Apple has just introduced a massive iOS design overhaul with the iOS 26 update that brings in a new look and feel across all their mobile devices. Along with this update, Apple CarPlay has also been given the same treatment to improve its user experience while on four wheels.
The new CarPlay design carries over the new “Liquid Glass” design from its mobile devices. Apple calls it a “new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, bringing greater focus to content”. This new look makes content bubbles pop out more instead of the outgoing static 2D bubbles. The navigation bar on the right or left side of the screen is here to stay, allowing for easy access to frequently used apps.
More importantly, the update brings in added functionality with the support of new widgets functions. Drivers can now open multiple apps on the screen however they please through these widgets. For example, you can have the navigation running on one side while information from other apps, such as Spotify, messages, and more, are simultaneously displayed next to it.
Crucially, as the title suggests, the call menu has also received a much-needed update. Apple CarPlay now features a new compact view for incoming calls that display itself in the form of a pop-up notification. This allows drivers to see oncoming calls without blocking important information such as upcoming directions.
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These updates are also coming to Apple CarPlay Ultra, which recently debuted in the Aston Martin DBX. Unlike the standard version, CarPlay Ultra extends beyond the infotainment screen—it’s fully integrated into the vehicle’s digital instrument cluster, as seen in the DBX.
Drivers can customize elements like the speedometer and tachometer with different designs, themes, wallpapers, and colours. The system also supports iPhone-powered widgets directly within the cluster. Additionally, key vehicle functions such as climate control are also directly integrated into the interface.
Apple says that this new software update will be made available this fall (somewhere between September and November) for iPhone 11 models and later. So if you have an iPhone that was purchased in the past five years and a car with Apple CarPlay, you’re in for a treat!
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