Apple revamps CarPlay in iOS 26 with sleek Liquid Glass design, new widgets, Live Activities, Tapbacks, and more for an enhanced in-car experience.
A Whole New Look for CarPlay in iOS 26
With the release of iOS 26, Apple isn’t just refreshing your iPhone, it’s giving your car’s dashboard a serious upgrade too.
CarPlay, along with the next-gen CarPlay Ultra, is getting a fresh coat of digital paint and some cool new features that’ll make your drives a bit smarter and more stylish.
The headline change? The Liquid Glass UI, Apple’s new visual design that’s been popping up across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and now CarPlay. It’s sleek, glossy, and just subtle enough to feel modern without being distracting while driving. It brings more depth and smooth transitions to the interface, making your car’s display feel a lot more premium.
Related: iOS 26 Beta 1, iPadOS 26 Beta 1 OTA Update: How to Download and Install
Widgets, Tapbacks & Smarter Messages on the Road
One of the most practical changes is the introduction of widgets on CarPlay. Want to glance at your calendar or control your smart home gear while waiting at a red light? Now you can. These glanceable widgets bring helpful info front and center without needing to dig through menus.
Tapbacks in Messages are also coming to CarPlay, so you can quickly react to texts with a thumbs up or heart, just like on your iPhone.
Pinned Conversations are another nice addition, now your favorite contacts are just a tap away.
Live Activities & CarPlay Ultra Updates
Live Activities, like your Uber ride status or food delivery updates, will now show up on your CarPlay home screen, keeping you in the loop while on the go.
And yes, CarPlay Ultra users aren’t left out. In addition to all the features mentioned above, they’ll also see the new Liquid Glass UI, giving the ultra-premium CarPlay experience a modern edge.
iOS 26 makes CarPlay feel more connected, more intelligent, and better looking than ever. If your daily drive is part of your routine, this update is going to make your car feel like an extension of your iPhone in all the right ways.
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