iOS 26 CarPlay Upgrades: Liquid Glass, Widgets & New Apps

Apple’s iOS 26 update transforms CarPlay into a more intuitive and visually striking driving companion, introducing Liquid Glass design elements, iPhone widgets, and enhanced app functionality. The 2025 upgrade delivers a polished experience that works across vehicle models, proving premium features aren’t exclusive to luxury cars.

Liquid Glass brings Apple’s signature aesthetic to the dashboard with three distinct icon styles: Default, Dark, and the standout Clear option. The translucent Clear Dark variant offers particularly sleek visuals, adapting to lighting conditions while maintaining readability. Interface elements now flow with the same fluidity seen on iPhones, creating a cohesive look across Apple’s ecosystem.

For the first time, iPhone widgets appear directly on CarPlay displays, even for apps without dedicated CarPlay versions. These mirror the appearance of StandBy widgets, organized into customizable stacks accessible through iPhone settings. Drivers can toggle specific widgets, adjust wallpaper preferences, and manage rotation settings, all while keeping their focus on the road. Wider screens support multiple widget stacks, though most systems will default to a single view.

The home screen layout gets a thoughtful reorganization:

• Widgets dominate the first screen
• Dashboard (now with Live Activities) shifts to the second position
• The traditional app grid begins on the third page, expanding as needed

Live Activities integrate seamlessly into Dashboard, appearing as compact tiles in the lower right corner during navigation or food delivery updates. Though screenshot functionality requires manual activation in Settings, the feature captures these dynamic interactions for later review.

Beyond aesthetics, iOS 26 enhances core apps:

• Music adopts the iPhone’s navigation structure
• Messages gains Tapback reactions and pinned conversations
• A compact call interface prevents interruptions during navigation

CarPlay Ultra, showcased here in an Aston Martin, demonstrates how these refinements scale across high-end displays. With over 600 million daily users, CarPlay continues evolving as Apple’s solution for staying connected without compromising safety. The update proves that whether you’re commuting in an electric motorcycle or a performance vehicle, iOS 26 makes every drive smarter and more visually engaging.

Additional imagery reveals how these changes adapt to various screen sizes, from compact dashboards to panoramic displays. The consistent design language ensures familiarity, while new features like widget stacks and Live Activities add meaningful utility.

For drivers eager to personalize their experience, the Settings app provides granular control over widget behavior, wallpaper visibility, and screenshot permissions. These options, combined with the Liquid Glass overhaul, make iOS 26’s CarPlay update one of Apple’s most significant yet.

(Source: 9to5 Mac)