CarPlay widgets, introduced with iOS 26 and expanded in iOS 27, turn the car dashboard into a glanceable extension of the iPhone. Unlike full-screen CarPlay apps, widgets appear in stacks and show specific details from apps like Reminders, Weather, and Home. For professionals, that can mean checking a meeting reminder, seeing whether the office lights were left on, or tracking a package delivery without switching apps.
Setup is straightforward, according to Engadget. While parked, open Settings > General > CarPlay, select your car, then choose Widgets. Enable Show Widgets, tap Add Widget, and browse recommended or compatible apps. You can drag handles to rearrange, tap the red minus to remove, and use the blue i icon to customize certain widgets, such as choosing a saved location in Weather.
The source also notes automation options: Smart Rotate surfaces the most relevant widget based on time or location, and Widget Suggestions can show potentially useful widgets you haven't added. Third-party widgets, especially after iOS 27, include Instagram, Amazon, Claude, and Gemini. Engadget advises sticking to glanceable, non-distracting info, and suggests skipping widgets like Duolingo or LinkedIn while driving.