CarPlay Evolves with iOS 26: All the New Features Explained

Apple CarPlay: 600 Million Daily Users

According to Apple, its CarPlay feature is being used worldwide 600 million times a day (except in some American vehicles). It has evolved from being a bonus feature for vehicle-owning iPhone users into an essential feature for car drivers with updates to the system coming with every major iOS rollout.

During its keynote at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in Cupertino, California, several updates were revealed for the newly minted iOS 26. An evolved version of the Apple CarPlay was also shown, and here’s a brief breakdown of every crucial new feature, including the brand-new CarPlay Ultra.

iOS 26 Upgrades: Smoother UI, Smarter Calls & Tapbacks

Chief among the Apple CarPlay updates that go with the iOS 26 is the system-wide refreshed visual design, featuring icons that adapt seamlessly to light and dark modes. Those who receive a call while on the road will see a compact display, allowing users to continue seeing screen content like navigation while taking calls.

Apple also introduced Tapbacks for messages, which are instant emoji-style reactions to messages, presumably so the driver won’t have to take their eyes off the road. Pinned conversations are also available for quick access while driving.

Meanwhile, Apple also added widgets to CarPlay, which are designed to be quick, glanceable, and informative without distracting the driver. These widgets also employ live updates to help drivers stay informed of important activities (e.g., a friend’s flight status), without losing focus on the tiller.

These Apple CarPlay updates are expected to go live as soon as iOS 26 rolls out to users this fall. The tech company didn’t disclose an exact date for the public launch of the new system, but a public beta is expected to roll out in July, according to reports.

CarPlay Ultra: The ‘Ultimate’ Dashboard Experience

Apart from the generic Apple CarPlay, the company also reintroduced CarPlay Ultra, which was announced last month. The new system is touted as the “ultimate” CarPlay experience, offering a unified, consistent interface across all driver-facing screens in the vehicle.

Customizable layout and design of dashboard information are among the key features of CarPlay Ultra, adding vehicle controls such as radio and climate settings directly within CarPlay. Apple said that this is just the beginning, as more features are coming for CarPlay Ultra.

Aston Martin vehicles were the first to get the CarPlay Ultra upgrade, with the DBX and Vantage, among others, getting first dibs on the feature. The tech giant said that it is collaborating with multiple auto brands to bring CarPlay Ultra to more cars, with the Hyundai Group reportedly next in line. Each system looks unique depending on the brand’s styling theme.