The iOS 26 has introduced a new feature that will help the carplay better benefit your vehicle’s performance size, Apple announced in WWDC 2025. When capable, the new smart display will reduce elements on the screen to fit an additional row of the zoom app icon.
“Vehicle screens come in many sizes and sizes,” CarPlay Engineer Olivia Hayes explained in a developer video that Marasters“In iOS 26, some screen configurations allow drivers to adjust their display scale with smart display zoom configuble within the settings in the carplay. When the smart display zoom is enabled, your carplay app will be automatically shaped on the new display scale.”
Although the change is relatively small, if you have a lot of apps, the carplay should use less trouble to use it. This feature is available in a developer beta for now, but will appear in a public beta in the next month and the final iOS 26 release by September this year.
CarPlay is receiving other updates as part of the iOS 26 update. This will facilitate a more compact scene for upcoming calls, so the display does not disrupt directions. Tapback (ie emoji reactions) and pinned conversations are coming in messages in the carplay, and wigates and live activities can be reflected on the infotainment system. These updates will also be present in CarPlay Ultra.
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