After years of minimal changes, CarPlay is getting a huge update this fall. Among the variety of big and small new features in iOS 26, CarPlay has a much improved solution for how incoming phone calls are handled.
New compact view for incoming phone calls won’t get in the way of navigation
If you get many phone calls, you’ve likely encountered a dilemma while driving.
You’re navigating somewhere, with Maps guiding the way, when a phone call comes in.
In some cases, this probably isn’t a big deal. You answer or decline the call, and get back to navigation quickly.
But I’ve been in situations when calls have arrived at a critical navigation moment, one where I very much needed Maps on screen.
In iOS 18 and earlier, phone calls unfortunately hijacked your entire display, letting you see nothing else until you answer or decline.
But in iOS 26, CarPlay has a long overdue solution.
iOS 14 added Phone’s compact view; five years later, it comes to CarPlay
CarPlay gains a new compact view for incoming phone calls in iOS 26.
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