Apple CarPlay Not Reading Text Messages in iOS 18: What Changed and How to Fix It

I've helped drivers upgrade their car tech for years, and the iOS 18 update brought one of the biggest waves of complaints I've ever seen.

Thousands of iPhone users suddenly found their text message notifications missing from CarPlay screens. If you're dealing with this frustration right now, you're definitely not alone. Here's exactly what happened and what you can do about it.

Key Takeaways

• Apple removed text message popup notifications from CarPlay in iOS 18 when you're using other apps like music or navigation
• Messages now only appear on your vehicle screen when the CarPlay Messages app is open
• This change affects all iPhone models running iOS 18 and all vehicle brands with CarPlay
• Apple says they did it for safety, but many drivers argue it makes driving less safe
• Several workarounds exist, though none fully restore the old way
• The feature won't return unless Apple gets a lot of user feedback through their official channels

What Actually Changed in iOS 18

When iOS 18 launched in September 2024, it fundamentally changed how CarPlay handles text messages.

Before this update, you'd see a notification banner at the bottom of your screen whenever a text arrived. This happened whether you were listening to Spotify, using navigation, or streaming a podcast. The banner would appear for a few seconds and then disappear.

After iOS 18, that's gone.

Now your text notifications only show up when you're viewing the Messages app in CarPlay. If you're on any other screen, you'll only hear a chime through your speakers.

Apple support representatives confirmed this wasn't a bug. Multiple users who contacted Apple were told the feature was removed on purpose. One user who talked to a Senior Advisor heard it clearly: "the CarPlay text popup box was REMOVED with the 18 update. It's not a bug or something awaiting a fix, it's gone."

This affects every iPhone from iPhone 12 through iPhone 16, and every vehicle from Toyota and Honda to BMW and Mercedes.

Why Apple Made This Change

Apple's official explanation centers on safety.

According to support reps who spoke with affected users, the company removed visual message notifications to encourage "hands-free" driving. The idea is that popup notifications distract drivers from their main task, whether navigation or controlling music.

But here's where it doesn't add up.

You still hear the audio notification when a message arrives. So if the goal was truly hands-free, why keep the sound? Many drivers argue that hearing a chime but not seeing the message forces them to interact more with their screens, not less.

Think about it: before iOS 18, you'd see a quick notification and know you got a message without touching anything. Now, you have to navigate through menus while driving to check if that chime was important.

Some users think there might be other reasons beyond safety. The change could push more people to use Siri's automatic message announcements. Or it might be part of a bigger notification system redesign in iOS 18.

Whatever the real reason, Apple hasn't shared detailed safety research to support the decision.

How This Affects Your Daily Driving

The actual impact depends on how you use CarPlay.

If you get occasional texts and don't need immediate awareness, you might barely notice. But for many drivers, especially professionals who rely on quick communication, this change creates real problems.

Delivery drivers, rideshare operators, and sales professionals report missing time-sensitive messages because they had no visual sign one arrived. Some drivers describe going hours without realizing they got an important message, only finding it when they checked their phone after parking.

The issue gets worse with wireless CarPlay in certain vehicles. Some users report not hearing any notification at all, especially when listening to podcasts or music at higher volumes. They're completely unaware messages arrived until they manually check.

This creates a weird gap where people sending messages think their communications were received while drivers remain completely unaware.

For parents coordinating pickups, business owners managing appointments, or anyone expecting urgent communications, this is a significant downgrade.

Checking Your Notification Settings

Before trying more involved solutions, verify your basic settings are correct.

Start by opening Settings on your iPhone. Go to Notifications, then Messages. Make sure "Show in CarPlay" is toggled on. This won't restore the popup notifications, but it ensures you're not blocking messages entirely.

Next, check that you haven't enabled Face ID requirements for your Messages app. Go to your home screen, long-press the Messages app, select "Require Face ID" from the menu, and make sure it's turned off. If this setting is enabled, the Messages app won't appear in CarPlay at all.

You should also verify that CarPlay isn't restricted on your phone. Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions. Under Allowed Apps, make sure CarPlay is listed and enabled. Some users reported this setting changed after the iOS 18 update.

Finally, confirm both Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled on your iPhone if you're using wireless CarPlay. Both need to be active for wireless CarPlay to work properly.

Enabling Siri Message Announcements

Apple's intended solution involves having Siri read your messages aloud.

To enable this, go to Settings, then scroll down to Announce Messages (or Announce Notifications in some iOS versions). Toggle on "Announce Messages" and select "CarPlay" from the list.

When a message arrives, Siri will read the sender's name and message content through your vehicle's speakers. You can then respond by voice without touching your screen.

The problem? Many people find this feature incredibly annoying.

If you're in a group chat or receive multiple messages throughout the day, constant voice interruptions get old fast. It's especially disruptive if you're listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or having a conversation with passengers.

Some users also have privacy concerns about having messages read aloud automatically, especially when driving with others in the vehicle.

This workaround trades one problem for a different one rather than solving the real issue.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If you're having broader CarPlay problems beyond just message notifications, several technical fixes might help.

First, try completely forgetting your vehicle's connection:

• Go to Settings, then Bluetooth
• Find your vehicle in the list
• Tap the information icon
• Select "Forget This Device"
• Then go to Settings, General, CarPlay
• Select your vehicle and choose "Forget This Car"

After removing all pairing information, restart your iPhone by holding the volume and power buttons until the power-off slider appears. Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then turn your phone back on.

Now reconnect to your vehicle from scratch.

If you're using a VPN on your iPhone, try disabling it before connecting to CarPlay. Several users discovered that VPN apps interfere with CarPlay connections in iOS 18. Go to Settings, General, VPN & Device Management, and turn off your VPN before using CarPlay.

Some users also reported success by resetting their network settings entirely. Go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This will erase saved WiFi passwords, so make sure you have them written down first.

Alternative Approaches That Actually Work

Since you can't restore the original popup notifications, here are the most practical alternatives.

The most effective workaround is using voice commands. When you hear the notification chime, say "Hey Siri, read my messages." Siri will display the message on your screen and read it aloud. You can then respond by voice if needed.

This requires getting comfortable with Siri, but it's less intrusive than automatic announcements and keeps your hands on the wheel.

Another option is setting up a Driving Focus mode. Go to Settings, then Focus, and create a custom Driving Focus. You can choose which contacts and apps can send you notifications during driving. This won't restore visual notifications, but it reduces unwanted distractions while keeping important ones.

Some vehicles let you disconnect from CarPlay entirely and use standard Bluetooth instead. When using regular Bluetooth, some vehicle systems still support message notifications through their native interfaces. You'll lose CarPlay's other features, but you'll regain message visibility if that's your priority.

This is obviously extreme and defeats the purpose of having CarPlay. But for drivers who absolutely need immediate message awareness, it's an option.

What Apple Wants You to Do

Apple support reps have been consistent in their messaging about how to address this issue.

They've told multiple users that the feature will only be reconsidered if a large number of customers submit feedback through Apple's official feedback portal at Apple.com/feedback.

Community forum posts don't count. Social media complaints don't count. Support calls are noted but don't directly influence product decisions.

Only formal feedback submissions through the official portal are tracked and used in product planning decisions.

If you want this feature restored, you need to submit detailed feedback explaining how the change affects your driving safety and daily workflow. Include specific examples of how the missing notifications create problems for you.

Be professional and helpful rather than simply complaining. Explain that you understand safety concerns but believe the implementation actually makes driving less safe by requiring more screen interaction.

Some users have organized efforts encouraging others to submit feedback, reasoning that volume matters. Whether this will actually influence Apple's decision remains to be seen, but it's currently the only official channel for expressing dissatisfaction.

The Broader CarPlay Ecosystem

This issue exists within a larger context of smartphone integration in vehicles.

CarPlay continues to be a major selling point for vehicles. Studies show that CarPlay users report notably higher satisfaction with in-vehicle infotainment systems compared to owners without smartphone integration. The satisfaction advantage is substantial – around 35 points on a 1,000-point scale.

As of 2025, about 40% of Americans who drive regularly have CarPlay or Android Auto in their primary vehicle. Among those with access, 83% actively use these platforms. That's millions of users potentially affected by this change.

The rapid adoption of iOS 18 makes the problem bigger. Within months of release, 76% of recent iPhones were running iOS 18. This means the issue reached tens of millions of users quickly, and they can't easily downgrade to previous iOS versions.

At Car Tech Studio, we've helped many drivers upgrade their vehicle's infotainment system with modern CarPlay capabilities. Options like wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto modules can provide enhanced connectivity features. Some users think this change might be related to broader notification system redesigns in iOS 18, including new Apple Intelligence features and notification summaries.

Understanding the Safety Debate

The safety argument generates real disagreement among drivers.

Supporters of Apple's decision argue that reducing visual distractions while driving aligns with research on driver distraction and accident prevention. Any reduction in notifications could improve focus on driving.

Critics counter that the implementation creates different safety problems rather than solving existing ones. They point out that forcing drivers to navigate multiple menu layers to check for messages requires more attention than a notification that appears and disappears automatically.

The fact that audio notifications remain unchanged undermines the stated hands-free objective. Drivers hear something happened but can't see what it was, creating curiosity that might prompt them to check manually at bad moments.

Professional drivers who depend on message awareness describe the change as operationally problematic and potentially unsafe. They need to know when communications arrive so they can address them at safe moments using voice commands or during stops.

What's missing from this debate is transparent safety research from Apple showing that removing visual notifications actually improves driving safety. Without peer-reviewed studies supporting the specific decision, users remain skeptical about the true motivation.

What You Can Expect Going Forward

Based on how Apple has handled this so far, here's what seems likely.

The feature probably won't return in current iOS 18 versions. Updates through iOS 18.4 have maintained the same behavior without restoration, suggesting this is Apple's intended direction rather than a temporary decision.

Whether iOS 19 or later versions might reintroduce notification options remains unknown. Apple rarely reverses major design decisions quickly, but sustained user dissatisfaction combined with competitive pressure from Android Auto could eventually influence their thinking.

The most realistic hope is that Apple might add a settings toggle allowing users to choose their preferred notification behavior. This would address safety concerns for those who want minimal distractions while serving users who value immediate message awareness.

For now, you'll need to adapt to the new reality by using voice commands more actively, enabling Siri announcements if you can tolerate them, or accepting that you'll manually check for messages during driving.

If message notification visibility is absolutely critical to your workflow and safety, you might consider whether CarPlay still serves your needs or if alternative solutions make more sense. At Car Tech Studio, we've seen many drivers find success upgrading to aftermarket head units with wireless CarPlay that offer more notification options.

My Recommendation for Different Types of Drivers

Your best approach depends on your specific driving patterns and communication needs.

If you're a casual driver who occasionally texts and doesn't need immediate awareness, stick with the current setup and use "Hey Siri, read my messages" when you hear notifications. This minimizes distraction while keeping you reasonably connected.

For professional drivers who depend on responsive communication, enable Siri message announcements despite the annoyance factor. Yes, it's intrusive, but it ensures you know when important messages arrive. You can customize Driving Focus to limit announcements to specific contacts if that helps.

If you find the entire situation unacceptable and message visibility is critical to your safety or business operations, consider reverting to standard Bluetooth connectivity and accepting the loss of other CarPlay features. This is drastic, but it's an option.

Everyone should submit feedback through Apple.com/feedback regardless of which workaround you choose. Describe your specific situation, explain safety concerns, and request either restoration of the feature or a settings toggle to choose your preferred behavior.

The more detailed and professional your feedback, the more likely it is to be taken seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Apple remove text message notifications from CarPlay in iOS 18?

Apple stated they removed the feature for safety reasons to encourage hands-free driving. However, many users question this justification since audio notifications still occur and the change arguably requires more screen interaction to check messages manually.

Can I get the old text notification behavior back?

No direct fix exists to restore the previous popup notifications. Your options are using Siri voice commands to read messages, enabling automatic Siri announcements, or submitting feedback to Apple requesting they restore the feature.

Does this affect all iPhones and all vehicles?

Yes, the change affects all iPhone models running iOS 18 (iPhone 12 through iPhone 16) and all vehicle brands with CarPlay connectivity. It's a system-wide change in iOS 18 itself rather than a device-specific or vehicle-specific issue.

Will downgrading to iOS 17 fix the problem?

Downgrading to iOS 17.7.1 does restore the previous notification behavior, as confirmed by users who tested this. However, downgrading requires technical knowledge, risks data loss, and means missing security updates and new features in iOS 18.

Why don't I see the Messages app in CarPlay at all?

If the Messages app is completely missing from CarPlay, check if you've enabled "Require Face ID" for the Messages app on your home screen. This security setting prevents the app from appearing in CarPlay. Disable it to restore Messages app visibility.

Do Android Auto users have the same problem?

No, Android Auto continues providing system-level message notification popups across different vehicle applications. This creates a competitive distinction where iPhone users experience downgraded message notification functionality compared to Android users.

What does Apple say when you contact support about this?

Apple support representatives confirm the change was intentional and direct users to submit feedback through Apple.com/feedback if they want the feature restored. Support staff indicate the feature will only be reconsidered if substantial customer feedback volume is received.

Are there any third-party apps that can restore message notifications?

No legitimate third-party apps can override iOS 18's CarPlay notification behavior. The restriction exists at the operating system level, and CarPlay's closed ecosystem prevents third-party developers from modifying core notification handling.