Apple Announces CarPlay Updates With Widgets, Live Activities, and More

Apple today unveiled an update coming to CarPlay, which will support the company's new "Liquid Glass" design to align with updates coming to iOS 26 later this year.

Apple WWDC25 iOS 26 CarPlay Tapbacks 250609 big
Apple said that the new design includes a new compact view for incoming calls that allows users to see who's calling without blocking key information like upcoming directions.

Apple is also introducing the ability to quickly send Tapbacks and pinned conversations in Messages, as well as support for Widgets and Live Activities. All of these updates are also coming to ‌CarPlay‌ Ultra.

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Top Rated Comments

BelgianChoklit Avatar
7 weeks ago
Why do they need to use cars that only people who eat gold and have flying ponies can afford for their demos. I mean it might be understandable for Car PlayUltra considering it's only on Aston Martin for now, but CarPlay 2 is basically what's going to replace the CarPlay version, which is on normal human being's vehicles.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jblank Avatar
7 weeks ago
Please, just give us a weather radar and a weather alerts notification. Please?!?!?!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dominiongamma Avatar
7 weeks ago

I love this. Just wish that Tesla would get over themselves and allow CarPlay. It’s the biggest annoyance in my car. At least my ford has it.
I wouldn’t buy any car without it, I’m shock people will buy cars without it
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carlson-online Avatar
7 weeks ago
O just want to be able to see the weather forecast.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
7 weeks ago
I feel so relieved that Apple believes Aston Martins and Mustangs are what we’ll all be driving.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MNWildFan Avatar
7 weeks ago
Ok, the fact that it took this long to finally have an active phone call not take up the whole screen is astounding; but hey, at least it's finally a thing

Now gone will be the days of me having to tap out of the phone call to see my map and such again while I'm on a call
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)