How to use WhatsApp in your car with CarPlay

Find out how to send messages, listen to new texts, and make calls over WhatsApp directly from your car’s screen using Apple CarPlay.

Even before this new update, you could use WhatsApp in your car in a limited form. But with the latest update, WhatsApp now has a full-fledged CarPlay-focused app that shows your chats, calls, and favorites in clear tabs.

Note: WhatsApp Business app still lacks these new features.

Step 1: Update WhatsApp

Since we’re talking about the new WhatsApp in CarPlay, start by opening the App Store on your iPhone and updating WhatsApp to its latest version.

Step 2: Show WhatsApp on your car’s screen

If WhatsApp doesn’t already appear in your car’s infotainment screen, follow these steps on your iPhone:

1. Open the iOS Settings app and tap General > CarPlay.
2. Select your car’s name under the My Car heading.
3. Tap Apps.
4. Tap the green plus button (+) before WhatsApp to add it to your list of apps shown on the car’s screen.

Step 3: Open WhatsApp on your car’s screen and take it for a spin

Start wired or wireless CarPlay through your iPhone running the latest version of iOS 26, which at the time of writing is iOS 26.4.2.

Then, open WhatsApp and you’ll find clear tabs for Chats, Calls, and Favorites.

Note: The interface may differ based on your car’s screen.

Step 4: Send WhatsApp message from CarPlay

Just like Apple Messages and other CarPlay apps, you cannot bring up an on-screen keyboard on your car’s screen and type a WhatsApp message, as it isn’t safe while driving. So, you can only send messages on WhatsApp from your car using your voice.

Here are two easy ways to do that.

I. Using Siri

Invoke Siri by saying Hey Siri or holding the voice assistant button on your car’s steering wheel or somewhere near the infotainment area. Then, ask it something along the lines of “Message ‘how are you’ to Ankur on WhatsApp.”

Note: If this is the first time you’re using WhatsApp with Siri, it will ask your permission, as shown in the screenshot below. Just tap Yes, and you won’t be bothered with this alert again in the future.

WhatsApp will transcribe your voice into a message, and then you can tap Send on the CarPlay screen or say ‘Send.’ You can also change the message (again using voice) or cancel the operation.

II. Using the app

1. Open WhatsApp in CarPlay and go through the Chats screen.
2. Tap the person’s name whom you want to message. If there is a blue dot before the name, it means you have unread texts from this person. Tapping their name will make Siri read the unread texts, and then you can reply. If there are no unread messages from this person (i.e., no blue dot), tapping their name directly activates Siri; simply speak what you want to message them.

Step 5: Make WhatsApp calls from CarPlay

Just like messages, you can ask Siri to “Call ‘wife’ on WhatsApp.” Or, follow these steps instead:

1. Open the WhatsApp app on your car’s screen and go to the Calls tab.
2. Tap a recent caller, and confirm by tapping the Call button.

Step 6: Listen to WhatsApp messages from CarPlay

Just ask Siri to “read my unread WhatsApp messages.” Or, follow these steps manually:

1. Open WhatsApp in your car.
2. Go to the Chats tab.
3. Tap Unread Messages at the top, and Siri will start reading your unopened messages. If you have no recent unread messages, this option will be grayed out.
4. You can also tap a name that has a blue dot to listen to their unopened message.

Step 7: Accept incoming WhatsApp calls in your car

When you get a WhatsApp call while driving (irrespective of whether the WhatsApp app is open on the car screen or not), the call will appear in a small pill-shaped notification like other regular phone calls. Just tap the green and red buttons to pick up or decline the call.

If you pick it up, a tiny green call pill will appear in your CarPlay’s Dock, as shown in the screenshot below. Tap it to see the call on the full screen. From there, use the Add button to add more participants and turn it into a group call.

Don’t get distracted by WhatsApp while driving

While it’s easy to use WhatsApp in your car, you mustn’t turn your head and get distracted by incoming messages and calls. If you find it isn’t useful or dangerously distracting, either turn off all WhatsApp notifications from showing on your car’s screen, or return to iPhone CarPlay settings and remove WhatsApp from the list of included apps.

More on CarPlay:

• How to use ChatGPT, Grok, and AI voice apps in CarPlay
• 17+ tips to use your iPhone with your car
• How to auto-open Maps when you connect to CarPlay