CarPlay just got a big upgrade, and iOS 26.4 brings even more

The past year has been an interesting one for CarPlay, with the launch of CarPlay Ultra and iOS 26 bringing the biggest changes to CarPlay in years. Now iOS 26.4 is set to continue this good trend, indicating that CarPlay’s best days may be yet to come.

CarPlay gets some big new features in iOS 26.4, continuing the recent trend

CarPlay has long been popular with consumers, as driver surveys consistently show.

But until recently, Apple seemed comfortable letting CarPlay stand still.

After announcing the “next generation of CarPlay” in 2022, the ‘normal’ CarPlay received little attention from Apple.

However, over the past year, things have finally changed in a big way.

CarPlay Ultra was launched and followed by iOS 26, a major update for existing CarPlay users thanks to widgets, Live Actions, Liquid Glass design, and more.

Now iOS 26.4 is coming, and its beta reveals two more big improvements in the works:

These are big new features, and Apple is pulling them out of a point update to iOS a few months after iOS 26 brought its biggest changes.

Have Apple CarPlay’s priorities changed? It certainly seems so. And I suspect there are a few different things behind that.

Why CarPlay might get more updates too

If I were to guess why CarPlay is suddenly so important to Apple after years of neglect, my answer has two parts.

First, Apple had a few car-related distractions that were recently removed.

1. Project Titan
2. CarPlay Ultra

Project Titan was Apple’s ten-year effort to build an electric car. And it was eventually canceled in early 2024. That cancellation may change Apple’s priorities regarding CarPlay.

And CarPlay Ultra has spent years in development as well, launching in 2025 after a 2022 launch.

Based on Apple’s initial word, this “next generation of CarPlay” seems to have been intended to replace CarPlay. Instead, due to the automaker’s resistance, it came as a niche, high-end variant.

Besides these drawbacks, I think there are other reasons why CarPlay is now getting more attention. They also include potential threats to both CarPlay and iPhone.

Automakers that once praised CarPlay have begun to turn to building their own infotainment solutions. And new technologies like AI pose a new threat to the iPhone’s dominance in users’ lives.

By investing in CarPlay, Apple can help prevent many car manufacturers from dropping support, and strengthen the entire Apple ecosystem with the iPhone at its core.

With the bugs out of the way, and new incentives to make CarPlay better than ever, I hope the latest CarPlay improvements aren’t just a fluke.

Why do you think Apple refocused on CarPlay? Let us know in the comments.

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