CarPlay in iOS 26: Three new features are coming to your car

1 month ago 2

iOS 26 will pack a lot of changes and new features. But the new software won’t just improve the experience of using your iPhone. There are new features coming to CarPlay too, powered by the latest iOS 26 update. Here are three new CarPlay features on the way soon.

#1: Brand new design

If you’ve been keeping up with iOS 26 rumors, you probably know that a major software redesign is coming. And in a rare move, Apple is planning to bring its brand new design to not only iOS, but also macOS, watchOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and more.

Even CarPlay is expected to get the new look.

Despite being arguably one of Apple’s more neglected platforms, CarPlay’s design will be revamped in iOS 26 to align with all of the company’s other software.

What will this look like in practice? Likely we’ll get some redesigned app icons and more glassy, transparent UI elements.

#2: Larger text option

A new customization feature is coming to CarPlay in iOS 26: you’ll be able to resize text to be larger and easier to read.

Apple’s mockup above, which doesn’t incorporate the new design elements, shows how larger text could go a long way toward making the CarPlay interface easier to read at a glance.

#3: Sound Recognition update

Reddit controversy | Apple accessibility graphic

CarPlay already offers Sound Recognition for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. This accessibility feature lets drivers and passengers alike be alerted when there are sounds outside the car they should be aware of, such as sirens or horns.

In iOS 26, CarPlay will expand this feature with a new recognized sound: crying babies. Since for safety reasons, caregivers are advised to have babies ride in the back seat where visibility isn’t always great, soon CarPlay will be able to notify users about detected crying.

Wildcard: New CarPlay Ultra reveals

Last month, the “next generation of CarPlay” officially shipped after years of waiting. The new CarPlay Ultra actually proved to be good news for standard CarPlay users, since it wasn’t a replacement for CarPlay but rather a separate, premium tier of features.

Now that CarPlay Ultra is out in the world, WWDC will be Apple’s best opportunity to share updates on the features and progress of the new system. Here’s hoping we get some fresh tidbits on what’s in the works.

CarPlay’s iOS 26 features: wrap-up

The features above are hopefully just a fraction of what Apple has coming to CarPlay this year. At a minimum, they should offer a solid new foundation for Apple to build on in the years ahead now that CarPlay Ultra has shipped and the company can hopefully re-focus on making standard CarPlay the best it can be.

What new features do you hope iOS 26 brings to CarPlay? Let us know in the comments.