iOS 26 is crammed full of upgrades for CarPlay users, including a refreshed Liquid Glass design, support for widgets, and more.There’s even support for a new “AirPlay video in the car” feature that developers and automakers can adopt if they so choose.CarPlay in iOS 26 One change that is flying under the radar, however, is a new Smart Display Zoom feature.
Apple says that this new Smart Display Zoom option is designed to help CarPlay better adapt to the various shapes and sizes of in-car screens.In a session video from WWDC 2025, Apple explains: At least as of the first iOS 26 beta, Smart Display Zoom is disabled by default.It’s also not available on every car.
Availability appears to vary based on the size of your car’s infotainment display.Here are some screenshots showing what classic CarPlay user interface elements look like with and without Smart Display Zoom enabled.These screenshots were taken on my 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Keep in mind that iOS 26 is still in early developer beta, and things can (and will) change between now and when the update is released to the public later this fall.CarPlay Dashboard Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: App Grid Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Widgets screen Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Messages app Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Now Playing in Music Default zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Home tab in Music Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Now Playing in Podcasts Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Apple News app Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Apple Maps route picker Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Apple Maps navigation Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Apple Maps search Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: Settings app Default Zoom: Smart Display Zoom: You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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