CarPlay just got a quieter, cleaner way to handle phone calls in iOS 26. Instead of hijacking your whole screen with a giant contact photo and buttons, the new call UI now pops up as a sleek, compact banner. It’s a small change, but for drivers, it could be the difference between tapping and crashing.
CarPlay now keeps your screen focused on driving
In previous versions, incoming calls took over the entire CarPlay display cutting off maps, media, and anything else you were using. iOS 26 changes that. Calls now show up in a subtle pill-shaped banner at the top, so your map stays visible and music keeps playing. It’s the kind of UI refinement Apple loves to sneak in.
The update works with third-party apps too
This isn’t just for Apple’s own Phone app. If you use WhatsApp, Telegram, or any other supported calling app through CarPlay, they’ll all follow the new banner layout. Developers don’t need to update anything it works automatically. That means less tapping, fewer distractions, and a more consistent experience across the board.
CarPlay continues evolving while we wait for the big redesign
Apple teased a massive CarPlay overhaul back in 2022, promising deep integration with car hardware speed, climate, fuel, the works. But that update’s still nowhere in sight. In the meantime, small improvements like this call UI update show Apple’s still tuning the current version behind the scenes.
iOS 26 beta testers spotted the change early
The new interface first appeared in developer beta builds and was quickly flagged by testers. Early reactions have been positive, especially from users who rely on navigation apps and hated losing their route every time a call came in. Now, they don’t have to choose between seeing the road and answering Mom.
- New banner-style call UI in CarPlay for iOS 26
- Incoming calls no longer block maps or media
- Works across Apple and third-party calling apps
- No developer action needed to adopt the feature
- Part of Apple’s ongoing CarPlay refinement ahead of the big overhaul
CarPlay isn’t flashy yet but it’s getting sharper
This isn’t the CarPlay revolution Apple teased but it’s the kind of polish that builds trust. Cleaner alerts, less distraction, and smoother driving moments. If the full redesign ever lands, it’ll be judged on these small wins.
In the car, every pixel counts.
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