Apple quietly adding video playback to CarPlay in iOS 26

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Apple is adding video playback to CarPlay in iOS 26, confirming the feature on its developer site instead of highlighting it during the WWDC 2025 keynote.

Driver steering a car, showing a digital dashboard with speed and navigation screen displaying a route on a sunny road.
Apple is adding video playback to CarPlay



The upcoming iOS 26 will let users stream videos from their iPhone to the CarPlay screen, but only while the car is parked. AirPlay handles the connection, and playback will automatically stop if the phone detects that the vehicle is moving.

The change wasn't mentioned in Apple's keynote or press releases. Instead, the company added a short note to the CarPlay section of its developer website. The feature is called "Video in the car" and requires automakers to add support for AirPlay video.

Apple hasn't said whether the feature works with current vehicles or if it will be limited to new models. It also hasn't confirmed if it's tied to the upcoming version of CarPlay with more integrated controls, sometimes referred to as next-generation CarPlay.

Regulatory and hardware limits



As first spotted by MacRumors, users won't see video playback unless the car's infotainment system supports it, even with iOS 26 installed. Automakers will need to enable it, and regional safety laws could also affect availability.

Some countries may restrict or block in-dash video entirely, regardless of Apple's software. So far, Apple hasn't shown what the video interface looks like or said which apps or formats will be supported.

The CarPlay update is the first time Apple has officially supported video playback in cars. Until now, users had to rely on jailbreak tweaks or third-party workarounds to do it. With iOS 26, it becomes part of the mainstream CarPlay experience.

The timing also puts Apple closer to what competitors are already doing. Tesla's Theater app, for example, lets users stream Netflix, YouTube, and more while parked. BMW, Mercedes, and others offer similar features in their in-car systems.

For electric vehicles, in particular, this feature makes sense. Drivers often spend 20 to 40 minutes parked at charging stations. In-car entertainment helps fill that time and adds value to the display.

Apple likely sees that as an area where CarPlay can improve.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    twolf2919twolf2919 Posts: 184member
    Not sure this qualifies as news as I've seen articles about it weeks ago.  And the article doesn't really add much information either - like *some* indication of which car manufacturers will actually support it.  I'm on the developer beta and I certainly don't see a function for it in my Nissan Ariya.  In general, I wonder how 'beta testing' is supposed to work for this feature if the car manufacturers need to enable something first in their cars.  Would they enable something that's still in beta?

    I'd love to have this feature - like the article said, whenever I go on trips, I end  up spending some time in the car while it charges.  It would be nice to use that 12+" screen instead of that 6+" iPhone.
    Anilu_777williamlondonAlex1N
     2Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 7
    iOS_Guy80ios_guy80 Posts: 968member
    twolf2919 said:
    Not sure this qualifies as news as I've seen articles about it weeks ago.  And the article doesn't really add much information either - like *some* indication of which car manufacturers will actually support it.  I'm on the developer beta and I certainly don't see a function for it in my Nissan Ariya.  In general, I wonder how 'beta testing' is supposed to work for this feature if the car manufacturers need to enable something first in their cars.  Would they enable something that's still in beta?

    I'd love to have this feature - like the article said, whenever I go on trips, I end  up spending some time in the car while it charges.  It would be nice to use that 12+" screen instead of that 6+" iPhone.
    I suppose the power that the CarPlay screen is drawing doesn’t really lengthen the charging time  of the car battery?
    williamlondon
     0Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 7
    theLedgertheledger Posts: 18member
    I use CarPlay to listen to YouTube videos all the time when I'm driving (I'm not watching them). I wish there was a YouTube app that shows the titles of video and when an add comes on, a simple button to skip the ad similar to when watching a video. 

    I don't care to watch videos on my car's screen. 
    williamlondon
     0Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 7
    longfanglongfang Posts: 555member
    iOS_Guy80 said:
    twolf2919 said:
    Not sure this qualifies as news as I've seen articles about it weeks ago.  And the article doesn't really add much information either - like *some* indication of which car manufacturers will actually support it.  I'm on the developer beta and I certainly don't see a function for it in my Nissan Ariya.  In general, I wonder how 'beta testing' is supposed to work for this feature if the car manufacturers need to enable something first in their cars.  Would they enable something that's still in beta?

    I'd love to have this feature - like the article said, whenever I go on trips, I end  up spending some time in the car while it charges.  It would be nice to use that 12+" screen instead of that 6+" iPhone.
    I suppose the power that the CarPlay screen is drawing doesn’t really lengthen the charging time  of the car battery?

    Running the screen draws negligible power, heck running the AC draws negligible power compared to the charge rate and battery size of an EV


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  • Reply 5 of 7
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,665member
    About time.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 7
    MustSeeUHDTVmustseeuhdtv Posts: 327member
    I use the HDMI adapter on the car4airplay, but the video quality isn’t really that great. Like 15-20 frames a sec.

    Video integrated within CarPlay would be great.
    williamlondon
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 7
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,498member
    iOS_Guy80 said:
    twolf2919 said:
    Not sure this qualifies as news as I've seen articles about it weeks ago.  And the article doesn't really add much information either - like *some* indication of which car manufacturers will actually support it.  I'm on the developer beta and I certainly don't see a function for it in my Nissan Ariya.  In general, I wonder how 'beta testing' is supposed to work for this feature if the car manufacturers need to enable something first in their cars.  Would they enable something that's still in beta?

    I'd love to have this feature - like the article said, whenever I go on trips, I end  up spending some time in the car while it charges.  It would be nice to use that 12+" screen instead of that 6+" iPhone.
    I suppose the power that the CarPlay screen is drawing doesn’t really lengthen the charging time  of the car battery?
    Probably not. I mean Apple rates the iPad mini as being able to play videos for 10 hours:

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/111886

    As mentioned by others the load from the screen is barely anything compared to what the car's charging system is receiving. It's not like an iPad needs to be plugged into 3-phase 240V power just to run.

    Heck, on transcontinental flights I often don't bother plugging in my iPad into seat power while I'm watching a movie.
    edited July 22
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