Apple just launched iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 with major CarPlay upgrades.
Widgets and live activities are coming to CarPlay. Users can now pick “tapback” replies for messages and pin favorite conversations, just like iMessage.
Incoming calls won’t hijack the whole CarPlay screen anymore. Calls will appear small at the bottom, so navigation stays visible during calls.
CarPlay gets a visual refresh with Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design language. These changes roll out on the new CarPlay Ultra launched this May.
More details will emerge as Apple meets with developers in the days ahead.
