CarPlay Will Support Video Playback When Parked, Multi-Touch Gestures With iOS 26 Update

Apple’s CarPlay UI is getting a translucent “Liquid Glass” visual overhaul with iOS 26, as well as several new features – lockscreen widgets, tapbacks (emoji reactions) for messages, less intrusive call alerts, and pinned live activities for important ongoing notifications. In addition, new details have emerged in the days following its unveiling at the company’s annual WWDC 2025 developer conference. 

The biggest change, which represents a huge policy reversal for Apple, is that CarPlay will allow video playback on a car’s connected display. Apple has not supported video playback before now in order to reduce the risk of distracted driving, but iOS 26 will allow apps to show video when a car is parked. Your connected iPhone’s motion sensors will cut off video playback as soon as you start moving. 

As per Apple’s developer notes for auto manufacturers, “AirPlay video in the car enables people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren’t driving. Integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.” This indicates that carmakers will need to enable this capability, which could allow for restrictions in places where laws and regulations prohibit video within a driver’s field of view. 

Video will be supported using AirPlay, Apple’s wireless streaming protocol, on the user’s paired iPhone. This will be a welcome feature for many people who need to sit idle while their cars are charging, or who are waiting for any reason while parked. 

Meanwhile, Google’s competing Android Auto software does allow video playback when parked. It is also expanding the types of apps supported to include games and Web browsers, which are not likely to come to CarPlay soon due to Apple’s more cautious approach.

Multi-touch gestures will also be allowed on cars whose display hardware supports them. This means users will be able to intuitively pinch and move around in maps, much like they are used to doing so on their phone screens. Only navigation apps seem to be able to implement multi-touch, as of now. While not all cars will have compatible touchscreen hardware, this is a prerequisite for any auto manufacturer who wants to implement CarPlay Ultra. 

Another minor tweak noted by Macrumors.com is a “sports mode”, which will let apps show a scorecard, team logos, and other information for sports matches along with playback controls, as audio broadcasts are in progress.