Tapbacks on CarPlay 26: Now you can crash with feeling while reacting with emoji
Apple is bringing Tapbacks to Messages on CarPlay. Now you can react to chats with emoji while driving because what could possibly go wrong?
iOS 26 brings many CarPlay goodies, but I was so surprised seeing Tapbacks—which is Apple talk for emoji reactions in the Messages app—making their way into CarPlay’s Messages app on iOS 26 that I had to whine about it on a Friday afternoon.
Safety comes first, and here comes Apple wanting me to squint and try to hit a small Tapback icon on the infotainment display with my finger while holding the steering wheel with another hand. And for what? To instantly react with emoji because God forbid if I do it later. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
iOS 26 brings Tapbacks to Messages on CarPlay
OS 26 also brings pinned chats to CarPlay’s Messages, but my issue is with Tapbacks. Reacting with emoji is not the same as glancing at an important message from, say, your spouse while driving. I need to think about how I want to react—unnecessary cognitive load while driving—and then actually hit that Tapback icon.
And when Tapbacks pop up, I then need to look at them to choose one that fits the feeling I want to convey while my mind is busy with traffic and driving. And then I must hit a tiny Tapback icon.
Apple also brought the Live Activities feature to CarPlay, which displays timely updates without opening apps, and that’s another distraction. Apple’s example for this is navigating while getting real-time updates on a flight as a live activity.
I’m a big fan of CarPlay, but I also almost lost my life in a traffic accident seven years ago, so I’m now super-aware that safety does come first. And with the latest round of CarPlay updates, I feel like Apple’s engineers implemented Tapbacks and Live Activities because marketing asked for it.
How’s this fine from a safety standpoint? If safety is a primary concern with CarPlay, then Apple should at least provide toggles in the CarPlay settings to turn off Tapbacks and Live Activities at will.
Stay focused while driving, says Apple
Here’s how Apple advertises CarPlay changes on the iOS 26 page. “React with a Tapback in Messages, follow Live Activities, and get more information at a glance so you can stay connected and focused while you drive,” it reads. Reacting with emoji while driving does not make me focused while driving!
I know you don’t have to use those features if you don’t want to. But that’s not the point. People may accidentally discover them while playing with CarPlay, and that’s a distraction. Some folks may also wonder why they’re suddenly seeing updates for package delivery when a live activity banner pops up on the in-car display.
Please tell me I’m not the only one bothered by this. Should Apple reconsider bringing Tapbacks and Live Activities to CarPlay, do you think? Let me know by posting a comment down below!
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/06/20/apple-ios-26-carplay-tapbacks-emoji-reactions-criticism/
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