How Apple Just Made CarPlay Even Better
Apple is preparing to roll out a major update to its CarPlay software as part of the upcoming iOS 26 release.
Key Points
- Incoming calls and messages in CarPlay will now appear in compact banners instead of taking over the screen, minimizing distractions while driving.
- Users can now personalize the CarPlay home screen with widgets and access real-time updates like flight tracking via Live Activities.
- Debuting in future Aston Martin models, CarPlay Ultra integrates across both the infotainment and instrument cluster displays, adding deeper control over in-car functions.
The changes were previewed during Apple’s developer keynote earlier this week and should start showing up this fall. Among the most practical changes is how CarPlay handles interruptions like incoming phone calls and text messages.
Those actions will no longer take up he entire infotainment screen or obscure navigation directions—instead, call notifications and text messages will appear in a compact banner along the bottom of the display. Users will also be able to respond to messages using emoji reactions, known as Tapbacks, and pin specific contacts for easier access.
The interface itself has also been updated to match the visual style of iOS 26, adopting a more rounded and modern design.
Beyond aesthetics, the update introduces customizable widgets for regular CarPlay users and support for Apple’s Live Activities feature, allowing drivers to track real-time information like flight status directly from the CarPlay home screen. Apple says these changes aim to keep users “in the loop without losing focus on the road.”
These improvements extend to CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation version of the software that integrates more deeply with the vehicle’s onboard systems. First set to appear in upcoming Aston Martin models, CarPlay Ultra is functional across both the infotainment and digital gauge cluster displays, offering greater control over settings and layout.
The deeper integration also allows CarPlay to handle certain in-car functions directly, offering a more Apple-centric user experience inside the vehicle. Mainstream automakers, like Ford, Hyundai, and Kia are expected to add CarPlay Ultra functionality shortly.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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