5 New CarPlay Features In IOS 27 That Will Upgrade Your Drive

Apple’s iOS 27 brings one of the most significant CarPlay updates in years. Instead of focusing only on navigation, music, and messaging, Apple is expanding CarPlay with Siri AI, customizable widgets, video playback while parked, smarter navigation integration, and improved media controls.

Some features work after updating your iPhone, while others require support from your vehicle manufacturer. Here are five new iOS 27 CarPlay features worth exploring.

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1. Siri AI Comes to CarPlay

One of the biggest changes is the arrival of Siri AI in CarPlay.

Instead of relying entirely on short, carefully worded commands, Siri AI is designed for more conversational interactions. You can ask follow-up questions, get information, and resume previous Siri conversations from the dedicated CarPlay experience.

For example, you could ask Siri a question and continue with a follow-up without repeating all the context.

Apple says Siri AI in CarPlay requires an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, including iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models, or newer compatible devices. Availability also depends on supported languages and regions.

2. Watch Videos on Your Car’s Display—While Parked

Perhaps the most surprising iOS 27 CarPlay feature is video playback.

In supported vehicles, you can use AirPlay to send video from your iPhone to the CarPlay display. Apple is also allowing compatible CarPlay video apps to provide an interface for browsing content directly from the vehicle’s screen.

There’s an important safety restriction: video playback is intended for use when you’re not driving.

Connect your iPhone to CarPlay, start compatible video content, tap the AirPlay button, and select the vehicle display.

If the vehicle determines video isn’t available, playback switches to audio.

Vehicle support is required, meaning installing iOS 27 alone won’t necessarily enable video on your existing CarPlay system.

3. Add Custom Widgets to CarPlay

CarPlay becomes much more customizable with third-party widgets.

Instead of being limited to a small collection of Apple information, compatible widgets from iPhone apps can appear in CarPlay.

Widgets can provide glanceable information without requiring you to open an entire app. Depending on supported apps, this could include weather information, calendar events, smart-home controls, reminders, or other useful data.

To customize them when you’re parked, go to:

Settings > General > CarPlay > [Your Car] > Widgets

You can add, remove, and rearrange widgets. Apple also provides Smart Rotate and Widget Suggestions, allowing CarPlay to surface information based on context.

The number of widget stacks available depends on your vehicle’s display.

4. Live Activities Bring Real-Time Information to the Dashboard

iOS 27 also expands the usefulness of Live Activities in CarPlay.

The same type of live information that appears on your iPhone can surface on the CarPlay Dashboard.

That can include:

Live sports scores
Navigation progress
Food delivery estimates
Other supported real-time activities

This is particularly useful because you can see changing information at a glance without repeatedly opening an app.

You can control Live Activities for individual apps from:

Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Live Activities

5. Navigation Apps Can Work More Closely With Your Car

Navigation gets one of the most technically interesting upgrades.

Apple’s updated CarPlay framework lets navigation apps share route information with supported vehicles.

This is especially valuable for electric vehicles.

For example, a navigation app can share your planned route with the vehicle. The car can analyze expected energy consumption and potentially propose a charging stop, which can then be incorporated into the navigation experience.

Apple is also giving navigation developers more flexible information panels while keeping the map visible.

Like CarPlay video, however, Route Sharing requires support from the vehicle manufacturer.

Bonus: A Better MiniPlayer for Music and Podcasts

There’s another improvement you’ll probably notice while listening to audio.

iOS 27 introduces a new MiniPlayer for CarPlay’s Now Playing interface. On supported screen layouts, it provides convenient controls such as play, pause, and skip without requiring the full Now Playing screen.

Apple says apps using Now Playing automatically receive the MiniPlayer unless the developer specifically disables it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is new in CarPlay with iOS 27?

Major changes include Siri AI, customizable widgets, Live Activities, parked video playback, improved navigation integration, and a new MiniPlayer.

Can I watch YouTube or videos through CarPlay?

iOS 27 supports video playback on the CarPlay display when you’re not driving, but the vehicle must support Apple’s video-in-car feature. App support can also vary.

How do I add widgets to CarPlay?

When you’re not driving, open Settings > General > CarPlay > your vehicle > Widgets > Add Widgets and choose compatible widgets.

Does every CarPlay vehicle get the new iOS 27 features?

No. Software-based improvements can have broader availability, but features such as video playback and deep Route Sharing depend on compatible vehicle hardware and manufacturer support.

Does Siri AI work with CarPlay?

Yes. Siri AI is available through CarPlay on supported Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones, subject to Apple’s device, language, and regional requirements.

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Final Takeaway

iOS 27 makes CarPlay considerably more capable, but not every feature will appear in every vehicle immediately.

Custom widgets, Live Activities, improved media controls, and Siri AI make the everyday CarPlay experience smarter, while parked video playback and deeper vehicle Route Sharing point toward where Apple wants the platform to go next.

After updating to iOS 27, start by customizing your CarPlay widgets and checking Live Activities. If you own a newer vehicle, it’s also worth checking with the manufacturer to see whether iOS 27’s video and advanced navigation integrations are supported.

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5 New CarPlay Features in iOS 27 That Will Upgrade Your Drive