This autumn, iOS 26 rolls out a major design and feature overhaul for Apple CarPlay, adopting the system-wide “Liquid Glass” aesthetic. Think translucent panels, glass-like depth, and ultra-modern visuals—bringing CarPlay closer to what you see across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS.
✨ Cleaner, Less Distracting UI
- New mini pop-up calls and messages won’t block navigation—compact enough to keep your focus on the road.
- Integrated Live Activities, such as flight arrivals or sports scores, can stay pinned alongside your map view.
- Both light and dark modes dynamically match car interiors and time of day.
🧩 Widgets That Actually Matter
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- Customize your dashboard with CarPlay widgets—showing reminders, weather, music controls, and more.
- You can tweak and re-order widgets via the car’s knob or touchscreen, with clear iPhone-based previews.
🚘 CarPlay Ultra: All-In-On Your Dashboard
- CarPlay Ultra, now available in Aston Martin (DBX, Vantage, DB12, Vanquish), spans the entire instrument cluster, blending Apple and vehicle data (speed, tire pressure, gauge visuals).
- Official rollout begins this May—initially in the U.S. and Canada—with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis joining in 2026.
- Drivers can tweak themes, fonts, gauges, and wallpapers, and control climate, radio, performance modes via Siri or onboard controls.
🚀 Why This Matters Now
- iOS 26 marks Apple’s shift to year-based naming (iOS 26 = the year).
- All systems—from iPhone to Vision Pro—are unified under Liquid Glass, delivering transparency, fluidity, and responsive UIs.
- Public beta launches in July, with a full release expected in fall 2025.
- Apple is expanding its Apple Intelligence (AI) tools across platforms, enhancing CarPlay with smarter Siri and vehicle assistants.
🎯 TL;DR: What to Expect on the Road
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| New Liquid Glass UI | Clear, distraction-free interface |
| Mini pop-ups & Live Activities | Stay informed without losing navigation |
| Interactive widgets | Quick glance at calendar, music, etc. |
| CarPlay Ultra dashboards | Total control + car metrics integration |
| Custom themes & controls | Personalized look, Siri-enabled climate and more |
🔧 Pro Tips
- To test CarPlay widgets, update to iOS 26 beta, then adjust options under Settings ➝ General ➝ CarPlay ➝ [Your Car].
- Confirm your vehicle supports CarPlay Ultra—first available in Aston Martin (2025 models), expanding to others in 2026.
- CarPlay Ultra rollout may be region-restricted initially (US/Canada), so check with your automaker.
In Summary
With iOS 26 and CarPlay Ultra, Apple is not just refreshing CarPlay—they’re redefining in-car infotainment. Users will enjoy safer, smarter, and more visually cohesive car journeys, blending deep vehicle control with seamless Siri and AI integration.
