iOS 27 brings two new CarPlay audio features—a MiniPlayer and audio scrubbing—giving users playback controls without leaving app browsing screens.
The MiniPlayer replaces the top-right waveform shortcut with artwork plus play/pause and skip buttons, keeping basic controls visible outside the full Now Playing view.
Audio scrubbing also reaches CarPlay for the first time, with a larger playhead that supports tap-and-drag navigation through songs, podcasts and audiobooks.
Apple says the changes apply to its own apps such as Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, and should extend to third-party audio apps like Spotify and Overcast after iOS 27 updates.