No text message popups on CarPlay with iOS 18

I no longer get pop ups for incoming text messages but do hear the chime. I didn't get a new phone and haven't changed anything. It just seemed to start happening after the auto update occurred giving me iOS 18.1.1 (whether I am connected to carplay or not). I am very frustrated by this and want this feature back to up and running. How do I fix this? Hey Apple, someone look into this and fix it! HELP!

Me too. It seems to "work" like the previous phones if my car radio is actually displaying the Apple user interface. If it is displaying the radio, I can hear the chime notification but not the pop up. Pop up works only if in CarPlay. Somebody broke something.

I was told today by an Apple Senior Advisor that the CarPlay text pop up box was REMOVED with the 18 update. It’s not a bug or something awaiting a fix, it’s gone. Supposedly something about making everyone completely hands free. He said features can be brought back if enough users ask for it. All requests however, must go through the Apple.com/feedback page to be counted. So go forth and ask! apple.com/feedback There is not an option for CarPlay so the rep I spoke to said put it under iPhone.

Me too. I get the text pop up if I’m actually on the CarPlay screen, but not when I’m on other screens or apps like I did before the 18.1 and .2 updates. Nothing I’ve tried has worked.

After the last update to 18.2 I no longer get on screen pop ups and only get verbal read backs with no way offered to reply verbally or on screen as before. Both my Cadillac 2023 XT5 and my 2021 C8 Corvette worked perfectly before. Both have the same infotainment system. Missouri just enacted a total hands free law on January 1 2025 with enforcement.

Happy New Year Apple!!

Thanks for posting this about Apple CarPlay and the text messaging feature! I was racking my brain trying to figure out why it didn't work! I just upgraded my phone and could not understand why it didn't work? Apple users need to follow your advise and let Apple know we want this feature back!

Any luck with this? I am having the same issue. I notice the issue iphone 16 doesn’t have “show in CarPlay”

This is ridiculous to have had happen to apple owners that want this feature, it needs fixed. Super frustrated

I wish I’d know before I removed and re-added CarPlay, then checked every related setting. Arrrrgh!

Just another case of "fixing" something that isn't broke!

With iOS 18.1.1, I am now getting the message chime and preview to show up in CarPlay while I'm using some apps. For example, while the map was being displayed, I noticed that I got the message notification and the usual options to have it read to me and whether or not I wanted to reply. I use three different mapping apps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze), so now I'm going to have to pay more attention to see which app(s) allows messages to come through. And if there are any other apps that seem to allow messages.

UPDATE: I installed iOS 18.2 this afternoon, so I'll also see if that changes anything for me.

If what the Senior Advisor told you is true, it's nonsensical. The Messages app is still listed as a CarPlay app and when it's installed, you still receive all your messages; there's just no pop-up alert to allow you and to have those read aloud to you with one finger press.

BUT, you can use your finger to navigate to the Messages app (often involving several taps and swipes), going to the message you want to hear (maybe with tap and/or swipe), and then tapping on that message. Then, tap and swipe back to the screen you were on before reading the message. All this while your eyes are on the infortainment screen and not on the road. That's somehow more safe than the previous functionality that Apple removed? They'll probably figure this out and either remove the Message app entirely from CarPlay or revert back to the previous functionality.

I've installed iOS 18.1, but still experiencing the same problem as described.