WhatsApp Brings a Visual, User Friendly Interface to CarPlay
In Focus
- The CarPlay update comes with dedicated chat history and recent calls tabs
- The new features are rolling out with WhatsApp version 26.13.74
- iPhones must run on the latest version of iOS to access the WhatsApp updates
Meta has released new WhatsApp CarPlay features and additional controls for iPhone users in a major update. According to PC Mag, the update comes with dedicated tabs for chat history, recent calls, and favorites. Previously, the WhatsApp experience on the Apple infotainment system had been limited to several Siri-powered features.
Why has Meta Updated WhatsApp CarPlay Features?
Apple’s CarPlay system is designed to make communication easier for drivers. The new WhatsApp CarPlay hands-free messaging feature allows users to interact with the messaging app on vehicle dashboards in a whole new way.
The WhatsApp in-car messaging features allow drivers to focus on the road without missing out on important messages. For instance, users can listen to incoming messages, send voice replies, and call contacts through the Apple infotainment system. Additionally, users can access chat lists, view recent chats, and even pick calls via the CarPlay interface.
Before the update, WhatsApp on CarPlay was heavily dependent on voice commands and usability was limited. The latest update brings a more visual aspect to the native Apple CarPlay app while maintaining the safety restrictions like limited message reading while driving.
How to Access WhatsApp on CarPlay
The process of accessing WhatsApp on CarPlay is simple and straightforward. Since the new WhatsApp features are rolling out with version 26.13.74 of the messaging app, users must ensure this version is installed on their iPhones. Their iPhones should also be running on the latest version of iOS.
To access the messaging app on CarPlay:
- Connect your iPhone to the car system via USB cable or wireless CarPlay
- Find the WhatsApp icon on the CarPlay dashboard
- Tap the icon to open the app
- Access recent chats, use voice commands, or listen to messages
Users can send messages by selecting ‘New Message’ on the homepage. They can state the contact they wish to reach then dictate the message. Apple’s AI assistant Siri will confirm the message by reading it out loud before sending.
To edit the message, select the ‘Change’ button. WhatsApp messaging capabilities could improve once the platform rolls out the scheduled message feature, which is undergoing testing in iOS beta via TestFlight.
Users can make calls by selecting contacts from the Calls or Favorites tab. For other contacts, users can select ‘Ask Siri to Make a Call” and mention the contact name. WhatsApp is rolling out the new CarPlay features in phases. The platform plans to make the features accessible to all iPhone users whose phones use the latest WhatsApp version in the coming days.
WhatsApp Update Aligns With Apple’s Efforts
The WhatsApp iPhone CarPlay integration update aligns well with Apple’s efforts to expand app functionality within the infotainment system. Apple started supporting third-party conversation apps on CarPlay when iOS 26.4 launched. OpenAI was among the first companies to place the ChatGPT app on the platform.
Recently, Google Meet has been added to CarPlay, allowing users to join meetings on audio only. WhatsApp had the upgrade in beta for several weeks and is now making it available to compatible devices globally.
