CarPlay Now Supports ChatGPT, Claude and Other AI Chatbots by Voice

To use the chatbots, Engadget said the iPhone must run iOS 26.4 or later. Users can check by going to Settings, General and Software Update, then install any available update. They should also open the App Store, tap the profile icon at the top-right, choose App Updates, swipe down to refresh, and choose Update All to make sure they have the latest versions of installed AI apps.

For safety while driving, CarPlay-compatible AI tools only work through voice commands. Most of them let users jump back into an existing conversation from another device. ChatGPT, the most popular bot, appears on the CarPlay Home Screen if it is already installed on the iPhone. If not, it can be downloaded free from the App Store, as can the other apps. With the iPhone connected to the car, users can tap the ChatGPT icon on CarPlay and select New Voice Chat, then speak naturally when the app indicates it is listening.

Other options include Perplexity, Meta AI, Grok and Anthropic's Claude. When opening any of the apps in CarPlay, users can start a new chat or pick up where they left off, all with voice. For Siri AI, users can try the 'Hey Siri' command if it is available in the car. The bots can answer questions such as suggestions on what to do at the destination, and they can be a form of entertainment when driving alone. Engadget noted that AI is not perfect and answers are not always correct, so users should double-check. It also said some conversations can be distracting and are better left for home.

Newly compatible CarPlay apps are added to the end of the home screen by default. To customize the display, users can go on the iPhone to Settings, General and CarPlay, select their car, then choose Apps. There they can drag apps to rearrange them and use the red minus icon to remove any they do not use.

The chatbots have some inconvenient limitations. Users cannot access them with a wake word like Siri; they need to open their apps to start talking. The bots also cannot control anything in the car or inside other apps. How well they understand voice commands depends on the quality of the car's microphones. If there is too much noise or the microphones are poor, chatbots might not understand what is being said. Closing windows can reduce outside noise, or users can try the apps while parked. If trouble continues, Engadget suggested trying the chatbot in another vehicle to see if the problem is specific to one car.

These chatbots should not be used for navigation because they do not have access to real-time location or a mapping service. Users can ask for suggestions on places to visit, but the bots cannot guide them there. The only chatbot that can do this is Siri AI, since it integrates with Apple Maps. The apps also need an internet connection. A weak signal, or lack of one, is the main reason they will stop working as a driver moves.

Editor's Summary

CarPlay now supports ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Meta AI and Grok through voice commands, following an API introduced in iOS 26.4. Users need updated iPhones and apps, and the tools cannot be accessed with a wake word, control vehicle functions or provide navigation except through Siri AI. The feature expands in-car access to AI chatbots but requires reliable connectivity and careful use while driving.