Apple Opens CarPlay to ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude with iOS 26.4 Update

Apple May Be Adding Support for Conversational AI in CarPlay

The guidelines indicate that AI companies like Google or OpenAI will need to create an interface that shows the conversational AI is listening in CarPlay, and then "appropriately respond to questions or requests and perform actions." Support is expected to arrive in March with the release of iOS 26.4, which is currently in beta. Companies that want to participate will have to jump through all the usual Apple hoops to qualify for CarPlay. An Apple representative didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Apple has limited what apps work with CarPlay, partially to help keep drivers focused and undistracted. Siri commands were enabled under certain circumstances, but that was all. With iOS 26.4 and the new conversational AI support, drivers could potentially have more in-depth conversations, but with a few significant limitations. First, Apple won't be enabling wake words, meaning drivers will have to use their dashboard controls to open the AI app before they start talking. CarPlay apps must also be designed for "voice interaction in the driving environment," and can't show text or images in response to your questions, unlike your usual use of AI chatbots. Also, Apple makes it clear that these apps won't be able to control your vehicle, your iPhone or related devices. So you're limited to the basic chatbot conversation, which could let you brainstorm ideas for dinner, vent about your work day or ponder the great questions of the universe. Just don't ask for home security advice and never use them for therapy, medical diagnoses, financial advice, tax planning and more.

iOS 26.4 adds support for a new category of CarPlay apps - 9to5Mac

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that Apple was preparing to update CarPlay with support for voice-based interactions in AI apps like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. As of this week's release of iOS 26.4 beta 1, that support has officially arrived. Here's how it works. For those unfamiliar, Apple limits the types of apps that are allowed in CarPlay. This is done for safety reasons, as well as design limitations of Apple's CarPlay framework. Unlike iPhone apps, CarPlay apps must be built around Apple-provided templates within the CarPlay framework. In the February 2026 edition of its CarPlay Developer Guide, Apple says that "voice-based conversational apps" are now permitted in CarPlay (via MacRumors). Here's the full list of supported app categories: "Voice-based conversational apps must have a primary modality of voice upon launch; and after launch, appropriately respond to questions or requests and perform actions," Apple explains. Apple says that these apps should "optimize for voice interaction in the driving environment" and not show things like text and imagery in query responses. The important part here, however, is that this will acquire adoption from app developers. While Apple has added underlying support for these types of apps in CarPlay with iOS 26.4, it is up to companies like OpenAI and Google to actually update their apps with CarPlay availability. Additionally, these apps won't replace Siri in CarPlay. You'll only be able to access something like ChatGPT in CarPlay by opening the dedicated ChatGPT app on your car's infotainment screen. Whether or not Google and OpenAI take advantage of this opportunity remains to be seen. OpenAI currently offers native ChatGPT apps for Mac and iPhone, while Google has a native Gemini app for iPhone. In addition to support for voice-based conversational apps, iOS 26.4 also continues to lay the groundwork for watching videos via CarPlay.

iOS 26.4 Brings CarPlay Support for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini

With iOS 26.4, CarPlay users will be able to use third-party chatbots with CarPlay. AI services like Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT will be accessible through the CarPlay system for the first time. Apple's CarPlay Developer Guide [PDF] lists voice-based conversational apps as a supported app type starting with iOS 26.4. Apple is implementing a new voice control screen that will let apps provide visual feedback for voice-based conversational apps. AI apps that integrate CarPlay will need to add support for the voice control screen while voice-based services are active. There is a specific entitlement for voice-based conversational apps, and companies that make chatbots will need to update their apps to add CarPlay support. CarPlay has long supported third-party apps, but Apple limits the kinds of apps that are available to ensure drivers aren't distracted while in their vehicles. Companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google were not able to create CarPlay apps before now, limiting CarPlay users to Siri voice controls while in the vehicle. The new integration will let CarPlay users access voice-based apps like ChatGPT to ask questions hands-free, but the apps will not be able to control vehicle or iPhone functions. There also won't be a wake word option to activate a third-party app, so users will still need to open the app to use the chatbot. After an app is launched, the customizable voice control screen will give users vehicle-optimized chatbot experiences. iOS 26.4 is in beta right now, and it is expected to see a release this spring.

Apple Is Adding ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to CarPlay in iOS 26.4

While developers can make CarPlay apps for their AI assistants, the assistants can't control any of the car's functions. When Apple released the first beta for iOS 26.4 this week, testers immediately got to work looking for each and every new feature and change. To their credit, there's more new here than in iOS 26.3, including an AI playlist generator for Apple Music and support for end-to-end encryption with RCS (finally). But one update slipped under the radar, since it's not actually available to test in this first beta: CarPlay support for AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. As spotted by MacRumors, CarPlay's Developer Guide spills the beans on this upcoming integration. On page 13, the entitlement "CarPlay voice-based conversational app" is listed with a minimum iOS version of iOS 26.4. While it doesn't specifically mention integrations with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, the documentation does suggest that voice-based conversational apps are a supported app type in iOS 26.4. As such, MacRumors is reporting that companies that make chatbots (i.e. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google) will need to update their apps to work with CarPlay. According to MacRumors, drivers will be able to ask apps like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini questions while on the road, but they won't be able to control functions of the car or the driver's iPhone. You also won't be able to use a "wake word" to activate the assistant (e.g. "Hey ChatGPT," or "OK, Gemini"), so you'll need to tap on the app itself to talk to the assistant. Apple is issuing guidance to developers on how to implement these assistants in CarPlay starting with this latest update. On page seven, Apple notes that voice-based conversational apps must only work when voice features are actively being used, and avoid showing text or imagery when responding to queries. It's the first time Apple is allowing developers of "voice-based conversational" apps to develop for CarPlay. While the company has allowed other developers to make apps for its in-car experience, it has obviously put limitations on what types of apps can get through. It makes sense for Google to develop a Google Maps CarPlay app, but TikTok has no business offering drivers a CarPlay-version of its algorithm. This addition is coming to iOS 26.4, but likely in a future beta. Don't install the beta at this time expecting to try this feature out -- though, you should think twice before installing the beta at all. Betas like iOS 26.4 are temperamental, as Apple is currently testing the software for bugs and stability issues. By installing it early, you risk dealing with those issues, which could impact how you use your iPhone, or even result in data loss.