This post is from the WWDC26 CarPlay Q&A.
We've observed inconsistent behavior when users interact with CarPlay via physical hardware controls (rotary knobs, d-pads, and physical buttons) on various head units:
- Focus navigation through grid and list items can behave unpredictably when using the rotary encoder, particularly when scrolling through sections with mixed item types or transitioning between sections.
- Selection via the physical button/knob press sometimes does not register on the expected item, especially after rapid scrolling.
- Hardware back/menu button behavior doesn't always align with the template navigation stack in certain edge cases.
Are there known issues with hardware control input handling in the current CarPlay SDK, particularly with grid templates?
Are there best practices we should be implementing to improve hardware control responsiveness?
Hi,
Please file a bug report. CarPlay apps can't control the flow of focus, so the best thing to do is to file and follow up. We are aware of some issues and can provide updates in your bug report.
Rico
CarPlayFrameworks Engineer
