Incoming calls on CarPlay 26 no longer take over turn-by-turn navigation thanks to a new compact interface, but Apple should do the same for outgoing calls.
CarPlay 26 puts an end to one of its most annoying design omissions, calls in fullscreen mode when navigating (or using another app). The operating system brings a compact call interface, replacing the fullscreen experience with a small banner at the bottom providing options to answer or hang up. A similar compact interface for calls was implemented on the iPhone with iOS 14 in 2020.
“The stunning design includes a new compact view for incoming calls, allowing users to see who’s calling without missing key information like upcoming directions,” reads the official iOS 26 press release.
CarPlay has a new compact view for incoming phone calls, but outgoing calls still take over navigation
Unfortunately, outgoing calls still take up the whole screen. This is by design—the iPhone’s call interface has had the same design for years.
This looks pretty on the iPhone, especially if you create contact posters for your favorite callers that the operating system uses to display a fullscreen image of the person you’re calling along with their name in large type.
But on CarPlay, there should be a setting to also replace fullscreen outgoing calls with a compact banner as well. I don’t want outgoing calls on CarPlay suddenly take over turn-by-turn navigation. CarPlay 26 is part of the iOS 26 software update arriving in the fall alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26 and visionOS 26 this fall, likely ahead of new iPhones in September.
Other CarPlay 26 changes
CarPlay 26 brings other enhancements, including a glassy design overhaul with Light and Dark Mode icons. Apps can now provide real-time information like delivery updates in split-view mode in the bottom-right corner alongside the current app via the Live Activities feature. Also, the vertical navigation bar on CarPlay 26 is always visible for quick access to frequently used apps.
CarPlay 26 permits panning and zooming in compatible mapping apps on vehicles equipped with multitouch screens. The software also lets you play video from your iPhone wirelessly while parked and get information such as weather forecast without launching apps via interactive widgets that were exclusive to CarPlay Ultra. Both widgets and live activities on CarPlay come from your iPhone.
The built-in Messages app now supports pinning important conversations to the top and Tapbacks, Apple’s marketing name for emoji reactions. I criticized the decision to bring Tapbacks to CarPlay 26 without providing a toggle to turn the feature off because I don’t think letting people react to messages with emoji while driving is a smart decision from a safety standpoint.
As our WWDC25 roundup notes, CarPlay 26 also brings audio switching for the AirPods 4 and second-generation AirPods Pro, where CarPlay automatically routes the audio to the in-car speaker system when you sit in the vehicle and turn the key and switch back to the AirPods when you step out of the vehicle. There’s also a new accessibility setting that fits more icons on the screen on compatible vehicles.