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OpenAI announced on social media today that it’s launching a voice-first ChatGPT experience in CarPlay, the popular Apple dashboard that many drivers use in their car’s infotainment system.
That means drivers with Apple CarPlay and supported iPhone models can now talk to ChatGPT Voice as they drive, bringing the AI chatbot on the road.
iPhone users will need to be running iOS 26.4 to activate the hands-free feature.
Step 1: Update your iPhone to iOS 26.4
Step 2: Update the ChatGPT app to the latest version available in the App Store.
Step 3: Connect your iPhone to Apple CarPlay
Step 4: Open ChatGPT and begin chatting
After connecting your iPhone to CarPlay, you can then open the ChatGPT app and start a new voice conversation or continue an existing chat.
However, the new ChatGPT Voice experience in CarPlay does have some notable limitations. Crucially, it can’t help you with navigation or act agentically.
According to an OpenAI help page, “It cannot access maps, vehicle information, or live location,” nor can it “control your car or affect other apps (for example, Maps or messaging apps like Mail or Slack).”
OpenAI also includes a safety warning for drivers on its help page. “Only use your mobile device when allowed by law and when conditions permit safe use. Set up the app before driving, rely on hands-free, voice-first features whenever possible, and avoid interacting with your device while the vehicle is in motion.”
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Topics Artificial Intelligence Cars ChatGPT
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men’s product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He’s currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
