CarPlay and AirPods work higher than ever collectively in iOS 26, right here’s how

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For the longest time, certainly one of AirPods’ finest options has been absent when within the automobile. However in iOS 26, Apple is making AirPods and CarPlay work higher collectively than ever. Right here’s how.

AirPods automated switching helps CarPlay in iOS 26

Automated switching is a type of ‘magic second’ options that may make the Apple ecosystem so interesting.

Basically, the AirPods characteristic detects which Apple product you’re utilizing at any given second, and switches your AirPods to hook up with that energetic machine.

So in case your AirPods are related to your Mac throughout work, however you determine to take a TikTok break in your iPhone, there’s no must manually swap the Bluetooth connection. Moderately, AirPods will robotically make the swap.

When automated switching first arrived, it was admittedly not probably the most dependable. However after some Apple upgrades through the years, for me not less than the characteristic’s develop into rock stable, and one thing I’d hate to be with out.

Though automated switching has at all times supported Apple’s main computing platforms, there’s been one notable exception: CarPlay.

However that’s lastly altering: AirPods in iOS 26 totally help automated switching for CarPlay too.

It’s certainly one of many new CarPlay options and AirPods options coming in iOS 26.

So if you happen to’re listening to AirPods and get within the automobile, you’ll be able to management media playback by way of CarPlay and have all of it hit your AirPods robotically.

Equally, when utilizing AirPods within the automobile then arriving at your vacation spot, you’ll be capable of swap playback to your iPhone with ease.

This characteristic pairs properly with a separate, however associated new iOS 26 setting: ‘Hold Audio in Headphones.’ The setting will guarantee your AirPods audio doesn’t swap to your in-car speaker system if you happen to don’t need it to.

Do you anticipate to make use of AirPods automated switching with CarPlay in iOS 26? Tell us within the feedback.