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WhatsApp Debuts Native CarPlay App in iOS Beta

The move signals WhatsApp’s push to replace Siri-only limits in cars with a simple, built-for-driving interface.

Overview

  • WhatsApp’s in-car app reached iOS beta testers on Monday through Apple’s TestFlight program.
  • The CarPlay interface adds Chats, Calls, and Favorites tabs that let drivers start messages or calls from the dashboard.
  • This is a shift from the old setup that only used Siri on CarPlay, giving users a touch UI to pick recent chats or contacts.
  • Coverage differs on whether full message threads open inside CarPlay, with WABetaInfo reporting the beta blocks that to reduce distraction.
  • As a test build, features may change before a wider App Store release, fitting a broader device push that recently added Apple Watch and Garmin support.