Apple Carplay ready with new features: Here’s how to get them

Apple has released a new update for iOS that introduces two new features in CarPlay.

Several users already have access to the new features, and installation only takes a few minutes.

The iOS 26.2 update is now available for iPhone, and with it comes new options for CarPlay users.

Apple has previously introduced widgets in the car system, and now this feature is expanded with increased flexibility.

In addition, the Messages app in CarPlay will have new options that can be customized to the user’s needs.

Support for more widgets in CarPlay

With iOS 26, widgets became part of CarPlay for the first time, making it possible to display information from selected apps directly on the car screen.

This includes calendar appointments, weather forecast and music playback.

In the new version 26.2, Apple has changed the limits on how many widgets can be displayed on the same screen.

According to iPhoned, some cars can now support up to three widgets instead of two.

However, it depends on the screen size and Apple still limits smaller screens to a maximum of two widgets.

The exact screen sizes that will allow access to three widgets have not yet been disclosed.

The Messages app is also getting an update in CarPlay.

In iOS 26, it became possible to send quick replies with emojis, and version 26.2 introduces the ability to pin conversations.

These appear at the top of the chat list in CarPlay, allowing the user to quickly access favorite messages.

However, the feature hasn’t been popular with all users, so Apple has added a new setting.

In iOS 26.2, you can choose whether or not to show locked conversations in CarPlay.

This allows you to revert back to the previous setup if the pinned messages take up too much space on the screen.

Available now via software update

The update to iOS 26.2 was released on Friday, December 12, 2025.

It can be installed by going to Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone.

Once the update is downloaded and installed, the new CarPlay features will automatically become available.

Apple has also made technical improvements in the background to fix minor bugs in CarPlay, but it is not specified what these changes are.