- Apple released a fix in iOS 26 for an annoying audio issue with CarPlay
- Users can now keep their listening habits private
- It also works with other Bluetooth audio devices
Apple added a new iOS 26 feature that gives owners of AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones greater control over automatic transfer to wireless devices, including Apple CarPlay.
Imagine the scene: you are happily enjoying the Demon Hunters KPop soundtrack as you approach the car, only for Apple CarPlay to kick in and automatically steal your audio feed, broadcasting your guilty pleasure to anyone using shotgun.
Okay, it’s probably not the end of the world, but it can be frustrating when, in the middle of an important phone call or Zoom meeting, Apple CarPlay decides to take over and the microphone cuts out and you fumble to fix technical issues.
Fortunately, Apple has made it much easier to prevent this from happening, thanks to a new feature in iOS 26 that was initially spotted by MacRumors. It works with all wireless headphones, not just AirPods.
In the iPhone Settings appthere is a AirPlay and continuity section that resides under the General tab. Apple added a ‘Keep audio with headphones‘ toggle option (see below) which does exactly what it claims to do.
After selecting the option, it is possible to launch Apple CarPlay, a vehicle’s Bluetooth audio system, or Bluetooth speakers without the audio automatically changing.
No more audio transfers
We’ve all been there: watching a YouTube video idly, only to see the sound annoyingly playing through a Bluetooth speaker at home or an Apple CarPlay-enabled system in a car. Anyone who indulges in anything more nefarious may be left very with a red face.
The new “Keep Audio Using Headphones” feature prevents this from happening, while still allowing manual audio transfer through the iOS Control Center.
However, it should be noted that driving with headphones is illegal in many US states and frowned upon in many other European countries, as it reduces situational awareness.
So automatically transferring audio to Apple CarPlay wirelessly could actually save your life.
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