Apple has vastly improved the CarPlay by adding several user-friendly features such as video streaming and the Smart Display Zoom. Designed to adapt to the wide variety of vehicle screen sizes and shapes, this new add-on ensures that your CarPlay interface makes the most of your dashboard display.
So, whether you’re driving a compact car or a luxury SUV, Smart Display Zoom can help enhance usability by intelligently adjusting the scale of your apps and icons. Follow along to set up and use the CarPlay Smart Display Zoom in iOS 26.
What is Smart Display Zoom in CarPlay?
To put it straight, the Smart Display Zoom is a new setting in iOS 26 that lets CarPlay automatically resize its interface based on your car’s dashboard screen. Once enabled, the CarPlay UI elements become slightly smaller, allowing for more information, such as an additional row of app icons, to fit on the screen. This makes navigation easier and more efficient, especially in vehicles with widescreen or unusual display dimensions.
The feature was introduced during WWDC 2025, where Apple’s CarPlay software engineer Olivia Hess explained that it’s meant to accommodate the growing diversity of in-car display layouts. What’s more, the setting is configurable directly within the CarPlay interface under Settings.
How to Enable Smart Display Zoom in iOS 26
To try out the Smart Display Zoom feature, you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 26.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your vehicle using a wired or wireless CarPlay connection.
Step 2. On the CarPlay interface, tap on the Settings app.
Step 3. Scroll down and look for Display Settings or Smart Display Zoom.
Step 4. Toggle Smart Display Zoom to On.
Step 5. The interface will automatically resize to the new display scale.
After enabling this setting, you’ll notice that app icons appear slightly smaller and more compact, making room for additional icons or controls. It’s a subtle but useful tweak, especially in cars with wider or taller screens.
Why Use Smart Display Zoom?
- More icons visible at once – less scrolling while driving.
- Optimized layout – cleaner appearance on various screen shapes.
- Better adaptability – futureproofs CarPlay for upcoming car models with custom screens.
Wrap up..!
That’s pretty much it! Smart Display Zoom in iOS 26 is a simple yet practical addition to CarPlay, improving how content is displayed without compromising clarity or functionality.
As Apple continues to evolve the in-car experience, features like this demonstrate the company’s focus on flexibility and user comfort. If you’re already trying out the iOS 26 beta, it’s worth giving this feature a test—your dashboard might just feel smarter.
