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.
iOS 26.4 adds support for voice-based AI apps to CarPlay
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:
- Audio apps
- Communication apps (SiriKit Messaging or VoIP Calling)
- Driving task apps
- EV charging apps
- Fueling apps
- Navigation apps (route guidance with turn-by-turn directions)
- Parking apps
- Public safety apps
- Quick food ordering apps
- Voice-based conversational apps
“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.
My favorite CarPlay accessories
- Charge your EV with solar panels
- iOttie Easy One Touch iPhone Car Mount
- Bring wireless CarPlay to any car
- Belkin MagSafe-compatible Car Charger for iPhone
- CarpodGo Portable Wireless CarPlay Screen
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