Does Wireless CarPlay Work with Google Assistant? (Full Answer 2026)
If you're an Android user switching to iPhone, or just used to asking Google Assistant for directions and reminders, you might be wondering: can you use Google Assistant on wireless CarPlay?
Short answer: No — but here's what you can use instead, and it works just as well.
Why Google Assistant Doesn't Work on CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is an Apple ecosystem product. It runs on your iPhone and mirrors a curated set of apps onto your car's screen — but Apple controls which voice assistant is available. On CarPlay, the only built-in voice assistant is Siri.
Google Assistant is not available as a voice assistant within CarPlay. This is a platform-level restriction by Apple, not a limitation of your car or your wireless CarPlay adapter.
Does This Apply to Wireless CarPlay Too?
Yes. Whether you're using wired or wireless CarPlay, the same rules apply. Switching from a cable to a wireless adapter (like the Homniva Wireless CarPlay Adapter) doesn't change which apps or voice assistants are available — it simply removes the need for a USB cable.
What Voice Assistant Can You Use on CarPlay?
On CarPlay — wired or wireless — you use Siri. You can activate it by:
- Pressing and holding the voice button on your steering wheel
- Saying "Hey Siri" (if enabled on your iPhone)
- Pressing the Siri button on the CarPlay screen
Siri on CarPlay lets you:
- Get turn-by-turn directions via Apple Maps or Waze
- Send and read messages hands-free
- Make and receive phone calls
- Play music, podcasts, or audiobooks
- Set reminders and timers
- Answer general questions
Can You Use Google Maps on CarPlay Instead?
Yes — and this is where many Google users find a good middle ground. Google Maps is fully supported on CarPlay, including wireless CarPlay. You can use it for navigation, real-time traffic, and route planning — you just activate it via Siri rather than Google Assistant.
For example: press your steering wheel voice button and say "Hey Siri, navigate to Heathrow Airport using Google Maps" — and it works.
Full details: Can Wireless CarPlay Show Google Maps?
What About Waze?
Waze also works on CarPlay (wired and wireless) and is a popular alternative for drivers who prefer crowd-sourced traffic alerts. You can launch it via Siri the same way. See: Can You Use Waze on Wireless CarPlay?
Is There Any Way to Get Google Assistant on CarPlay?
Not natively. Google has not released a CarPlay-compatible version of Google Assistant, and Apple has not opened CarPlay to third-party voice assistants. This is unlikely to change in the near future.
If voice assistant flexibility is critical to you, Android Auto is the alternative — it runs Google Assistant natively. However, Android Auto requires an Android phone and is a separate system from CarPlay.
Does Wireless CarPlay Affect Any of This?
No. A wireless CarPlay adapter — like the Homniva adapter — simply replaces the USB cable. Everything else about CarPlay remains exactly the same: the same apps, the same Siri integration, the same experience. The only difference is that your phone connects automatically when you start the car.
If you're curious about the broader differences between wireless and wired CarPlay, see: Wireless CarPlay vs Bluetooth: What's the Difference?
Summary
- ❌ Google Assistant is not available on CarPlay (wired or wireless)
- ✅ Siri is the built-in voice assistant on all CarPlay systems
- ✅ Google Maps and Waze work on CarPlay and can be launched via Siri
- ✅ A wireless CarPlay adapter doesn't change any of this — it just removes the cable
Ready to Go Wireless?
If you're still plugging in your iPhone every time you get in the car, a wireless CarPlay adapter is the easiest upgrade you can make. The Homniva Wireless CarPlay Adapter works with any car that has factory wired CarPlay — and ships to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe.
