Guide · iOS 26 / 27

CarPlay widget not showing?

Since iOS 26, CarPlay can show small iPhone widgets on its Dashboard. If yours isn't there, it's almost always one of these four.

1. iPhone on iOS 26 or later

CarPlay widgets started with iOS 26. Check Settings › General › About.

2. The widget is a small widget

CarPlay only shows the small widget size. Medium and large widgets won't appear.

3. Turn widgets on for your car

On the car's screen: Settings › Widgets, turn on Show Widgets, then tap + and add the widget. Or on your iPhone: Settings › General › CarPlay › your car › Widgets. Each car has its own list.

Not in the list? Open the app once, then unplug and replug (or toggle wireless CarPlay) so CarPlay refreshes it. Some older head units don't show a Widgets setting at all.

4. Swipe to the widgets page

On the car's screen, swipe right: widgets live on their own page, to the left of the first app page. The page only appears once a widget is added. Wired and wireless CarPlay both work.

Still blank?

• Open the app once. Widgets can't load data from an app that has never launched.
• Tapping a widget may do nothing. Apps without a dedicated CarPlay integration show widgets as glanceable only, and the system may dim them to show that.
• In Dashtone: Widgets › "Widget not showing?" runs these checks for you.