Apple CarPlay is making change all drivers have been asking for with new iOS 26 update

Apple CarPlay is getting a refresh thanks to the new iOS 26 update and has made one change plenty of drivers will be happy to see.

The tech giant has recently unveiled its latest operating system, iOS 26, which will be updating iPhones, iPads, and CarPlay.

The new iOS includes several big changes to how CarPlay works as well as how it looks. 

Here’s what you can expect to find on the new iOS when it lands later this year.

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At the center of Apple’s operating system update is a new visual element called Liquid Glass: a translucent, responsive material that adapts to your content and surroundings.

As well as being introduced on iPhones and iPads, Liquid Glass will also come to CarPlay and give it a more polished, modern look. 

You’ll also be able to customize how the screen looks with widgets.

Previously, only Apple CarPlay Ultra user had access to adjustable widgets, but the new operating system allows anyone to change up their home screen. 

You can drop things like your calendar, smart home functions, and more onto your home screen, making them easier to access. 

Apple is also introducing a Live Activities function, which will allow you to use Maps while also keeping an eye on other activities as they happen.

For example, if you’re driving to the airport to pick up a pal, you can use Maps while being able to track their flight in real time. 

The new iOS will also make it quicker and easier to respond to text messages.

As iPhone users know, you can respond to a message with a ‘thumbs-up’ or ‘heart’ Tapback response.

Now, that functionality is being brought to CarPlay. When a new message is received, a pop-up will appear on the screen with the same responses, including the heart, thumbs-up, and thumbs-down, making it super speedy to send a simple response. 

Alongside those updates, Apple CarPlay will now have a compact view for calls – something that is sure to be welcomed by CarPlay users.

Currently, if you’re using CarPlay and a call comes in, the active call takes over the entire screen, which isn’t ideal if you need to use Maps, or even if you just want to skip the song you’re listening to. 

iOS 26 will fix that by introducing Compact View for calls, which puts a much smaller call bar at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to use the rest of the screen and its functions as normal. 

Meanwhile, CarPlay Ultra has recently announced it will be bringing its most advanced in-car software ever exclusively to Aston Martin vehicles. 

Apple says brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis will join soon, but for now it’s only select Aston Martin models that have access. 

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