Apple's iOS 26 update makes CarPlay smarter, sleeker, and a lot more useful
From a Liquid Glass redesign to widgets, live updates, and even video streaming (when parked), CarPlay is getting its biggest set of upgrades in years with iOS 26.
Apple's CarPlay basically allows iPhone users to sync their smartphones to the infotainment system of their cars. This super convenient feature grants cars most of your iPhone's capabilities.
Now, iOS 26 is coming to your iPhone. Luckily, you don't have to make any changes or updates from within your vehicle's settings to get the benefits of iOS 26. The only thing you have to do to enjoy the latest CarPlay features from Apple is to update your iPhone to iOS 26 when the new OS becomes available. Of course, you have to have a supported iPhone for this.
Once you update your iPhone, your CarPlay will automatically adjust to the new operating system when you connect to your car. Luckily, you don't have to do anything specific for your vehicle or CarPlay to take advantage of the new features.
CarPlay features coming with iOS 26
CarPlay with iOS 26. | Image Credit - Apple
iOS 26 is one major update. So expect things to look quite different in CarPlay as well. The CarPlay appearance will match the new Liquid Glass theme, and available widgets, features, and apps are changing.
Now, with Liquid Glass, the CarPlay's aesthetic becomes sleeker and more modern. There will be transparent design elements sprinkled across the OS that will match your iPhone and other Apple devices' software.
Meanwhile, widgets, which are a feature that was previously a CarPlay Ultra exclusive, are now making their way to regular CarPlay. This pretty much means that you can have your calendar, weather info, smart home controls, and reminders easily accessible from your vehicle's infotainment system in the form of glanceable widgets.
Widgets in CarPlay with iOS 26. | Image Credit - Apple
But that's not all! There's also live activity support now. Basically, this allows you to see real-time updates in CarPlay. Those can be sports scores, flight or package delivery tracking, etc, and now these can be displayed on your car infotainment system.
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What new CarPlay feature are you most excited about in iOS 26?
The sleek new Liquid Glass design
12.5%
Widgets finally coming to CarPlay
37.5%
Live activities with real-time updates
0%
Video streaming when parked
37.5%
None of the above / I don’t use CarPlay
12.5%
iOS 26 also brings video streaming to CarPlay, which is amazing, actually. Video streaming would be accessible via AirPlay from your car's screen, of course, once you've updated your iPhone to iOS 26.
Of course, Apple doesn't want you to do something dangerous in your car while streaming video. To prevent video streaming from taking your attention away from the road, video content will be available to stream via AirPlay only when your vehicle is parked.
Additionally, brands have to support AirPlay streaming in their cars for this feature to work, so it depends on the model of your car as well. So, if your car doesn't support AirPlay streaming and the car maker isn't providing an update to add this capability to your vehicle, you won't be able to take advantage of this feature, unfortunately.
I think that these new CarPlay software updates are amazing. In general, iOS 26 is an exciting software update, and I can't wait to install it on my iPhone. It's the new look I'm mostly looking forward to, but the other updates all around the operating system are not to be underestimated either.
And with these CarPlay changes, I think iOS 26 is definitely worth updating to.
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Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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