CarPlay can sometimes be overly eager, turning on your audio before you’ve even removed your AirPods or entered your car. A new feature in iOS 26 aims to resolve this issue permanently.
Apple has developed impressive technology in two main areas, though both have their shortcomings. The first is Siri, which attempts to determine which device you want to interact with when called.
The second revolves around a feature across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS that allows your AirPods to switch between devices seamlessly. While it generally operates well, it has had a significant drawback—until now, with the introduction of iOS 26.
To take advantage of this new setting, you simply need to go to your iPhone’s Settings. Navigate to General, select AirPlay & Continuity, and enable “Keep Audio in Headphones.”
Though this might seem like a minor addition, it significantly enhances the user experience. According to Apple, this feature ensures that when using AirPods or other connected headphones, audio remains in your headphones even when other playback devices, such as cars or speakers, connect to your iPhone.
Previously, you may have found your audio abruptly shifting from AirPods to your car’s speakers as soon as you started your vehicle, often even before you entered the car. Some users reported this occurring right after unlocking their car with Apple’s CarKey.
This specific scenario predominantly affects users who utilize wireless CarPlay, especially during quiet exits from gatherings. While issues still exist with the connection stability between AirPods and playback devices, the update in iOS 26 demonstrates Apple’s commitment to refining user experience, particularly as it seeks to encourage more car manufacturers to adopt CarPlay Ultra technology.
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