Apple Adds 5 CarPlay Upgrades in iOS 27, Enabling Native Video and Stronger Wireless
Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · Jun 22
Apple Adds 5 CarPlay Upgrades in iOS 27, Enabling Native Video and Stronger Wireless
3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Jun 22
Summary
iOS 27 brings five CarPlay changes aimed at daily driving pain points, including more stable wireless connections, a persistent audio mini player and native in-car video apps.
Apple says the update should cut dropouts and speed reconnection, while improved location handling uses iPhone motion sensors to keep navigation steadier in tunnels, garages and dense city streets.
CarPlay also gains a floating media overlay for Apple Music, Spotify, podcasts and audiobooks, plus a scrubbing slider that lets users jump within long-form audio from the dashboard display.
Native video marks the biggest capability shift: developers can build apps for direct playback on the car screen when parked, with iOS automatically switching to audio-only once driving starts.