How to Add Widgets to CarPlay (iOS 26 and iOS 27)

Since iOS 26, CarPlay has a widget area on the left side of the home screen. Here is how to set it up from your iPhone. Updated October 27, 2026.

What you need

• An iPhone updated to iOS 26 or later. iOS 27 added more widget options, described below.
• A car or aftermarket screen with Apple CarPlay.

Add widgets

1. Connect your iPhone to your car, with a cable or wirelessly.
2. On your iPhone, open Settings › General › CarPlay and tap your car.
3. Tap Widgets, then Add Widgets.
4. Choose a widget. Widgets appear in stacks to the left of the CarPlay home screen.
5. Drag widgets to change their order, or remove the ones you don't want.

Smart Rotate and Widget Suggestions

A stack can hold up to five widgets. Smart Rotate lets CarPlay switch between the widgets in a stack on its own; turn it off if you always want to see the same widget. In iOS 27, Widget Suggestions can also add widgets CarPlay thinks are useful. You'll find both switches on the same Widgets screen.

Which widgets can I use?

In iOS 26, Apple's own widgets appeared in CarPlay. With iOS 27, any compatible iPhone Home Screen widget can be added to the CarPlay dashboard. Some apps choose not to offer their widgets in the car, so a widget you use on your iPhone may not be in the list.

Widgets don't show up?

• Check your iOS version in Settings › General › About.
• Disconnect and reconnect your iPhone, or restart the car's screen.
• Open the widget's app once on your iPhone so it can prepare its content.
• Aftermarket CarPlay screens sometimes lag behind new features; check for a firmware update from the screen's maker.

Want your own photos in the car?

CarPlay's wallpaper can't be set to your own picture, but a photo widget can show it in the widget area. That's what CarWidgets does, along with countdowns and car reminders.

Sources: MacRumors, iOS 27 CarPlay features; 9to5Mac, CarPlay in iOS 26.