iOS 27: 8+ new CarPlay features
With iOS 27, Apple is introducing several CarPlay features that will improve your in-car experience, both while you’re driving and when you’re idle in the car. From new video experiences to Siri AI, there are plenty of new options to look forward to.
Video apps
CarPlay apps can integrate video navigation capabilities, so you can search for and watch videos on your car’s screen when you’re parked. The video playback feature doesn’t work when a car is moving for safety reasons, but if you’re watching something and driving, playback will switch to audio only.
iPhone apps that support AirPlay can also stream content to the car screen.
Video apps require automakers to enable support on the vehicle, and no automakers have announced plans to add support at this time.
Siri AI
Apple’s smarter, more capable version of Siri can be used in the car for hands-free conversations. Siri AI for CarPlay works like Siri AI on other devices, so you can ask it to perform tasks or find information for you while you drive.
Conversations in CarPlay sync with the Siri app on iPhone so you can resume them later.
Audio
There is a persistent mini player for the Now Playing CarPlay model. The player displays artwork and playback controls in the upper right corner of audio and media applications.
CarPlay’s Now Playing interface also has a progress bar, so you can jump to a specific spot in a song, podcast, or audiobook.
Wallpapers
CarPlay includes the new iOS 27 wallpapers, formatted for the CarPlay interface. The wallpapers feature wave-style designs in a range of colors, with 14 total wallpaper options available.
CarPlay in iOS 27 also supports larger, more interactive content tiles and includes updated Liquid Glass icons for apps like Maps and Weather.
Route data
Navigation apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps can share route data with a vehicle to incorporate information such as electric vehicle charging stops. The car is able to check a mapped route against the vehicle’s range and suggest a charging stop.
Reliability and location accuracy
Apple says wireless CarPlay is more reliable in iOS 27, and that it supports improved GPS location accuracy and navigation heading detection.
Voice control
All categories of apps can now also offer a voice control option, and Apple has designed a voice control model that can be integrated into apps for voice conversations.
Natural language improvements
In Apple Maps, Apple has extended natural language search to navigation, and it also works with CarPlay. You can ask Siri for directions that avoid toll roads, highways, etc.
Compatibility
Using the new CarPlay features in iOS 27 requires a connected iPhone with iOS 27 installed. For Siri AI, you’ll need an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro and later.
