iOS 26.4 Beta Adds CarPlay Support for Voice AI Apps Like ChatGPT and Gemini

Apple has introduced a new "voice-based conversational apps" category for CarPlay in the first beta of iOS 26.4, adding a dedicated entitlement that allows developers to bring voice-first conversational services to the car. The change paves the way for apps built around platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini to run natively on the CarPlay dashboard.



The updated CarPlay Developer Guide confirms that the new entitlement requires a minimum of iOS 26.4. Developers must use a specialized Voice Control template that provides visual feedback while the assistant is listening or processing a request. To reduce driver distraction, Apple requires that these apps use voice as the primary interaction method and avoid showing text or imagery in response to queries.


This move aligns with reports from earlier this month that Apple was preparing to allow third-party AI voice apps in CarPlay. Until now, drivers who wanted to use advanced chatbots had to rely on workarounds such as Siri Shortcuts or routing audio through the car's speakers over Bluetooth. The new framework enables a dedicated dashboard interface, though strict limitations remain. Most notably, these apps cannot function as the system-wide assistant. Users must manually launch them from the CarPlay home screen rather than activating them with a wake word or steering wheel button.

While opening CarPlay to competing platforms, Apple is also advancing its own AI strategy. The company recently confirmed a partnership to use Google's Gemini models to power parts of its next-generation Siri experience. That integration operates at the system level. The new CarPlay entitlement, by contrast, allows third-party developers to ship standalone voice experiences that run independently within CarPlay.

Safety and audio management are central to the new guidelines. Apple specifies that conversational apps may only hold an active audio session while voice features are actively in use. This prevents a chatbot from blocking other audio sources, such as music or the vehicle's FM radio, when it is idle. The interface also supports up to four action buttons, allowing for quick inputs without requiring deep navigation.

Developers can begin implementing support now using the new entitlement. iOS 26.4 is currently in developer beta and is expected to be released to the public later this spring.


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