Apple’s days of blocking you from watching video by way of CarPlay seem like coming to an finish. The upcoming iOS26 replace will enable individuals to mission video from their telephones onto the middle show of their automobile by way of AirPlay. This will allow customers to “watch their favourite movies from iPhone proper on their CarPlay show once they aren’t driving,” Apple says.
The new functionality, which was first observed by MacRumors, falls underneath the “video within the automotive” class on Apple’s developer web site, alongside “Automaker apps” and “automotive keys.” The firm invitations automakers and builders who’re “considering supporting CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra, AirPlay video, or automotive keys in your automobile system” to affix its MFi Program.
Apple says that automakers might want to add assist for CarPlay with AirPlay video, so it gained’t be obtainable to everybody straight away. Most automakers are a little bit risk-averse when approaching new tech that has the potential to be a distraction from driving, in order that they’re doubtless pushing for assurances that movies can solely be performed whereas the automobile is parked. They’re additionally cautious about handing over an excessive amount of management of their screens to Apple, which is why Aston Martin is the one automaker that has come out in assist of the corporate’s new CarPlay Ultra.
Apple says that automakers might want to add assist for CarPlay with AirPlay video, so it gained’t be obtainable to everybody straight away.
A spokesperson for Apple didn’t instantly reply to questions on automaker assist or {hardware} necessities.
Lots of automobiles, particularly EVs, already provide some model of video streaming or gaming functionality whereas parked. Some automakers, particularly these with Google’s built-in Android-based working methods, have began including native YouTube apps to their infotainment shows. Tesla has a Theater mode that helps Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and different companies. Other automotive producers with passenger or seatback screens assist varied video streaming companies.
There have already been plenty of unauthorized methods to observe video by way of CarPlay by way of third-party adapters or jailbreak tweaks.
