Using iOS 26 CarPlay? Here’s why you’re probably not getting Messages notifications anymore

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A privacy feature is the culprit

iOS 26 CarPlay Messages.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

If you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 26, I bet you’re enjoying all the new features and visual makeover it offers with Liquid Glass. I’ve been using the final version ever since Apple released it a couple weeks ago just ahead with the iPhone 17 launch, but I’ve found something odd two weeks in with CarPlay.

Apple’s car infotainment software gets some changes that address many of the issues I’ve had previously with CarPlay. Not only does the new Liquid Glass material design language give CarPlay a face lift, but other new additions like Live Activities and new widgets make things way more functional than ever before.

However, I’ve noticed something strange happen ever since I upgraded my iPhone 16 Pro Max to the public release of iOS 26. The Messages app disappeared and I didn’t realize it until recently. If you're facing the same issue, here's what's going on.

Apps don’t appear if App Lock is enabled

iOS 26 CarPlay Messages.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

After restarting my iPhone and pairing it again to my vehicle to access CarPlay, the Messages app was still not showing up. I was going mad at this point and thought to myself that I needed to perform a hard reset on my iPhone, but I eventually found the culprit — the App Lock feature.

App Lock debuted with iOS 18, but I only recently enabled Face ID lock with my Messages app. Apparently this causes the app to not show up in CarPlay for obvious reasons, as the only way to access and run the app is to perform a Face ID unlock each time.

Other apps are also affected in this way, so if you absolutely need them in CarPlay, you’ll need to disable App Lock on those apps. There’s unfortunately no work-around for this.

Disabling App Lock is pretty simple and requires you to perform a long press on the Messages app on your home screen. If you’ve already enabled App Lock via Face ID (or Pass Code), you’ll see the option for “Don’t Require Face ID.”

Why you should disable App Lock with Messages

Disabling Face ID unlock with iOS 26 CarPlay Messages.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

Although I was initially torn about disabling App Lock with Messages, the way CarPlay handles Messages notifications while I’m driving is superb. That’s why I ended up disabling App Lock altogether because of how well Siri announces messages politely. Instead of announcing them right away, Siri will ask if I’d like to hear them first — and then proceed to let me know if I’d like to reply.

I’m really impressed by how accurately Siri transcribes my messages because it’s been 100% accurate with my responses, which are spoken back to me to make sure everything's correct. And of course, it’s all done in a way that doesn’t take my attention away from the road ahead of me — which is the biggest reason I’m willing to disable App Lock.

Apple should come up with a fix for this

iOS 26 beta CarPlay screenshots.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

While this is my solution for the interim, I really hope that Apple can somehow address this issue with CarPlay and App Lock. Perhaps it could ask for an additional Face Unlock permission when my iPhone connects to CarPlay? That way, it could at least continue to relay Messages notifications while I’m driving instead of ignoring them altogether.

It’s still tough because the premise of App Lock is to require Face ID each and every time an app is accessed on your phone. I really hate missing important messages while I’m driving, which took me a couple of weeks to realize. I thought I must’ve put my phone on silent mode or something. But I guess not, because App Lock has been the culprit all this time.

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John Velasco
John Velasco
Senior Channel Editor for Phones

John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.

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