Apple will allow third-party AI chatbots including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini in CarPlay within months, according to Bloomberg reports. The move marks Apple's first opening of its vehicle interface to external voice assistants.
Drivers will access OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini through dedicated CarPlay apps. Users must manually open their preferred chatbot app before starting voice conversations, as Siri retains its wake word and dashboard button position.
Third-party AI apps will launch voice-based chat modes automatically when opened, streamlining the hands-free experience.
The apps cannot control vehicle functions or iPhone operations, limiting them to question-and-answer interactions.
Apple reportedly plans the rollout to coincide with its smarter Siri update scheduled for this year. The company announced in January that Google Gemini will power an enhanced version of Siri, with full chatbot capabilities arriving in iOS 27.
CarPlay currently supports limited third-party apps but restricts voice assistant options to Siri. The new integration follows months of customer requests for more capable AI assistants during driving.
Developers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google will create CarPlay-specific app versions with voice control modes. Apple's approach maintains Siri as the default assistant while expanding user choice for complex queries.
The company is working to support the AI chatbot apps in CarPlay "within the coming months," according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity. Apple has not officially announced the feature.
Some drivers previously used workarounds like syncing AI app shortcut widgets from iPhone to CarPlay. The native integration eliminates these manual setups while keeping Siri's core functionality intact.
Apple's updated Siri will gain a "World Knowledge Answers" feature this year, adding ChatGPT-like web search abilities and information summarization tools. The enhanced assistant will answer complex questions and complete multi-step tasks.
Third-party AI integration arrives as Apple prepares iOS 26, which rolled out in September with widgets and the Liquid Glass interface. The company continues expanding CarPlay compatibility, with major holdouts now working to support the feature, following Google's expansion of Gemini AI to Android Auto earlier this year.
