CarPlay has received few new functions in recent years, but iOS 26 will change that in the coming month.
CarPlay in iOS 26
When iOS 26 appears the following month, it also has consequences for CarPlay. These are the changes you can expect.
‘Liquid Glass’ and new wallpapers
The new Liquid Glass-DESIGN OF IOS 26 you will see everywhere, so also in the car. This means that app icons and buttons get a fresh new design. You can choose from standard, dark and clear. In addition, CarPlay gets a series of new backgrounds based on the new standard iPhone background in iOS 26.
Widgets
Years ago, CarPlay-Widgets were announced as part of the next generation CarPlay. That eventually became CarPlay Ultra, but luckily Apple also brings the widgets to the regular CarPlay.
In iOS 26 your car can display all widgets of the installed apps on your iPhone. Apps do not even have to offer special CarPlay support to be able to use their widgets en route.
Video via AirPlay
Video in the car is also possible with CarPlay in iOS 26. When your car is parked, you can watch videos on the screen of your car with CarPlay. The function uses AirPlay and third -party apps can offer adapted support.
Live activities
It is an important year for live activities, the function that was previously exclusively for the iPhone and Apple Watch. In addition to the introduction to the Mac and iPad in Macos Tahoe and iPados 26, CarPlay now also supports live activities.
In principle, everything that runs on your iPhone in live activities is now also displayed in CarPlay. Ideal for following flights, sports results, meal delivery and much more.
Improvements for the messages, telephone and card app
In iOS 26, Apple has a lot of new functions in store for the system apps, from which CarPlay will also benefit. Here are a few specific updates for the apps messages, telephone and cards.
- To inform Finally offers support for tapback in your car. This allows you to quickly and easily add a thumb up, a heart or another tapback to the messages from your friends. Second conversations are now also supported in the car.
- In the app Telephone Incoming calls no longer take your entire screen, but appear in a compact display, so that you do not miss important navigation information.
- And if your car has a multitouch display, you can get in Maps Working with Multitouch for the first time.
Adjustment options
In iOS 26, CarPlay gets a special ‘Smart Display Zoom’ function, with which you can display considerably more content on the screen at the same time. Of course, the smaller things become, the more difficult it can be to tap them while driving. In the same way you can enlarge the text as desired, so that it is easier to read. Finally, in iOS 26 you can decide for yourself whether you want to switch CarPlay screenshots on or off.
iOS 26 will be available in September
Apple releases iOS 26 in September, after the release of the iPhone 17. It is expected that iOS 26 Monday, September 15, 2025 is available for all users, provided that the iPhone has support for the update. Read here which iPhones can update to iOS 26!
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