WWDC 2025: Apple CarPlay to Get These New Features from Later This Year

Great news for tech and auto enthusiasts! Apple has officially previewed iOS 26 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). While the iOS experience you know remains intact, everything now feels sleeker, smarter, and more polished. CarPlay, in particular, gets a serious glow-up with Apple’s new 'Liquid Glass' look. This new screen makes your apps look more colourful and responsive, and it adjusts for light or dark modes. It also offers a more unified experience, enhancing both aesthetics and usability behind the wheel. Here's everything you need to know about the biggest Apple CarPlay changes with the new iOS 26.

Apple CarPlay Updates: What's More?

One of the standout improvements is the introduction of a smart compact view for incoming calls. Instead of the traditional full-screen takeover, calls now appear as a sleek banner at the top, allowing users to easily see who’s calling without losing sight of critical on-screen information. This is particularly beneficial when using navigation apps, as it prevents important details like upcoming turns or directions from being obscured. By prioritising seamless multitasking, Apple enhances the overall user experience, helping drivers stay focused and connected without unnecessary interruptions.

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iOS 26 has enhanced the messaging experience in CarPlay by introducing Tapbacks and pinned conversations. With these new features, users can now pin their most important chats for quick access while on the road, making it easier to stay connected without distractions. Additionally, Tapbacks allow for swift, expressive replies.

A major highlight of iOS 26 is the arrival of Widgets on CarPlay, giving drivers quick access to vital info like reminders, weather forecasts, and smart home updates right from the dashboard. This makes it simpler to glance at important details without distractions. On top of that, CarPlay now supports live activities, enabling real-time updates.

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Notably, Apple has confirmed that these exciting new CarPlay updates will also be available on CarPlay Ultra, the advanced infotainment system recently introduced in Aston Martin cars. It will be rolled out to cars from other automakers also. However, there is no exact information on the launch timeline.