Apple's CarPlay works well with default settings, but customization options exist for a personalized experience. Users can change wallpapers and themes via Settings > Wallpaper or Appearance. Text size and boldness adjustments are available under Accessibility menus.

App organization happens on the iPhone under Settings > General > CarPlay, where users can drag apps to the top of the home screen or edit widget stacks. A key feature is Driving Focus, accessible through Settings > Focus > Add > Driving, which silences notifications and can send auto-replies. To enable, users select motion or CarPlay connection for automatic activation. iOS 26 introduces Smart Display Zoom, found under Settings > Display, which scales UI elements for larger screens; it can be turned off for bigger icons.

Voice Control, located in Settings > Accessibility, allows basic commands like "Open Spotify" without summoning Siri first. For safer driving, Announce Notifications on CarPlay reads alerts aloud via Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications > CarPlay. These adjustments enhance usability and safety while using CarPlay in various vehicles.