You probably have an iPhone, chances are high you utilize Apple CarPlay in your automobile. The software program mirrors your iPhone, choose apps and notifications to your in-car show. However have you learnt who can not use it proper now? Tesla homeowners.Â
Tesla runs its personal software program in its electric cars, with no assist for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It does provide apps for Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, and pairing your cellphone through Bluetooth permits you to obtain calls and texts.Â
However there may be excellent news: Tesla is engaged on including CarPlay to its automobiles within the “coming months,” based on a Bloomberg report final week. It might not be the CarPlay you are used to, which takes over the total show of your automobile, Bloomberg stated. Nor would it not be the newer CarPlay Ultra, which takes over your total automobile. Reasonably, it will be a customized implementation for Tesla.
Do not miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based evaluations. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply.
How CarPlay on a Tesla would possibly work
That is what the present Tesla software program seems to be like with no third-party integrations in sight.
Tesla reportedly plans to make use of normal CarPlay, up to date for iOS 26, as a place to begin. The place it differs is it is going to doubtless function inside a window on the present Tesla interface. Which means it won’t utterly take over the show prefer it does in another automobiles. It additionally won’t management issues like seats or local weather. Customers will nonetheless want the Tesla navigation app to make use of options like Full Self-Driving.
The upcoming CarPlay integration will reportedly be wi-fi solely, consistent with newer implementations present in premium automobiles. Whereas Apple CarPlay is getting the inexperienced mild, Tesla doesn’t seem like extending the identical courtesy to Android Auto, with no assist reportedly within the works.
The choice to combine CarPlay internally on Tesla automobiles continues to be beneath wraps, and the automaker has not confirmed something publicly. However testing has reportedly already begun, suggesting that Tesla is lastly bending to one among its most persistent buyer calls for.
Many drivers see CarPlay as a non-negotiable function. The platform delivers entry to Apple Maps, Messages, Music and Siri, in addition to third-party apps like Spotify and Google Maps, all formatted for a safer, driver-friendly interface. In actual fact, a McKinsey study from 2024 famous that about one in three automobile patrons contemplate the absence of CarPlay or Android Auto a dealbreaker.
Tesla software program, traditionally closed off, has lengthy relied on a proprietary system which incorporates built-in net looking and its personal navigation instruments. As a Tesla and iPhone proprietor, I’ve by no means felt a eager for CarPlay, for the reason that Tesla software program is powerful. However the added comfort of notifications by the show is one thing I might get pleasure from.
Tesla chief Elon Musk’s aversion to CarPlay was not simply philosophical. It was additionally aggressive. The ill-fated try from Apple to build its own EV and its expertise raids on Tesla engineering employees didn’t assist relations. However after Apple canned its automobile challenge final yr, the state of affairs seems to have thawed.
With Tesla so centered on Full Self-Driving, the choice so as to add CarPlay is peculiar. The aim of CarPlay is to securely ship notifications with out you having to have a look at your cellphone whereas behind the wheel. However Musk believes it is possible for you to to textual content and drive when utilizing the Unsupervised Full Self-Driving function in Tesla automobiles within the close to future.
