The Breakdown:
- Apple is allowing developers to integrate video playback for CarPlay into their apps.
- A future version of CarPlay could feature the Apple TV app.
- Apple promised the feature with the launch of iOS 26 last June.
A future iteration of Apple CarPlay could soon support video playback. The tech giant has now made the feature available to app developers in the latest iOS 26.4 beta software.
According to Apple’s developer page, AirPlay video will allow people to watch content from their iPhones on the CarPlay display—when the vehicle is parked, of course. Developers can now integrate this support into their CarPlay or CarPlay Ultra applications.
Apple promised video playback for CarPlay last June with the launch of iOS 26, saying at the time that its availability in cars would depend on automakers adding support for the feature. The company is also adding its Apple TV app to the main display.
Video playback in cars has become more common in recent years, especially with the adoption of Google Built-In. The infotainment software, which is different from Android Auto, offers access to the Google Play Store and applications such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and many more.
Gallery: Apple CarPlay iOS 26 Update
Motor1’s Take: It makes sense that video playback would become a common feature with today’s cars coming with such large screens. We’re worried that, because the feature depends on automakers, it might take quite a while to reach everyone, and it remains unclear whether playback will be available in existing vehicles or only in new ones.
