WhatsApp Messenger Now Officially Supports Apple CarPlay - MacRumors
Skip to Content

WhatsApp Messenger Now Officially Supports Apple CarPlay

The latest update to WhatsApp Messenger has added support for Apple's CarPlay in-vehicle connectivity system, according to Dutch tech blog iCulture. Previously in-car WhatsApp access was only possible using the app's Siri integration, but the advantage of the new official CarPlay support is that users can also receive WhatsApp push messages while driving.

With version 2.18.2 of the app installed on an iPhone connected to CarPlay, WhatsApp automatically appears as one of the icons on the CarPlay dash interface.

whatsapp carplay melding

Image via iCulture

The new CarPlay integration means that Siri will notify in-vehicle users when they have received new WhatsApp messages and offer to read them out loud one by one. Users can also send WhatsApp messages by specifying to Siri who it is they wish to contact, then dictating the message. Siri will recount the dictated message to confirm, after which the user has the option to edit the message or send it on its way.

Apple's own Messages app has been a feature of CarPlay since the vehicle dash system was launched. CarPlay users are able to play back audio-based iMessages, have text messages spoken out loud to them, and also compose them using Siri. The difference with WhatsApp in CarPlay, according to iCulture, is that it doesn't enable the user to browse through a list of chat conversations.

WhatsApp is a free download for iPhone from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

carplay chatgpt 2

OpenAI Brings ChatGPT to CarPlay for Hands-Free Voice Conversations

Tuesday March 31, 2026 12:34 pm PDT by
OpenAI has updated ChatGPT with support for CarPlay, which means CarPlay users can now ask ChatGPT questions and make requests directly from their vehicle dashboard. Apple began allowing third-party voice-based conversational apps to interface with CarPlay in iOS 26.4, but apps need to implement the feature and get a special entitlement from Apple. For the ChatGPT app and other apps...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple CarPlay Just Got Three Popular iPhone Apps

Saturday April 4, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
Apple's CarPlay system for accessing iPhone apps on a vehicle's dashboard screen received three popular apps this week: ChatGPT, Google Meet, and Audiomack. CarPlay Ultra in an Aston Martin In addition, WhatsApp is beta testing a revamped CarPlay app that will improve upon the basic Siri-based functionality that was previously available. Make sure you have the latest version of each app...
whatsapp carplay

WhatsApp Gets New CarPlay App

Tuesday April 7, 2026 4:32 pm PDT by
Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp was today updated with expanded support for CarPlay. CarPlay users are able to more easily call and message their friends and family members in WhatsApp directly from the car interface. WhatsApp had CarPlay integration before, but with limited Siri-based functionality. The new app has a full native CarPlay interface with a list of recent chats and call...

Top Rated Comments

108 months ago
Changelog shows ‘Bug fixes.’
Is there a reason why all the major app developers seem to be intent on not announcing new features and instead must write ‘bug fixes’ for every release?

This should be banned by Apple as it is misleading to the user.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
108 months ago
I see more car crashes coming.
Happy texting during driving.
And NO Siri does not make things better.

Anyway, texting(with or without Siri & Co.) during driving should lead to a permanent driving license suspension.
you should also not be able to do handsfree phone calls then. or talk to anyone sitting next to you in the car.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
108 months ago
People love to blame technology for bad driving. It’s an easy out. But the fact is that everyday I see people tailgating, not using turn signals, speeding well beyond the limits, cutting people off, blaring horns, tons of aggressive driving…
Well Siri sucks, but I didn’t blame the tech, i blamed the laws thats allows it to be used while driving.
When people drive, they should only drive, not smoke, not eat, not drink, nor unnecessarily with gadgets, etc.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Swampthing Avatar
108 months ago
I see more car crashes coming.
Happy texting during driving.
And NO Siri does not make things better.

Anyway, texting(with or without Siri & Co.) during driving should lead to a permanent driving license suspension.
People love to blame technology for bad driving. It’s an easy out.

But the fact is that everyday I see people tailgating, not using turn signals, speeding well beyond the limits, cutting people off, blaring horns, tons of aggressive driving…

All of these things were being done before we had distractions. And they are all still being done now. How about we take more responsibility for our actions on the road rather than blaming technology?
[doublepost=1517227010][/doublepost]
It's version 2.18.20, not 2.18.2.
You DO realize that’s the same number, right? :rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
108 months ago
I see more car crashes coming.
Happy texting during driving.
And NO Siri does not make things better.

Anyway, texting(with or without Siri & Co.) during driving should lead to a permanent driving license suspension.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
108 months ago
Where's the iPad app? It's 2018.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)