iOS 26.4 adds a new category of CarPlay apps

Source: 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.

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 for safety reasons and because of design constraints in the CarPlay framework. Unlike iPhone apps, CarPlay apps must be built around Apple‑provided templates.

In the February 2026 edition of its CarPlay Developer Guide, Apple says that “voice‑based conversational apps” are now permitted in CarPlay (via MacRumors). The supported app categories are:

• 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. These apps should “optimize for voice interaction in the driving environment” and avoid showing text or imagery in query responses.

The important part is that adoption now depends on app developers. While iOS 26.4 adds the underlying support, it’s up to companies like OpenAI and Google to update their apps with CarPlay availability.

These apps won’t replace Siri in CarPlay. You’ll only be able to access something like ChatGPT by opening the dedicated ChatGPT app on your car’s infotainment screen.

Whether Google and OpenAI take advantage of this 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 voice‑based conversational apps, iOS 26.4 also continues to lay the groundwork for watching videos via CarPlay.