Over the past few years, the introduction of new features for CarPlay has been infrequent. However, with the launch of CarPlay Ultra and the various updates in iOS 26 for standard CarPlay, things have swiftly evolved. Here’s a look at what’s new in iOS 26, marking CarPlay’s most significant update in years.
## New ‘Liquid Glass’ design and wallpapers
This year, Apple’s redesign across platforms includes a new Liquid Glass aesthetic that extends to the car. This means that app icons and various UI components have all been refreshed, and you can personalize the appearance with different icon styles, selecting from Default, Dark, and Clear— the latter presenting several variations. Furthermore, CarPlay in iOS 26 gains a selection of new wallpapers inspired by the updated default iPhone wallpaper.
## Widgets in CarPlay
CarPlay widgets were initially introduced as part of Apple’s “next generation of CarPlay” initiative years ago. That newer version eventually became CarPlay Ultra, but fortunately, Apple is also incorporating widgets into the standard CarPlay experience. In iOS 26, your car can display widgets from any of the apps installed on your iPhone. Therefore, apps do not need to provide specific CarPlay support for you to access their widgets while on the move.
## Video in the car via AirPlay
Have you ever found yourself in the car with time to spare? CarPlay in iOS 26 enhances that experience by supporting video playback in the vehicle. When your car is parked, CarPlay will now allow you to watch videos on your vehicle’s display. This feature utilizes AirPlay technology, and third-party applications can create customized support. So, next time you’re charging your electric vehicle, waiting to collect a friend or family member, or in a similar scenario, CarPlay will be at your service.
## Live Activities
This year marks a significant evolution for Live Activities, a feature that was previously exclusive to the iPhone and Apple Watch. In addition to its introduction on the Mac and iPad through macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26, CarPlay now supports Live Activities as well. Essentially, any Live Activity running on your iPhone will now also be visible in CarPlay—ideal for tracking flights, sports scores, food deliveries, and more.
## Messages, Phone, Maps improvements
Apple has introduced a plethora of new features for system applications in iOS 26 that enhance CarPlay as well. Messages has finally introduced tapback support for your car. This well-liked Messages feature allows you to effortlessly add a thumbs up, heart, or other tapbacks to your friends’ messages. Pinned conversations are now available in the car as well. The Phone app undergoes a notable UI modification in iOS 26: incoming calls will no longer take over your entire screen but will instead display in a compact view, ensuring you don’t miss essential navigation information. Lastly, if your vehicle offers a multitouch display, Apple Maps enables you to interact with the map via multitouch for the first time.
CarPlay introduces a special ‘Smart Display Zoom’ feature in iOS 26 that offers greater flexibility in utilizing your limited screen space. Smart Display Zoom can allow you to fit a significantly larger amount of content on the screen simultaneously. Naturally, as items become smaller, they may become trickier to tap while driving. However, depending on your configuration, you may find the new layout options in CarPlay’s iOS 26 an enticing alternative. Additionally, CarPlay allows you to adjust text size to your preference, making it larger and easier to read if desired. Finally, iOS 26 gives you the option to enable or disable CarPlay screenshots.
## iOS 26’s new CarPlay features: wrap-up
This is shaping up to be a monumental year for CarPlay, initiating a robust ‘next generation’ for this long-standing user favorite. With all the new features being introduced in CarPlay, iOS 26 upgrades not just your iPhone—it represents a significant transformation for your vehicle as well.
