Polestar 2 Software Update Brings Wave of New Apple CarPlay Features

Swedish automaker Polestar today announced that it is releasing a software update to all existing Polestar 2 vehicles to add new Apple CarPlay features, including full-screen Apple Maps in the driver display.

polestar 2 carplay
Polestar and its parent brand Volvo, which announced this update a couple of weeks ago, appear to be the second automaker to support display of ‌Apple Maps‌ and navigation information projected from ‌CarPlay‌ in the driver display. BMW was the first automaker to include the extended CarPlay feature in its Polestar 2 rival, the BMW i4, in 2021.

Some vehicles with Apple ‌CarPlay‌ already feature limited turn-by-turn directional information fed from ‌Apple Maps‌ on the driver display, but full integration of ‌Apple Maps‌ into the instrument cluster is still very uncommon.

The P2.9 over-the-air update also brings additional phone and media information from Apple ‌CarPlay‌ to to the Polestar 2's home screen tile, support for managing phone calls in Apple ‌CarPlay‌ using the steering wheel buttons, and projection of calls in the driver display.

In addition, the update includes improvements to Polestar's Range Assistant app and the introduction of an integrated YouTube app. The new ‌CarPlay‌ experience and the YouTube app will be installed by default on all newly produced cars.

Apple ‌CarPlay‌ in the Polestar 2 remains wired only, with no support for wireless ‌CarPlay‌. The Polestar 2 also does not support Apple's EV routing and state of charge integration features, as offered on the Ford Mustang Mach E and Porsche Taycan.

Update: Updated to note that Volvo also announced these features with the same software version.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 Brings AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Devices in EU Under DMA

Monday December 22, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
The European Commission today praised the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3, once again crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with bringing "new opportunities" to European users and developers. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple's own products get. In iOS...
iphone fold 3d print

Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy

Tuesday December 23, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), ...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...

Top Rated Comments

NotAdvisable Avatar
34 months ago
I'm going to say it...

... I wish Tesla did this.

I've loved using Tesla's built-in navigation system - I truly think it's industry leading - but Apple's CarPlay truly ties in everything from an iPhone into a car. Have also had some slight issues with Spotify on Tesla, and it would be great to at least have more than one option available.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
34 months ago
This is such great news for the half-dozen or so people who have one. :cool:
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApplePhy Avatar
34 months ago
I've had my long range dual motor Polestar 2 for 1.5 years now, and I absolutely love it.

Minimalist, Scandinavian design inside and out.
Driving dynamics are so fun, the thing handles so well.

Didn't have to deal with dealerships, as you purchase your car on the website (no dealer markups, no BS), direct to consumer.

It's also a hatch, so love the functionality of it as well. Ground clearance is pretty good at 5.9inches (actually more than a Mach E).

And for those that love OPD (one pedal drive), it has the strongest one in the business, and brake calibration/integration is also the best in the business.

I was so waiting for CarPlay to arrive a few OTA updates ago, but honestly i rarely use it. the car's integration with AAOS is so good that i prefer the system's native OS. 'Hey Google' works so much better than SIRI, and is so well integrated into the car's system. Not to mention google maps gives an excellent range estimate on destinations, and % left on return.

I might give it a go after OTA 2.9, now that the maps display is in the driver information display behind the steering wheel, but really happy with AAOS.



Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ersan191 Avatar
34 months ago
Man, my next car might be a Polestar instead of a Tesla at this rate.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6787872 Avatar
34 months ago
better than junky, buggy tesla software.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nathan_reilly Avatar
34 months ago

Volvo announced this before Polestar, making Volvo the second maker to include this and Polestar the third.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/volvo-releases-software-version-29-with-huge-carplay-news-215094.html
this is all well and good, and Polestar may argue the point, but Volvo = Polestar. Its just rebranding!

Edit: just for more fun facts, in 2009 there was a "Volvo C30 Polestar Concept"
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)