Apple Announces Upcoming CarPlay Accessibility Features, Expected to Roll Out With iOS 19

Apple has shared information about a huge number of new software features it is planning to implement over the next several months, ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAAD), which falls on May 16 this year. The changes impact multiple products, platforms, services, and user touchpoints including the Mac, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, the App Store, the Apple TV app, Xcode, Apple Support, and Apple Retail. Among its many new initiatives and software capabilities, the Cupertino-based tech giant has come up with two new accessibility improvements for the CarPlay interface. 

One big UI change is support for large text, making labels more easily readable and notifications more glanceable. This could help not only drivers, but also passengers who might not be able to easily see text from their seated positions. Apple recently improved support for larger screens on CarPlay with the release of iOS 18.4, allowing a third row of app icons. More prominent text would also make better use of the larger screens in several recently launched cars. UI text size options have been offered on iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches for several years now.

Apple has also improved its Sound Recognition feature which can help users who are deaf or hard of hearing be more informed about their surroundings. With the expected update, it will be able to alert users to the sounds of a crying baby inside the car. Sound Recognition uses on-device machine learning to identify common sounds, and has so far worked for important aural cues outside the car, such as sirens and car horns. This requires an iPhone 15 or later model.

Mac users who might work or use their laptops while on the road will also soon be able to use Vehicle Motion Cues, a feature that was introduced on iPhones in 2024. This aims to reduce motion sickness and make device usage more comfortable by displaying dots around the periphery of a screen. These dots move in sync with a vehicle turning or accelerating, based on motion detection. This tricks a user’s brain, counteracting discomfort caused by the sensations of moving.

The changes are expected to roll out with iOS 19, though Apple has not specified any timeline. The company typically announces new features for each year’s release at its annual WWDC developer event in June, subsequently offering private and then public betas to gather feedback before a launch in September, timed with each new iPhone generation.

Apple’s other upcoming accessibility features include an all-new Magnifier app for Macs that can help people follow along with a presentation; Accessibility Reader which converts text on real-world objects into more legible formats on screen; better labeling of apps in the App Store to show what accessibility features are supported; massively expanded Braille support across devices; accessibility settings sharing for easier setup; and more head tracking and eye tracking options. Apple Fitness+ will add dance workouts for wheelchair users, the Apple TV app will have an optional simplified player UI, and the App Store will highlight games designed for people with accessibility needs. Not all features will be supported on all devices or be available in all countries.

Meanwhile, there's still no sign of the next-gen CarPlay UI, which was meant to debut in production vehicles before the end of 2024.