CarPlay in iOS 26 introduces a brand-new widgets page, opening the door for third-party apps to show real-time information directly on your car’s display. While Apple has yet to bring its native Apple Music live lyrics to CarPlay’s Now Playing screen, there’s now a practical workaround. Thanks to the Dynamic Lyrics app, you can display scrolling, time-synced lyrics from Apple Music or Spotify on the CarPlay widgets page.

If you’ve ever wanted to turn your car into a mini karaoke lounge—or simply glance at lyrics without picking up your phone—this setup makes it possible.

What Works for Lyrics on CarPlay in iOS 26

  • Widgets page support: CarPlay now has a dedicated widgets screen.
  • Dynamic Lyrics app: Provides a widget that displays real-time, time-synced lyrics from Apple Music or Spotify.
  • Where it shows up: Lyrics appear only in the widgets section, not on the Now Playing screen.
  • Compatibility: Works on both wired and wireless CarPlay setups.

Apple’s own live lyrics remain exclusive to the iPhone screen, but this workaround fills the gap inside CarPlay.

How to Add Live Lyrics to CarPlay with Dynamic Lyrics

Requirements

  • iPhone running iOS 26
  • A car or head unit that supports CarPlay (wired or wireless)
  • An Apple Music or Spotify account
  • The Dynamic Lyrics app (free on the App Store)

Step-by-step setup

1- Install Dynamic Lyrics
Download it from the App Store and grant it permission to access your music service.

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2- Connect iPhone to CarPlay
Plug in via cable or use wireless CarPlay, depending on your vehicle.

3- Enable CarPlay Widgets
On iPhone, go to Settings → General → CarPlay → [Your Car] → Widgets.

4- Add the Dynamic Lyrics widget
Place it in a widget stack, ideally near the top for quick visibility.

5- Access the widgets page in CarPlay
Swipe over on your CarPlay display until you reach the widgets page.

6- Launch the Dynamic Lyrics app once
The widget won’t populate until the app has been opened at least once.

7- Play music
Start playback in Apple Music or Spotify. If lyrics are available, the widget will automatically scroll through them in sync.

Troubleshooting the CarPlay Lyrics Widget

  • iOS version check: Make sure you’re on iOS 26.
  • Widget visibility: Confirm the widget is added to a stack and that you’re on the CarPlay widgets screen.
  • App initialization: Launch Dynamic Lyrics on your iPhone to activate background activity.
  • First-time delay: Lyrics may take a few seconds to load the first time a track plays.
  • Widget stability: If the widget rotates away, pin it at the top of the stack.
  • Where lyrics appear: Only on the CarPlay widgets page—not on the car’s native dashboard cluster.

Safety Notes

Scrolling text can be distracting for drivers. Use lyrics responsibly:

  • Best for passengers or parked use.
  • Some regions legally restrict moving text or video on vehicle screens.
  • Always prioritize road safety over on-screen lyrics.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

  • This solution depends on third-party support; future iOS updates or app changes could affect functionality.
  • Not every song offers synced lyrics.
  • Lyrics are displayed as informational widgets, not as a full karaoke view.
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Conclusion

With iOS 26, CarPlay finally supports live lyrics—thanks to Dynamic Lyrics. While Apple hasn’t brought native support to the Now Playing screen, this clever workaround lets Apple Music and Spotify users enjoy scrolling, time-synced lyrics directly on the widgets page. Setup only takes a few minutes, and once in place, it’s perfect for passengers and parked sing-alongs.

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