Apple CarPlay, one of the most popular iPhone integrations in the car system, is constantly expanding to offer drivers not only navigation, but also advanced artificial intelligence features. On September 11, 2026, 9to5Mac reported that Microsoft Copilot has become the sixth major AI chatbot partner that can work in the CarPlay environment. This news not only enriches the CarPlay ecosystem, but also highlights the only major drawback - Google Gemini, which has not been included in the platform until now.
Copilot integration and technical requirements
Microsoft Copilot, as an iPhone app, now supports CarPlay, but this is only valid for devices with iOS 26.4 or later. This version requires a subscription to use the chatbot while driving. Copilot works by voice, mirroring the conversation history from the main iPhone app, including text-based threaded entries. This allows drivers to access the same information they would normally view on their phone, hands-free, but safely through the car’s audio system.
Other AI chatbots on the CarPlay platform
With the addition of Copilot, Apple CarPlay now offers six major AI chatbot options: Siri AI (for iOS 27, which is officially out of beta at the time), OpenAI ChatGPT, Perplexity, SpaceXAI Grok, Meta AI, and Anthropic Claude. These tools give drivers the ability to get quick answers, plan routes, translate text, or even generate content right from the car's screen, without taking their eyes off the road.
Google Gemini – the last big release
While the CarPlay ecosystem is growing rapidly, Google Gemini remains the only major AI chatbot shortcoming so far. 9to5Mac points out that „the addition of Copilot leaves Google Gemini as the last major exception in this space.“ This suggests that Google is not yet ready or has not chosen to integrate its Gemini into CarPlay, despite the fact that Gemini is already available for Windows 11 and macOS platforms, as Windows Central (2026‑09‑11) points out. This information suggests that Google may be choosing a different strategic direction or facing technical challenges related to the integration of car systems.
What does this move mean for Microsoft?
Microsoft has been heavily investing in Copilot and other AI solutions in recent years, as revealed by Fortune (2026-09-11). The company’s leadership changes, including the merger of the Copilot team following Satya Nadella’s reorganization, indicate that Microsoft is looking to consolidate AI services across platforms. The integration of Copilot into CarPlay is a natural extension of this strategy, allowing Microsoft to reach an even larger user base, especially in the automotive sector, where demand for AI assistants is constantly growing.
Prospects and possible future changes
While Apple plans to release iOS 27 with an official Siri AI, which will still be in beta and rolling out in stages, the CarPlay platform already offers a wide range of AI tools. This allows drivers to choose which assistant best suits their needs, from Apple’s native Siri AI to third-party solutions like Copilot or ChatGPT. Google Gemini, while not currently included, could join in the future if the company decides to expand its ecosystem into the automotive space.
Conclusion
Microsoft Copilot joining Apple CarPlay marks a significant step forward in the integration of AI assistants into automotive systems. Not only does it give drivers more choice, it also highlights that Google Gemini still remains the only major exception on this platform. Further integrations and potential updates are eagerly awaited as AI becomes an increasingly important element not only in phones but also in the vehicle ecosystem.
Sources
- 9to5Mac – Microsoft Copilot joins CarPlay, leaving Gemini as the biggest holdout
- Windows Central - Google's Gemini app for Windows 11 uses the same keyboard shortcut as Copilot
- Fortune – Microsoft head of communications Frank Shaw leaving after nearly 30 years of shaping the software giant's public messaging
