Apple's Latest Update on CarPlay in iOS 26 Includes Video Support, Widgets, Tapback Emojis, and Mote Functionality
**Apple Expands Digital Car Key Feature and Introduces CarPlay Ultra at WWDC 2025**
During its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple announced a major expansion of its digital Car Key feature, adding support for 13 new vehicle brands. This marks the largest expansion since the feature's launch in 2020 and brings the Apple Car Key ecosystem to over 30 vehicle brands worldwide.
The new brands include luxury and electric vehicle makers such as Porsche, Cadillac, Rivian, Lucid Motors, along with others like Chevrolet, GMC, Acura, and Indian automaker Tata Motors, among several international brands. Although Apple confirmed these brands would "soon" integrate with the digital car key functionality, no specific public launch date or timeline was provided for when users can expect the feature to become available on these new vehicles.
The digital Car Key generally allows users to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles via iPhone or Apple Watch using NFC (near-field communication) or UWB (ultra-wideband) technology, with increased security via the device’s Secure Element chip and biometric authentication.
In addition to the digital Car Key expansion, Apple introduced CarPlay Ultra, a groundbreaking, all-in-one radio experience that operates without streaming by tapping directly into a vehicle's built-in antennas for both terrestrial and satellite signals. This means drivers can access traditional radio without relying on mobile data. CarPlay Ultra uniquely integrates seamlessly with multiple vehicle screens, climate hubs, and seat controls.
The updates to CarPlay blend richer visuals, smarter controls, and safer interaction. For example, incoming call alerts on CarPlay will shift to a low-profile "pill" UI at the bottom of the screen. The Liquid Glass design introduces translucent, refractive app elements and holograph-like layering, providing a more visually appealing user interface.
Standard CarPlay users will access widgets offering at-a-glance info for services like calendars, HomeKit, weather, flight trackers, and delivery status. Multi-touch map gestures are enabled in CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra, allowing users to pinch, zoom, and pan maps directly.
Pinned conversations from iMessage will be carried over to CarPlay, keeping important chats easily accessible. iOS 26 includes accessibility improvements like large text options and expanded Sound Recognition, able to detect baby cries or sirens. iOS 26 is expected to launch publicly this fall, supporting iPhone 11 and newer.
The most striking change is the adoption of Apple's new Liquid Glass visual language across CarPlay. Live Activities are being introduced, enabling real-time updates during drives, such as sports scores or package tracking. Users can react to texts with emoji Tapbacks on CarPlay Messaging.
Apple's move with CarPlay represents a strategic pivot toward in-car AI engagement, as the company seeks to integrate its services more deeply into the driving experience. The expansion of the digital Car Key feature marks a significant step toward replacing physical keys with seamless, secure digital access, though users will need to wait for the respective automakers to finalize and deploy the integrations.
[1] Apple (2025). "WWDC 2025: Apple announces major expansion of digital Car Key feature." [online] Available at: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/wwdc25-apple-announces-major-expansion-of-digital-car-key-feature/
[2] TechCrunch (2025). "Apple's digital car key comes to 13 new brands, including Porsche, Cadillac, and Rivian." [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/06/apples-digital-car-key-comes-to-13-new-brands-including-porsche-cadillac-and-rivian/
[3] The Verge (2025). "Apple Car Key is coming to 13 more car brands." [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2025/06/06/22448076/apple-car-key-13-more-car-brands-wwdc-2025
[4] MacRumors (2025). "Apple Car Key Coming to More Car Brands, but Rivian Support Still Pending." [online] Available at: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/06/apple-car-key-coming-to-more-car-brands-but-rivian-support-still-pending/
- The digital Car Key, a feature introduced by Apple, will soon integrate with 13 new vehicle brands, including luxury and electric vehicles like Porsche, Cadillac, Rivian, Lucid Motors, Chevrolet, GMC, Acura, Tata Motors, and others.
- With the integration of smartphone technology, users can now unlock, lock, and start their cars using their iPhones or Apple Watches via NFC or UWB technology, offering increased safety and security.
- In addition to the digital Car Key, Apple has introduced CarPlay Ultra, a new radio experience that operates without streaming and taps directly into a vehicle's built-in antennas for both terrestrial and satellite signals.
- The updates to CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra emphasize safer interaction, improved visuals, and smarter controls, integrating seamlessly with multiple vehicle screens, climate hubs, and seat controls, reflecting Apple's strategic pivot toward in-car AI engagement.
