--- title: "Updated iPhone iOS Can Help Decode Your Car’s Dashboard Warning Symbols" description: "iPhone's Visual Lookup function might be able to identify dashboard warning symbols after its new iOS 17 update." date: "2023-06-12" modified: "2023-06-12" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/updated-iphone-ios-can-help-decode-your-cars-dashboard-warning-symbols" categories: - "News" --- # Updated iPhone iOS Can Help Decode Your Car’s Dashboard Warning Symbols ![]() I'm pretty sure we've all had that moment where an unusual-looking [warning symbol]() pops up on your car's dashboard and you have no idea what it means. For folks that regularly wrench on cars, it's fairly easy to diagnose any issues or warning lights, and even when they can't, they know to either dig through the owner's manual or hit the forums to figure it out. However, not everyone knows to do those things, which can make anyone nervous when a new dashboard light pops up. Thankfully, as this [Reddit]() post details*[,]()* the upcoming [Apple iPhone]() iOS 17 update and its upgraded Visual Lookup function will be able to help. Most iPhones have had Visual Lookup since iOS 15, which allows you to use Siri's internet search capabilities to identify objects in photos and get info on them. For example, if you take a picture of a dog and want to know what breed it is, Visual Lookup can tell you. The new iOS update just expands that function to identify a wide variety of symbols and it can identify certain car dashboard symbols. So, for example, if you get a funky looking symbol that looks like an oil can with an exclamation point, the iPhone could be able to tell you what it's about. ![]() Using Visual Lookup is simple and it's already enabled on iPhones by default. All you need to do is use the iPhone camera to take a photo of the symbol. Then, open the photo in your Photos app and there should be an icon at the bottom of the screen that looks like an "i" in a circle, with some sparkles on it. Click that and a menu will appear that names the identified symbol, with a "Look Up" button. Press that button and another menu will appear with "Siri Knowledge" that shows what the symbol could be. This can be incredibly useful for the average, non-wrenching car owner. Heck, even those of us that do most of our own mechanic work can stand to benefit from it occasionally. There's no way for someone to know every unique warning light that comes up on every unique car, but thanks to this feature, it just got a lot easier. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()