iOS 26 Will Radically Reshape the Look and Feel of Apple CarPlay. Learn All the New Free Features Coming Soon
Originally called "iOS in the Car," Apple's CarPlay has come a long way in the last decade. It now supports iPhone connections for more than 800 different models of cars and motorcycles. It's also about to go through a massive redesign with a bevy of new features.
Apple is updating the CarPlay experience with the newly revealed iOS 26. Apple announced the changes during its annual WWDC event in Cupertino, California, on June 9.
Apple's iPhone-compatible automobile operating system is used more than 600 million times per day, according to the tech giant. The entire CarPlay system is getting a refresh, including icons in light and dark modes, widgets to give you "quick and glanceable ways to get information" while you're on the move and live activities like flight statuses.
WWDC 2025: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes WWDC 2025: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes
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WWDC 2025: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes
"We've also added new features to help keep you connected while driving, like a compact design when you get a call, so you can still see what's on the screen, like your upcoming directions, along with tap backs and pinned conversations in messages," Apple's Emily Schubert said during the WWDC keynote.
There are also now vehicle controls in Apple CarPlay, including radio and climate controls.
You can use Apple CarPlay to control the climate in your car.
Screenshot by CNET
Footage from Apple during the keynote also showed you can send emoji reactions to messages while on the go, without navigating away from your driving directions. You can also see things like calendar reminders and smart home controls in widgets on the side of the display.
Apple launched CarPlay Ultra last month, bringing more customized features for automakers to include.
"It provides information for all of the driver's screens, including real-time content and gauges in the instrument cluster, while reflecting the automaker's look and feel and offering drivers a customizable experience," Apple said in a blog post in May.
All the new CarPlay features coming in iOS 26
Here's a roundup of the major new features that will be added to CarPlay with the launch of iOS 26.
Liquid Glass design
Just like an iPhone with iOS 26, CarPlay will get the same translucent design overhaul Apple is calling Liquid Glass, with buttons that add a feel of depth. CarPlay icons may not have the same moving effect as on your iPhone, but they'll have the same shiny, glass-like appearance.
Compact view
One of the most welcome new features of CarPlay with iOS 26 is a new view that doesn't interrupt your navigation when phone calls arrive. Instead of taking over the whole screen, incoming calls will now appear in a smaller windows at the bottom, so you'll be able to see turn-by-turn directions.
During navigation, phone calls will now pop-up in a much smaller window at the bottom of the display.
Apple/Screenshot by Joe Maldonado/CNET
New features in Messages
Messages on CarPlay with iOS 26 will add the ability to respond with tapbacks like thumbs up, thumbs down, a heart or exclamation marks. It will also let you pin messages to the top of the interface.
New incidents to report in Maps
Maps will soon add three new incident types to report in CarPlay. Along with the existing accidents, speed checks and hazards, the iOS 26 update will also include roadwork, road closures and traffic.
Video streaming while parked
The new CarPlay with iOS 26 will let your stream videos to your car's screen from your iPhone using AirPlay. As soon as your car starts moving, the feature should be disabled. Whether or not you'll be able to stream video may depend on your car model.
Live Activities and widgets
New Live Activities in CarPlay will provide real-time information while you drive.
Apple/Screenshot by Joe Maldonado/CNET
Using CarPlay with iOS 26, the same widgets you have on your iPhone should work in your car. Widgets are currently only availble via Apple's premium version of the service, CarPlay Ultra. You'll also soon be able to see real-time updates and info from Live Activities like flight trackers.
Smart Display Zoom
When this new feature is enabled in CarPlay with iOS 26, the CarPlay interface will be automatically resized to best use the available screen space, no matter its size. For example a smaller screen will reduce the size of the icons so that two rows of app icons can fit properly.
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