iOS 26 to Bring Six CarPlay Upgrades: Key Details Revealed

Apple's CarPlay receives significant enhancements with the introduction of iOS 26. Here's a breakdown of the improvements.

, and Administrator

2025 September 18 . 8:10 AM

2 min read

Upcoming CarPlay enhancements with iOS 26 - Essential information you should be aware of

iOS 26 to Bring Six CarPlay Upgrades: Key Details Revealed

In a recent announcement, Apple unveiled the new iteration of its operating software, iOS 26, which features significant updates to CarPlay. Alongside this, Apple has announced the release of CarPlay Ultra, a more advanced version of the in-car infotainment system.

One of the most notable changes in CarPlay with iOS 26 is the introduction of widgets. Users can now create widgets for any of their iPhone's apps, allowing for a more personalised and streamlined experience while driving.

The unified Liquid Glass interface now extends to vehicles with CarPlay Ultra, offering a sleek and customisable design. This interface is customisable with new appearance modes: Default, Dark, and Clear, with several variants of the Clear appearance. Users can also customise the backdrop with new wallpapers.

Maps gets the most improvements in iOS 26, with multitouch support for vehicles with multitouch displays. This update allows for easier navigation and a more intuitive user experience.

Another useful addition is the tapback feature in Messages, allowing users to quickly select a response without speaking aloud. Live Activities, such as sports scores or flight tracking, will now display on CarPlay, keeping users updated on important events.

For drivers' convenience, users can now resize text on CarPlay for easier reading. The Phone app now appears in a compact widget instead of taking over the whole display when taking or making calls.

CarPlay now offers a new feature called "Smart Display Zoom", allowing users to customise the display to fit more content or operate it more intuitively. This feature is designed to help drivers focus more on the road.

The new CarPlay Ultra also includes deeper vehicle integration features, with major automotive brands like BMW, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz announcing plans to integrate CarPlay Ultra into their future models.

A notable feature in both CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is the ability to stream videos in cars using third-party apps like YouTube or AirPlay when the vehicle is set in park. This update could be beneficial for parents waiting in parking lots.

Lastly, CarPlay screenshots are now customisable, allowing users to personalise their in-car experience even further.

iOS 26 does not include any advertisements in the excerpt provided. Live Activities, previously introduced to the iPhone and Apple Watch with iOS 16, are now coming to CarPlay, macOS Tahoe, and iPadOS 26.

John Velasco, a colleague, tested the new Liquid Glass interface and found that he prefers it in CarPlay rather than on his iPhone. These updates to CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra aim to provide a more seamless and enjoyable driving experience for users.