Apple's iOS 26.4 Brings Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini to CarPlay

The change arrives with the first beta of iOS 26.4, which introduces a new, officially sanctioned category for "voice-based conversational apps" within Apple's CarPlay framework. According to a February 2026 update to Apple’s CarPlay Developer Guide, obtained by MacRumors, these apps are now formally permitted alongside established categories like navigation and audio. This marks a significant policy shift for Apple, which has historically maintained strict control over the types of applications allowed on the in-car interface for safety and design consistency.

The integration is built with a driver’s focus squarely in mind. As detailed by Apple, these new apps must have a primary modality of voice from the moment they are launched. The guidelines state that they must "appropriately respond to questions or requests and perform actions" while optimizing for the driving environment. Crucially, this means responses will be auditory, with Apple explicitly instructing developers to avoid displaying text or imagery in query responses to minimize distraction. This design ensures the experience remains hands-free and eyes-on-the-road, a core tenet of CarPlay's philosophy.

However, the presence of Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini on your dashboard is not automatic. While iOS 26.4 lays the necessary groundwork, the onus is now on developers at OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic to update their applications with CarPlay support. This means users will have to wait for these companies to build and release compatible versions of their chatbot apps before the feature becomes a reality. It is a collaborative next step that must be taken before drivers can choose their preferred AI.

This new capability does not signal the end of Siri’s reign in the car. According to 9to5Mac, these third-party chatbots will not replace Apple’s native assistant. Instead, they will exist as separate, optional apps that a user must select. Siri will remain the default voice interface for core system functions, with the new AI apps acting as specialized tools for more complex queries that a user might prefer to route through a different service. The move effectively turns CarPlay into a multi-assistant platform, offering drivers a choice they’ve never had before.

The update represents a notable opening of Apple’s walled garden, acknowledging the burgeoning role of advanced AI in daily life and, now, on the road. By creating a safe, voice-first framework for their inclusion, Apple is allowing competition onto its dashboard without ceding control over the safety-centric user experience. The ball is now in the court of AI developers to bring their best conversational models to the driver's seat.