Apple recently announced iOS 26, and the next software update includes many new features and modifications for Carplay in vehicles.
To try these features now, you will need to use an iOS 26 executing iPhone, which is currently available in the beta developer.
Below, we are recaping 10 upcoming changes in Carplay with iOS 26, which will probably be published to the general public in September.
Liquid glass design
When you use Carplay with an iPhone iOS 26, the new liquid glass design extends to the Carplay interface. As on the iPhone, the new look includes more shimmering application icons and translucent user interface elements.
Functions of applying new messages
Starting with iOS 26, you can respond to messages with standard tapbacks such as a heart, the boost or exclamation brands directly via Carplay.
Pinned conversations
You can now display your pinned conversations in the messages on carplay app.
Compact view for telephone calls
Carplay has a new compact view for incoming telephone calls, so that you can always see other information on the screen, such as turning instructions.
Live activities
The carplay dashboard screen can now show live activities, allowing you to keep track of things like the time of arrival of a flight at a glance.
Widgets
The regular version of Carplay now has a widget screen, for things like calendar meetings and HomeKit accessory controls.
Widgets were previously limited to Carplay Ultra.
Multi-touch cards
Starting with iOS 26, carplay users can interact with mapping applications using multi-touch gestures in supported vehicles. This allows users to zoom in and heal on the card with their fingers, just as they can on an iPhone.
Watch videos during the staunch
IPhone users will be able to wirelessly broadcast videos on the Carplay screen using AirPlay, according to Apple. For security reasons, video playback will only be available when the vehicle is parked to avoid driving distraction. The connected iPhone can detect when the vehicle is moving and ending the reading.
Car manufacturers must add this functionality management, it could therefore be limited to more recent vehicles and take a while to deploy.
Smart display zoom
IOS 26 adds a new smart display zoom parameter on Carplay.
When the parameter is activated, Carplay will be automatically resized to better adapt to the shape and size of the screen of the dashboard of your vehicle, if possible.
The images below show what Carplay looks like before and after the activation of the smart display zoom setting. With the activated setting, all the elements of the user interface become smaller, allowing an additional line of application icons to be adapted to the screen.
Accessibility characteristics
Carplay now supports the large text option that has long existed on iPhones, and sound recognition can now identify a baby crying inside a vehicle.
