Get ready, Apple fans! When iOS 26 drops next month, it’s bringing a bunch of cool stuff for your iPhone and Apple CarPlay experience!
One of the big additions is the much-anticipated Widgets, which are set to make their debut on your car’s display. Plus, there’ll be a brand new Liquid Glass design, some fun Live Activities features, and the ability to customize your app icons too.
But the real game-changer? A newly designed phone call feature! This little gem has already been spotted in the public beta for iOS 26, so if you’re feeling bold, you can take it for a spin right now.
As reported by 9to5Mac, this revamped way of handling calls is bound to make life so much easier for anyone who’s been bugged by the old system. Right now, when your phone rings while you’re driving, the entire screen gets hijacked by the call interface. You’re forced to choose between answering or ignoring the call, which means losing track of your navigation – not ideal if you’re close to an exit!
When iOS 26 rolls out, that annoying pop-up will shrink down nicely to the bottom of the screen, letting you keep an eye on your Maps while dealing with the call. It’s such a straightforward fix, it’s shocking this hasn’t been done sooner!
When is iOS 26 Launching and What’s New in CarPlay?
So, what’s the timeline? It looks like iOS 26 will go live just days after the launch of the new iPhone 17 series, expected around September 13, 2025. That fits perfectly with the traditional launch schedules Apple likes to stick to.
Once the update is on your iPhone, the new CarPlay features should be ready to roll without much else to do on your end.
Just to clarify, this is different from Apple CarPlay Ultra, which is a next-level experience currently available only in a few car models. This version goes beyond just displaying on the screen; it can take over your entire dashboard setup!
