CarPlay at WWDC: Rearrange or Hide Apps, Apple Music Makeover, Alternate Routing, and More - MacRumors
Skip to Content

CarPlay at WWDC: Rearrange or Hide Apps, Apple Music Makeover, Alternate Routing, and More

While most of the WWDC 2016 keynote was focused on iOS 10, macOS Sierra, and new versions of tvOS and watchOS, Apple also made a number of CarPlay-related announcements during the two-hour presentation.

CarPlay-new
First, the new Apple Maps appearance on iOS 10 and some new features extend to the dashboard. If there is a lot of traffic ahead, for example, CarPlay will now proactively provide you with alternate routes and estimate how much time you saved compared to your original route.

Additionally, CarPlay turn-by-turn directions will now be available directly in your instrument cluster in vehicles equipped with a driver-side peripheral screen for a safer driving experience.

CarPlay-instrument
Another feature that should make CarPlay safer is the Siri SDK. Apple is opening Siri up to developers, enabling third-party apps for VoIP calling and more to work seamlessly with the virtual assistant, and the functionality extends to CarPlay.

CarPlay-skype

Siri on CarPlay will support VoIP calls like Skype, which is not yet available in the car

CarPlay apps can now be rearranged or hidden on iOS 10 by tapping on Settings > General > CarPlay > Your Vehicle. Simply tap the add or subtract button on the stock or third-party apps that you want to add or remove. Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, Car, and Now Playing cannot be removed.

CarPlay-apps-removed

CarPlay apps can now be rearranged or hidden on iOS 10 (Image: 9to5Mac)

Just like on iOS 10, Apple Music has received a makeover on CarPlay that makes it easier to browse and discover music. The top menu options have changed from For You, New, Radio, Playlists, My Music, and Now Playing to Library, For You, Browse, Radio, and Now Playing. Curated playlists have also been added.

Apple-Music-CarPlay-iOS-10

Apple Music has received a makeover on CarPlay (Image: 9to5Mac)

CarPlay is also now supported on ultra-wide screens. The new features and improvements will require pairing an iPhone 5 or later on iOS 10.

Many automakers in the U.S. and abroad now support CarPlay, including Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Porsche, Peugeot, Seat, Škoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Volvo, and others.

Aftermarket systems are available from Alpine, JBL, JVC, Kenwood, and Pioneer.

Related Roundups: CarPlay, WWDC 2026

Popular Stories

WWDC26 Glowing Ring Feature

Apple Sending WWDC 2026 Invites to Special Event Lottery Winners

Thursday April 2, 2026 2:03 pm PDT by
Students and developers who won the lottery to attend the WWDC 2026 Special Event at Apple Park on June 8 have started receiving their invites. Apple is holding a WWDC keynote viewing at Apple Park, but space is limited so invites were done on a lottery basis. Apple accepted submissions from those interested in attending until Monday night, and winners are now being notified. Developers...
unofficial wwdc pins 2

Apple Fan Creates Unofficial WWDC 2026 and 50th Anniversary Enamel Pins

Thursday April 2, 2026 1:57 pm PDT by
App developer Clément Sauvage has designed a set of enamel pins for Apple fans who want to commemorate WWDC 2026 and Apple's 50th anniversary. Sauvage is offering the pins on Kickstarter, and plans to start shipments in May ahead of WWDC. The pins feature the Apple developer logo, the Apple Intelligence icon, Apple's "spaceship" and rainbow at the Apple Park campus, the entrance to Apple's...
Swift Student Challenge 2026

2026 Swift Student Challenge: Three Apps Created by Young Developers

Thursday April 9, 2026 7:59 am PDT by
In late March, Apple notified the winners of the 2026 Swift Student Challenge, who each received a complimentary one-year Apple Developer Program membership, AirPods Max 2, and a special certificate. A smaller group of Distinguished Winners were also invited to a three-day experience at Apple Park during WWDC 2026 in June. The annual Swift Student Challenge gives eligible student developers...

Top Rated Comments

caliguy Avatar
129 months ago
Give us Waze support!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac21ND Avatar
129 months ago
Why is it that I just want to punch Eddy Cue?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
129 months ago
Why is it that I just want to punch Eddy Cue?
Perhaps you weren't loved enough as a child, or frustrated with your life and want to be able to take it out on someone who is successful and happy? It's hard to know without more detail, but most likely this isn't the best location for you to find help and resolution on your anger issues. Sending you best wishes!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
129 months ago
I recently bought a new car with CarPlay and for the most part I really like it. But every time I use it I have a decision to make - am I going to run Apple Maps through CarPlay or just use Waze on my phone (I still have a vent clip)? If I try to run Waze through the phone, CarPlay actually makes things more convoluted because what's on the car screen has to be on the phone screen. This actually makes for a more dangerous experience. Apple needs to open CarPlay up to 3rd party nav apps.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
129 months ago
No thank you.


Am I the only person in the world that thinks this UI is ugly? There's nothing here but icons and text. And why the hell did they transfer the ugly home button of a phone into a digital icon at the bottom left of a car entertainment deck?
Simple UI = easy to read in moving vehicles. Do you really need to stare at fancy fonts and icons while driving?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
routine_analyst Avatar
129 months ago
No thank you.



Am I the only person in the world that thinks this UI is ugly? There's nothing here but icons and text. And why the hell did they transfer the ugly home button of a phone into a digital icon at the bottom left of a car entertainment deck?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)