Android Auto rolling out upgraded WhatsApp support - 9to5Google

What the report says

9to5Google reports that Meta is rolling out a refreshed WhatsApp experience for Android Auto, aimed at making the messaging app more useful and safer to operate while driving. The update, reported by Ben Schoon on July 23, 2026, adds broader hands-free audio support for people using WhatsApp through their car’s Android Auto interface.

According to the report, Meta says drivers can now use voice commands to place WhatsApp calls, listen to and reply to messages, view call history, and access favorite contacts from the vehicle display. The company described the change as a complete refresh of WhatsApp’s in-car audio experience. 9to5Google said Meta did not provide images of the updated Android Auto interface, though it did show the related CarPlay version.

The development matters because WhatsApp is a major communications platform, and Android Auto is designed to reduce the need for drivers to handle phones directly. Better calling and messaging support could make WhatsApp more comparable to native phone and messaging tools already available through car infotainment systems, while still relying on voice interaction to limit distraction.

9to5Google noted that the upgrade has been expected for some time. Google had previously announced WhatsApp calling support for cars in 2023, but the fuller experience had not broadly arrived until now. The publisher says the updated WhatsApp support for Android Auto is currently rolling out.