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.

CarPlay gains a new compact view for incoming phone calls in iOS 26.

This means you’ll be able to see who’s calling, and make an un-rushed decision about whether to answer or not, without missing out on upcoming directions.

It’s a small change, but if you get calls often, it can make a big difference.

The design is nearly identical to the iPhone’s own compact view for calls. Just as phone calls on iPhone used to take over your whole display while unlocked, but as of iOS 14 they’re now a banner at the top of the screen.

Now in iOS 26, CarPlay handles phone calls very similarly—they appear at the bottom of the screen, obscuring very little in the process.

Did CarPlay’s old phone call UI ever cause you problems? Let us know in the comments.

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