Upcoming iOS Innovations: Enhanced Messaging, Apple Music Upgrades, and Beyond in 2024

2024 is just a few days away, and there are many iOS 17 and iOS 18 features that are expected to launch throughout the year. Below, we have recapped new iOS features expected in 2024, including Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, AirPlay on hotel room TVs, app sideloading in the EU, next-generation CarPlay, roadside assistance via satellite outside of the U.S., RCS support in the Messages app, and generative AI for Siri.

Stolen Device Protection is Apple’s hopeful solution to the problem of thieves spying on an iPhone user’s passcode before stealing the device. The feature adds an additional layer of security by strictly requiring Face ID or Touch ID authentication for certain actions, such as accessing passwords, turning off Lost Mode, erasing content and settings, and more. There is also a one-hour security delay for sensitive actions, and the feature is available for all iPhones compatible with iOS 17.

Apple Music subscribers will soon get a new feature called Collaborative Playlists, which allows multiple people to add, reorder, and remove songs in a shared playlist. Users will also be able to leave animated emoji reactions next to songs in the playlist.

The AirPlay feature for hotel room TVs has been delayed until 2024. It will allow iPhone users to establish an AirPlay connection with their hotel room TV by scanning a QR code. This will enable them to wirelessly stream videos, photos, and music from their iPhone to the TV. IHG Hotels & Resorts will be one of the first hotel chains to adopt this feature.

App sideloading, allowing users to install apps outside of the App Store, is expected to roll out in the EU in the first half of 2024. This change is being made to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.

The next-generation CarPlay system will be available in some vehicles in 2024. It promises deeper integration with the instrument cluster and climate controls, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, a dedicated FM radio app, widgets, and more. Aston Martin has confirmed that it will release its first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay in 2024.

Starting with iOS 17, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models offer a roadside assistance via satellite feature in the U.S. This feature allows users to contact roadside assistance company AAA for vehicle service when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. It is expected to expand to additional countries in 2024.

RCS support is coming to the Messages app on the iPhone in an iOS 18 update. This will bring improvements such as higher-resolution photos and videos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices, and improved group chats.

In iOS 18, Siri and the Messages app are expected to feature generative AI technology that can field questions and auto-complete sentences. Apple plans to incorporate large language models into Siri to let users automate complex tasks, involving deeper integration with the Shortcuts app.

These are just some of the new iOS features expected in 2024. Apple will provide additional information about these features as they are released throughout the year.