Apple’s iOS 26 brings a major upgrade to CarPlay, making it smarter, sleeker, and more functional than ever. With the new Liquid Glass design, CarPlay now features transparent elements that match the modern aesthetics of iPhone and other Apple devices. Widgets, previously exclusive to CarPlay Ultra, are now available to all users, allowing easy access to calendars, weather, smart home controls, and reminders directly from the car’s infotainment system.
Live activity support is another key addition, enabling real-time updates such as sports scores, flight tracking, and package deliveries to appear on the car display. Video streaming is also now possible via AirPlay, but only when the vehicle is parked to ensure driver safety. However, this feature requires car brands to support AirPlay streaming in their systems.
Overall, iOS 26 significantly enhances the CarPlay experience with a combination of design, functionality, and safety-focused features. Users only need to update their iPhones to the new OS to enjoy these upgrades, as CarPlay will automatically adapt to the improvements. For iPhone owners, iOS 26 makes CarPlay more useful, visually appealing, and integrated into the broader Apple ecosystem.
