Apple CarPlay allows users to personalize their in-car experience with a variety of customization options. One of the simplest ways to tailor the interface is by rearranging icons on the iPhone, which directly affects the layout of the CarPlay screen. Users can access these settings through the iPhone's Settings app by navigating to General > CarPlay, selecting their vehicle, and then entering the Apps menu. From there, they can drag apps up or down to prioritize them, or add and remove apps using the red minus and green plus buttons. With the release of iOS 26, Apple introduced CarPlay widgets that offer quick access to information like weather, calendar events, and the clock. These widgets can be edited by tapping the Widgets option in the same menu where apps are managed. If Smart Rotate is enabled, CarPlay can automatically change the widgets throughout the day based on the time. Users can also see suggestions for widgets they haven’t added yet. Adjusting the brightness of CarPlay to match the car's dashboard or switching between light and dark mode can be done in Settings > Appearance on the CarPlay screen by selecting Automatic. Changing the wallpaper or the color of app icons can be done through Settings > Wallpaper and Settings > Customize icons in CarPlay, respectively. Siri is fully integrated into CarPlay, allowing users to send messages, start navigation, change music playlists, and more by saying "Hey Siri" or using the voice button on the car's steering wheel. The updated Siri AI in iOS 27 is more helpful in driving scenarios. Users can prevent Siri from interrupting them while using CarPlay by adjusting specific settings. Voice Commands, an accessibility feature, provides additional control options through voice, which can be enabled by going to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control in CarPlay. A complete list of available commands is available on Apple's Voice Control CarPlay support page. Apple’s Focus feature on the iPhone helps minimize distractions by managing notifications while driving, without affecting essential apps like navigation. To enable Driving Focus, users can go to the CarPlay display’s Settings, select Driving Focus, and choose to activate it with CarPlay. For optimal performance, users should adjust their Driving Focus settings on their iPhone by going to Settings > Focus > Driving. They can choose which contacts to allow messages from, enable repeated calls from blocked contacts, and set up auto-replies. Driving Focus can also be set to activate automatically whenever the phone connects to CarPlay through the While Driving tab. Many CarPlay users take advantage of both wireless and wired connections depending on the situation. While wireless connections are more convenient, they don’t charge the phone unless the car has a wireless charging pad. For long trips, plugging in the phone is recommended to maintain battery life. Other tips for a smoother CarPlay experience include pinning frequent conversations in the iPhone’s Messages app, which also appears in CarPlay. Additionally, users can use the Shortcuts app to create automations that enhance their CarPlay experience.