on your car’s infotainment screen. The car’s built-in system wasn’t manageable through Apple CarPlay. But that changes with Apple CarPlay Ultra.
Apple CarPlay Ultra is built upon CarPlay, but now it lets you control both your infotainment head unit’s features as well as the existing CarPlay platform. This means the Apple CarPlay Ultra will also take information directly from the car, such as fuel information, speed, and climate control, and show it through the CarPlay’s interface. What’s the benefit? Well, it will be pleasing to your eyes if you love Apple’s UI, that’s it.
What’s the difference between Apple CarPlay Ultra and CarPlay?
Instead of giving you a wall of paragraphs, we at TechPP have simplified the differences between Apple CarPlay Ultra and CarPlay. Below, you will find what’s new in CarPlay Ultra.
- CarPlay Ultra gets “deeper integration,” meaning you get to set different dynamic speedometer and tachometer dials and access the fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and other car-related information.
Source: Apple - CarPlay Ultra will display apps from the iPhone, such as maps and media, along with built-in information about the car, such as tire pressure, whether ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) is engaged, the selected driving mode, etc.
Source: Apple - If you love widgets, then you will love CarPlay Ultra, as it allows you to add widgets to your screen. This means you add your favorite app and get its information on the homescreen, instead of the usual map, music, and alert icons.
Source: Apple - Vehicle owners can easily control their infotainment and in-car features using on-screen controls, physical buttons, and even Apple’s voice assistant Siri to summon tasks. Thanks to CarPlay Ultra, you can now even take control of your car’s radio and tune it to listen to other stations, which wasn’t possible in the standard CarPlay.
Source: Apple - Users can also tweak the equalizer and vehicle-specific features, such as climate control, right from the Apple CarPlay Ultra, with its sleek UI.
Source: Apple - The best part is that you won’t be bored by the same look of Apple CarPlay Ultra in every vehicle that you sit in. Each brand’s car will have a different CarPlay Ultra appearance, giving a distinct look for each carmaker.
Source: Apple - CarPlay Ultra brings more customization options than ever before. You can not only customize the look of the infotainment screen by changing the background, wallpaper, or other aspects of the UI, but you will also be able to tweak the look of the instrument cluster as well.
Which car brands support Apple CarPlay?
Not all car brands support Apple CarPlay Ultra at the moment. If you plan to own the new Aston Martin DBX supercar, then you will be able to enjoy Apple CarPlay Ultra. Because, for now, the software is limited to the new Aston Martin range of supercars. Moreover, it isn’t available on global models, meaning Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada are eligible for CarPlay Ultra. Apple has also confirmed that existing models of the brand that feature a next-generation infotainment system will get Apple CarPlay Ultra support with a software update in the coming weeks. This means that Aston Martin models such as the 2024 DB12 and the 2025 Vantage, Vanquish, and DBX will be eligible for a software update.
Aside from Aston Martin, the company has also confirmed that other carmakers such as Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are also working with Apple to introduce CarPlay Ultra in their cars. Ford, Volvo, Renault, and Porsche are also on board.
Which iOS version supports Apple CarPlay Ultra?
Apple has specifically mentioned the software requirements for Apple CarPlay Ultra. Notably, owners need to have a supported vehicle and an iPhone 12 or newer (running iOS 18.5 or later) in order to enjoy the features of CarPlay Ultra.
Everything in a nutshell
|
Feature
|
Apple CarPlay
|
Apple CarPlay Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
|
Home screen layout
|
Shows CarPlay-compatible apps
|
Adds support for widgets
|
|
Customization
|
Limited to apps and display options
|
Widgets, color themes, wallpapers, and integration with the car’s ambient lighting
|
|
Vehicle control integration
|
Requires using built-in car buttons to access climate, drive modes, etc.
|
Fully integrates with and replaces the vehicle’s native controls
|
|
Instrument cluster support
|
Not supported
|
Fully integrated with digital cluster, customizable layouts
|
|
Data displayed on the cluster
|
None (limited to built-in car functions)
|
Mix of car and phone information (navigation, music, etc.)
|
|
Navigation display
|
Only on the infotainment screen and in some supported models in the cluster
|
Can show full-screen Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze in the instrument cluster
|
|
OEM Styling
|
Generic Apple interface
|
Co-designed with automakers to match brand aesthetics
|
|
Radio control
|
Controlled via the car’s native system
|
Controlled directly within CarPlay Ultra
|
|
Re-entry into the system
|
Quickly toggle between the car’s system and CarPlay
|
Designed as a full infotainment takeover, exiting is more involved
|
|
Wallpaper support
|
Limited
|
User-selectable wallpapers, including personal photos
|
|
Third-party app integration in the cluster
|
For some models.
|
Supported (e.g., Google Maps, Waze within the instrument cluster)
|
