Apple has quietly brought back one of the most requested CarPlay features. In iOS 26.2 beta 1, CarPlay users can once again use two widget stacks side by side. The feature first appeared in iOS 26.1 beta 1, allowing drivers with larger screens to view more widgets at once. But it disappeared in the following beta versions, leaving many frustrated with oversized single widgets.
Now, the dual widget stacks have returned. Several testers confirmed the change, including users who noticed it on 8-inch and even 12-inch displays. One iPhone 15 Pro Max user said their setup went from three stacks down to two before the latest beta restored the layout again. Another mentioned that Apple likely responded to user feedback, as many had reported the issue through the Feedback app.
Users noted that although widgets display properly, they aren’t interactive yet. They tested Spotify, Overcast, and ChatGPT widgets, but said none responded to touch controls. Another user confirmed that standard CarPlay widgets remain non-interactive for now. Even so, most agreed that having multiple stacks visible again is a major improvement.
“I did immediately disable updates after the return of them,” one user joked, hoping Apple won’t revert the change in later builds.
A Smarter CarPlay
CarPlay’s widget layout has become a small but meaningful part of Apple’s in-car experience. With larger screens now common in newer vehicles, users want layouts that show more data at once. The restored dual-stack view makes it easier to check maps, music, and upcoming calendar events side by side without extra swipes.
For now, interaction with third-party widgets still seems limited, but the return of stacked layouts hints at Apple refining its upcoming next-generation CarPlay system. If it sticks through final release, this could mark one of the most practical CarPlay upgrades in years.
