Find out how to send messages, listen to new texts, and make calls via WhatsApp directly on your car’s screen using Apple CarPlay.
Even before this new update, you can use WhatsApp in your car in a limited form. But with the latest update, WhatsApp now has a full CarPlay-focused app that displays your chats, calls, and favorites in clear tabs.
Note: The WhatsApp Business app does not have these new features.
Step 1: Update WhatsApp
Since we are talking about the new WhatsApp in CarPlay, first open the App Store on your iPhone and update WhatsApp to its latest version.
Step 2: Display WhatsApp on your car screen
If WhatsApp doesn’t appear on your car’s infotainment screen, follow these steps on your iPhone:
- Open iOS Settings app and press General > CarPlay.
- Select your vehicle name under My Car the subject.
- Tap Applications.
- Tap the green plus (+) button on the front WhatsApp to add it to your list of apps displayed on the car screen.
Step 3: Open WhatsApp on your car screen and take it to turn it on
Start wired or wireless CarPlay with 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 will get clear tabs Discussions, Phone callsagain Favorites.
Note: The interface may vary based on your vehicle’s screen.
Step 4: Send a WhatsApp message from CarPlay
Like Apple Messages and other CarPlay apps, you can’t bring up the on-screen keyboard on your car’s screen and type a WhatsApp message, as it’s not 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
Ask Siri by saying Hey Siri or hold the voice assistant button on your car’s steering wheel or somewhere near the infotainment center. Then, ask something along the lines of “Message’how are you‘be Ankur on WhatsApp.”
Be careful: If this is the first time you are using WhatsApp with Siri, it will ask for your permission, as shown in the screenshot below. Just tap Yesand you won’t have to worry about this warning again in the future.
WhatsApp will transcribe your voice into a message, then you can tap Submit on the CarPlay screen or say ‘Send.’ You can also change the message (also using voice) or cancel the operation.
II. Using the app
- Open it WhatsApp in CarPlay and pass Discussions the screen.
- Tap the name of the person you want to send a message to. If there is a green dot before the name, then you have unread texts from this person. Tapping their name will make Siri read the unread text, and you can reply. If there are no unread messages from this person (ie, no green dot), tapping their name directly activates Siri; just say what you want to message them.
Step 5: Make WhatsApp calls from CarPlay
As with messages, you can ask Siri to “callthe wife‘ on WhatsApp.” Or, follow these steps instead:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your car screen and go to Phone calls tab.
- Touch the recent caller, and confirm by tapping the button Make a phone call button.
Step 6: Listen to WhatsApp messages from CarPlay
Just ask Siri “read my unread WhatsApp messages.” Or, follow these steps by doing:
- Open it WhatsApp in your car.
- Go to Discussions tab.
- Tap Unread Messages up, and Siri will start reading your unopened messages. If you have no recent unread messages, this option will be grayed out.
- You can also tap a word with blue dot listening to their unopened message.
Step 7: Receive incoming WhatsApp calls on your car
If you receive a WhatsApp call while driving (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 calls. Just tap the green and red buttons to answer or reject the call.
When you lift it up, a small green pill will appear on your CarPlay Dock, as shown in the screenshot below. Tap to see the call in full screen. From there, use the Add button to add more participants and make it a group call.
Don’t be distracted by WhatsApp while driving
While it’s easy to use WhatsApp in your car, you don’t have to turn your head and be distracted by incoming messages and calls. If you find it useless or dangerously distracting, turn off all WhatsApp notifications from showing on your car screen, or go back to the iPhone CarPlay settings and remove WhatsApp from the list of installed apps.
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