Tesla is reportedly preparing to support Apple’s in-vehicle software ‘CarPlay’.
CarPlay is Apple’s flagship infotainment system that allows an iPhone to connect to a car’s display, enabling direct use of music, maps, phone calls, messages, and other features inside the vehicle.
According to a Bloomberg report, it was noted last November that Tesla was considering introducing the standard wireless version of CarPlay, not the premium ‘CarPlay Ultra’. At that time, it was explained that CarPlay would be displayed as a window within Tesla’s own operating system (OS) screen.
However, the current report does not specify a concrete release date, saying only, “We will share more details soon.”
This move by Tesla is seen as a strategic shift. For a long time, Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk had consistently declined requests to support CarPlay. Despite ongoing demands from the Tesla driver community to implement Apple’s in-vehicle system, Tesla maintained a closed infotainment strategy centered on its own software.
Currently, Tesla vehicles independently feature apps like Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. However, with the introduction of CarPlay, drivers will be able to use various apps installed on their iPhone directly on the car dashboard. Apps like Apple Maps, Messages, and Spotify, for example, could be used without separate controls, greatly enhancing convenience.
Historically, the relationship between Apple and Tesla has been more competitive than cooperative. Apple once pursued its own electric vehicle development project, ‘Project Titan’, while Tesla emphasized autonomous driving and software integration to maintain a high-quality closed system. Therefore, Tesla’s consideration of CarPlay support is significant.
The industry views Tesla’s decision as reflecting consumer demands and global market trends, as most major automakers worldwide have already adopted CarPlay or Google Android Auto.
The latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 26, includes ‘CarPlay Ultra’, which offers advanced features such as integrated control of in-vehicle dashboards, climate systems, and driving information. However, Tesla appears to prefer the basic wireless CarPlay to balance with its software.
Bloomberg’s Gurman stated, “While a specific timeline has not been set, it is clear that Tesla is moving towards officially supporting CarPlay.”
