You're about to notice huge changes with your Apple CarPlay as iOS 26 begins
Published on Sep 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Sep 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Did you know that you’re about to notice huge changes with your Apple CarPlay as iOS 26 begins on all Apple products?
The tech giant is launching CarPlay Ultra, a deeper level of integration that can control more of your car’s systems from within the car’s infotainment system.
As well as all the classic apps, you can adjust the car’s climate controls, radio, and performance settings all within the CarPlay environment.
Even the car’s dashboard instrument cluster can also adopt the CarPlay system’s layout, showing speed, revs per minute, and even tire pressure – but many automakers are resisting this CarPlay update.
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Huge changes are coming with your Apple CarPlay as iOS 26 begins
Apple users won’t be surprised to find out that huge changes are coming along with the tech giant’s new upgrade, iOS 26.
While people’s gadgets are changing, big changes are being implemented all the way down to people’s Apple CarPlay systems.
CarPlay Ultra is launching with a much deeper level of integration that can actually adjust your car’s internal systems in a different way from the currently standard infotainment app system.
Now, in addition to navigation, the music app and messages happening in your car’s infotainment center, you can edit climate controls, the radio the performance settings of your car through CarPlay.
Other updates that’ll make your life easier
Alongside a better car system integration with Apple CarPlay, the upgrade also comes with refreshed, adaptive icons that will adapt to dark/light mode seamlessly.
There’ll be a more compact incoming call view so that when you get a call, it won’t take over your full screen, and you’ll be able to see the navigation behind it.
You can also send quick emoji replies to messages, pin certain message threads for quick access, and see more easily glanceable widgets like a friend’s flight status.
You can also edit your dashboard to adopt CarPlay’s layout, so that it now shows speed, RPM, tire pressure, and other car systems.
While the luxury British automaker Aston Martin is already integrating Apple CarPlay Ultra into models like the DBX, Vantage, and DB12, and talking to Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, a lot of brands have declined to adopt the upgrade.
Audi, Renault, Mercedes, Volvo, and Polestar cited data, control, and system compatibility concerns as to why they wouldn’t be implementing the new upgrades.
This means that, depending on your car make, you might not be getting to check out the newest Apple CarPlay features, which would be a shame because they’re super cool.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
