Apple CarPlay Updated With Widgets & Enhanced Features With iOS 26

Apple updates CarPlay with widgets, Live Activities and streamlined messaging

Apple’s latest software update, iOS 26, is set to roll out this fall with notable upgrades to CarPlay, the company’s in-car infotainment system. Announced at WWDC 2025, these enhancements aim to bring more functionality and a refined user experience to drivers.

One of the standout features is the introduction of widgets and Live Activities on CarPlay. These tools, already familiar to iPhone users, will now be accessible directly on the car’s display. Widgets allow quick access to app information like calendar events or weather updates, while Live Activities deliver real-time updates, such as the progress of a food delivery or flight status. Significantly, developers won’t need to create separate versions—existing iPhone widgets and Live Activities will work seamlessly in CarPlay.

Aesthetic changes are also coming to the interface. Apple is bringing its Liquid Glass design to the CarPlay environment, offering a sleek, translucent visual that adapts to light and dark modes. These enhancements are designed to modernise the look of the system while maintaining a focus on clarity and minimal distraction.

Apple is also refining how notifications appear while driving. Incoming calls and messages will no longer dominate the entire display but instead be relegated to smaller areas on the screen, keeping navigation and driving information front and centre. Additionally, the update includes support for tapbacks—emoji-style quick reactions to messages—bringing a familiar iPhone messaging feature to the road.

While most vehicles that already support CarPlay will benefit from these features, the more advanced CarPlay Ultra experience remains limited for now, with Aston Martin being the only carmaker currently offering support.