# CarPlay in iOS 26: Features and Improvements
iOS 26 is poised to deliver numerous upgrades for CarPlay enthusiasts, presenting a revamped Liquid Glass aesthetic, widget support, and an innovative “AirPlay video in the car” feature that developers and vehicle manufacturers can incorporate. Among these advancements, a significant new element is the Smart Display Zoom functionality, engineered to enhance the CarPlay experience across assorted screen sizes and configurations found in vehicles.
## Smart Display Zoom
The Smart Display Zoom capability enables drivers to modify the display size of their CarPlay applications, improving usability on various infotainment screens. As stated by Apple, this feature can be adjusted within the CarPlay settings, allowing apps to automatically resize to match the new display scale once activated. Nonetheless, it is critical to mention that Smart Display Zoom is set to off by default in the initial iOS 26 beta and may not function on all automobiles, as its effectiveness is contingent on the size of the car’s infotainment screen.
### Availability and Configuration
Currently, Smart Display Zoom is still under development, and its definitive rollout may differ by the time iOS 26 is publicly accessible later this fall. Users can anticipate a more customized CarPlay experience as they adapt to the individual screen dimensions of their vehicles.
## Visual Comparisons
The subsequent sections offer visual comparisons of numerous CarPlay interface components with and without Smart Display Zoom activated. These screenshots were taken on a 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E, illustrating how the interface adjusts to varying display settings.
### CarPlay Dashboard
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### App Grid
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Messages App
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Now Playing in Music
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Home Tab in Music
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Now Playing in Podcasts
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Apple News App
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Apple Maps Route Picker
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Apple Maps Navigation
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Apple Maps Search
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

### Settings App
– **Default Zoom:**

– **Smart Display Zoom:**

## Conclusion
By launching Smart Display Zoom along with other enhancements in iOS 26, Apple strives to foster a more versatile and user-centric CarPlay experience. As development progresses, users can expect a more adaptable interface that accommodates the wide array of in-car displays currently available in contemporary vehicles.