How to add widgets to CarPlay in iOS 26
Since iOS 26, CarPlay has a Dashboard screen with widgets — clock, weather, music and widgets from apps like CarMood. Here's how to add them.
What you need
- An iPhone on iOS 26 or later
- A car or head unit with Apple CarPlay (wired or wireless)
- An app with CarPlay widgets, such as CarMood
Add widgets in iPhone Settings
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to General → CarPlay and choose your car.
- Tap Widgets.
- Tap Add Widgets and pick CarMood → “Car Widget 1” (add 2 and 3 for more).
- Drag the widgets into the order you like — the top one is what you see first.
Find them in the car
Widgets are not on the CarPlay screen with app icons. Swipe to the Dashboard screen (the split view with the map and small cards) — that's where your widgets appear.
How many widgets fit?
It depends on your car's screen. Wide screens show up to three stacks side by side, small screens one or two. Each stack can hold several widgets you can swipe through in the car.
Make them yours
In CarMood you pick what each Car Widget shows: a photo, your car's logo, a clock, weather, speed, a countdown and more. Save as many designs as you like in your library and switch between them any time.
Widget blank, cropped or missing?
- No Widgets option in Settings: update to iOS 26; some cars with very small screens don't support Dashboard widgets.
- Blank or old info: unlock your iPhone once after a restart, then reconnect CarPlay.
- Cropped: some aftermarket and older head units crop widgets — designs with centered content look best.
CarPlay guides
- How to set a custom CarPlay startup sound (iOS 26)
- How to customize CarPlay in iOS 26
- CarPlay widgets not showing? 7 fixes for iOS 26
- How to change the CarPlay wallpaper in iOS 26
- Does my car support CarPlay widgets? Check in one minute
- CarPlay Dashboard vs Home screen: where the widgets are
- How to put your own photo on the CarPlay screen
- CarPlay disconnect sound and “arrived home” automation
- What's new in CarPlay in iOS 26: widgets and more
- Wireless CarPlay adapters and widgets: what works
- How many CarPlay widgets fit your screen (1, 2 or 3)
- CarPlay widget ideas: couples, dog owners, faith, car lovers