Find out how to set up and use ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, and other AI apps in your car with Apple CarPlay.
If you own a Tesla or follow it on social media, you’ve likely come across videos showing the Grok AI voice assistant answering questions, setting up navigation, alerting about location-based reminders, and more, all with just a simple ask. Now, Grok can do all this because it is integrated with Tesla’s operating system. Some automakers are also getting involved by planning to add some form of AI voice assistance (like ChatGPT) to their cars’ infotainment systems.
In case you don’t have a Tesla, you can still use these AI voice apps in your car, but these apps will only serve as a conversational tool to answer your questions. It won’t be able to set up navigation or do anything else.
How to set up and use ChatGPT, Grok, and Perplexity in your car
It involves four simple steps.
Step 1: Download or update AI apps on your iPhone
The first thing you should do is install your favorite AI app on your iPhone. In case you already have the app, go to the iOS App Store and update it to the latest version. Until now, ChatGPT, Grokagain Confusion CarPlay support. Google Gemini and Meta’s AI are not supported.
Step 2: Allow microphone access
When you use an AI app for the first time in your car, it will ask you to stop driving and allow microphone access to your iPhone. So, follow these steps to do it in advance.
- Open the ChatGPT, Grok, or Perplexity app on your iPhone. Sign in if needed.
- Tap that word or microphone icon and allow the app to use the microphone.
- Now you can close the app here.
Step 3: Display the AI app on your car screen
When you download a new iOS app to your iPhone that also has a version of CarPlay, it automatically starts showing up on your car’s screen. However, you can be sure by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and press General > CarPlay.
- Tap yours the name of the car.
- Tap Applications.
- Tap the green the merge button before the name of the AI application you want to display on your car’s screen. In case you don’t see other apps (like Grok or Perplexity) here, go ahead and start CarPlay, and it will appear on your car’s screen.
Step 4: Use AI voice applications in your car
With everything set up, start wired or wireless CarPlay with your iPhone. Then open the preferred AI voice app on your car screen, press ‘new voice chat‘ button, and ask your question.
I tested ChatGPT, Grok, and Perplexity in CarPlay.
All three work about the same, but the Grok looked the best on the tiny 7-inch infotainment screen in my car. It also allows you to choose another voice and usually works very reliably. In addition, its large, clear icons are easy to tap while driving.
All three apps will save your interactions and display them on the app’s home screen next time.
Unlike Grok at Tesla and other built-in car voice systems, you can’t invoke any of these CarPlay AI apps by simply saying “Hey name” hotword. This is due to the lack of deep software integration.
iOS 26 also supports CarPlay widgets, and you can add a ChatGPT or Grok widget to your car’s dashboard. Tapping the widget will take you directly to the CarPlay version of the specified app.
What will you use these voice assistants in your car?
Also, check out: