Apple is giving CarPlay a solid upgrade this fall, and if you spend time behind the wheel, you’ll want to know what’s changing.
During its WWDC 2025 event, Apple pulled the curtain back on iOS 26 — and along with it, some pretty exciting CarPlay features. From a fresh interface to helpful widgets and deeper car integration, this update is about making driving safer, smarter, and more connected.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming.
A Cleaner, Smarter CarPlay Design
One of the first things you’ll notice is the updated CarPlay look. It’s cleaner, more polished, and easier to use while driving.
Apple has trimmed down how notifications appear so they don’t take over your screen — helpful when you’re mid-route and need to see your directions. The overall design also plays nicer with both light and dark modes, which means your dashboard will look great day or night.
So while it’s a subtle change, it goes a long way in keeping your focus where it should be — on the road.
Widgets Are Coming to Your Car Screen
If you love widgets on your iPhone, you’ll be glad to know they’re finally making their way to CarPlay.
Now, you can check the weather, view calendar events, or even monitor your smart home setup right from your car’s display. Apple’s also rolling out live activity tracking, which means things like a friend’s incoming flight or a rideshare arrival time can appear on your dashboard in real time.
No more toggling apps or reaching for your phone — it’s all just there, in one glance.
CarPlay Ultra: A Whole New Level of Integration
Here’s the real head-turner: CarPlay Ultra.
It’s Apple’s newest move to make your car feel more like an extension of your iPhone. With CarPlay Ultra, not only can you control things through your car’s central touchscreen, but the system also syncs with your dashboard — giving you a fully connected driving setup.
Right now, it’s only available in new Aston Martin models shipping in the U.S. and Canada. But Apple says other automakers are lining up to add it, including Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, and Ford.
In short, this could be the start of a big leap in how our phones and cars work together.
Want to Try iOS 26 Early?
If you’re the type who likes to try new things before everyone else, you can sign up for the developer beta of iOS 26. Just keep in mind: it’s early access, and some bugs might still need ironing out.
Also, not every iPhone will support the update — so check your model before installing.
What This Means for Drivers
Here’s the quick version:
- CarPlay is getting a fresh, modern design that’s easier on the eyes and less distracting.
- You’ll be able to add widgets to your car’s screen for info you check often — like weather and reminders.
- CarPlay Ultra offers deeper integration with select vehicles, giving you full-screen dashboard controls.
Apple clearly wants to make CarPlay more than just a navigation and music tool. These updates show that the company is thinking seriously about the future of in-car tech.
And honestly? It’s looking pretty good.