iOS 26 CarPlay Wallpapers: See All 12 Here

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Apple is rolling out the 4th developer beta for iOS 26. As expected, it’s packed with refinements to enhance the daily user experience. In fact, a key highlight of this release is the introduction of the new iOS 26 CarPlay wallpapers, giving your car’s display a fresh look. Ultimately, this Apple CarPlay update signals a continued focus on personalization, giving drivers more options to make their in-car interface feel uniquely their own.

A First Look at the New iOS 26 CarPlay Wallpapers

First and foremost, the centerpiece of this update is a fresh collection of new CarPlay wallpapers. These backgrounds are inspired by the official iOS 26 “Liquid Glass” design. Consequently, they feature elegant, colorful semicircles that add a modern touch to your car’s display. In addition, Apple has moved away from some of the older designs in iOS 18 to make room for these vibrant new options.

Light & Dark Modes for New CarPlay Wallpapers

To ensure a seamless user experience, Apple has designed each new wallpaper with both light and dark variants. This means the backgrounds will automatically shift to match your iPhone’s system-wide appearance settings. As a result, you’ll have perfect visibility whether you’re driving in bright daylight or at night. In total, there are six distinct color schemes. Each one includes a light and dark version, giving you 12 new looks to choose from.

Full Gallery of the iOS 26 CarPlay Wallpapers

The new wallpapers are available in a range of colors to suit any taste, including blue, brown, gray, green, purple, and red.

How to Get the New CarPlay Wallpapers on Your Device

Are you excited to try them out? Keep in mind, these new wallpapers are an exclusive feature of the iOS 26 beta features. However, they will be available to everyone in the final public release. If you’re eager to get them now, then you’ll need to install the beta version on your iPhone.

Steps to Safely Install the iOS 26 Beta

Before you begin, it’s important to remember that beta software can be unstable. Therefore, it’s always best to proceed with caution.

Back Up Your iPhone: First, create a complete backup of your device using iCloud or your computer. This ensures your data is safe in case anything goes wrong.
Enroll in the Beta Program: Next, visit the Apple Beta Software Program website to sign up for free.
Download and Install: After you’ve enrolled, go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. You should see the option to download and install the iOS 26 developer or public beta.

Finally, once your iPhone is updated, the new wallpapers will automatically appear in your CarPlay Settings > Wallpaper menu.

More Than Just a Pretty Background: The Future of CarPlay

While new wallpapers might seem like a small addition, they are actually part of Apple’s larger strategy for the future of CarPlay. Specifically, each update that offers more CarPlay customization reinforces the platform’s goal. That goal is to create a deeply integrated, personal, and seamless connection between your iPhone and your vehicle. Indeed, as cars become smarter, you can expect to see Apple push these integrations even further.

Via: MacRumors

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 14 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.