iOS 26.2 beta revamps CarPlay widgets with dynamic scaling, restoring two- and three-widget layouts on 8-12-inch screens to fit varied dashboards better.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple is continuing to experiment with bringing widgets into CarPlay, and the latest tweaks in the iOS 26.2 beta suggest the company has finally taken user complaints on board. After the feature’s rocky debut in iOS 26, Apple appears to be preparing a rethink of how widgets are displayed so they better fit a wide range of in-car screens—a course correction that feels overdue.
Widgets in CarPlay were among the headline additions in iOS 26. Unlike their iPhone counterparts, they require separate development—apps have to build special versions for the car system. The rollout, however, puzzled many: on a lot of cars, CarPlay showed only a single widget, even on displays that could comfortably fit two or three. The result, users argued, was an awkward layout where one oversized widget swallowed the entire screen. Hard to disagree with that critique.
Early users of the iOS 26.2 beta report that the restriction has been lifted. Owners of cars with 8-inch displays can once again place two widgets side by side, while those with 12-inch screens can show even three. It effectively restores functionality some setups previously had but lost after the last update—more restoration than reinvention, yet clearly the right move.
Experts believe Apple is testing dynamic scaling and adapting widgets to the size of each infotainment display. That would make CarPlay feel more coherent and efficient regardless of screen dimensions. While the company hasn’t shared plans officially, it’s expected that the updated widget system will arrive as part of a major iOS update by the end of 2025, broadening CarPlay’s capabilities and making the interface noticeably easier to use. If it lands as anticipated, it would finally meet the realities of today’s varied dashboards.