Ever since I started using Apple CarPlay in my Hyundai Elantra a few years ago, I've found it hard to imagine driving without it. It displays everything from my iPhone that I might need on my car's infotainment system, and I have never experienced any glitches or slowdowns that have negatively impacted my experience.
However, one brand that has consistently been absent from the list of automakers supporting Apple CarPlay is Tesla. Now, after years of Tesla drivers asking for the feature, it might finally be on its way. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Tesla is working to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles and has begun testing the feature internally.
The version of CarPlay that Tesla is working to support is the standard version, which simply mirrors your iPhone to the car's infotainment system and allows you to use apps like Messages, Music, and Maps, as well as third-party apps like Waze, Google Maps, and Spotify. CarPlay Ultra is an alternative version that controls more of the vehicle's functions, in addition to mirroring your iPhone, such as instrument clusters and climate controls. Given how well Tesla protects its user interface, it's not surprising that it's opting for the standard version.
Tesla drivers will be able to connect to CarPlay wirelessly, and it will supposedly appear "within a window inside its broader interface" rather than taking over the entire screen, according to the sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg.
As for when Apple CarPlay might actually become available in Tesla vehicles, that remains uncertain. Bloomberg reports that Tesla has been considering a rollout possibly "in the coming months," but no plans have been finalized, and it could happen even later than that.
Tesla has long resisted adding Apple CarPlay support
Telsa reportedly isn't developing Android Auto support
Tesla's sudden support for Apple CarPlay would be a shocking reversal for the company, whose CEO, Elon Musk, has previously rejected the possibility of adding it.
In 2020, Musk said during Tesla's Q3 2020 earnings call that Tesla had "no plans" to support CarPlay or Android Auto, and that the company believes its "in-house software is superior and more integrated with the vehicle" via (Tesla North). Just last year, during Tesla's Q1 2024 earnings call, Musk said, "We're not adding CarPlay. Our UI is the best in the industry."
The reason Tesla changed its stance might be linked to long-standing demands from current Tesla drivers to add Apple CarPlay and the goal of boosting sales. According to a 2024 McKinsey survey, 30 percent of EV buyers would avoid purchasing a car without CarPlay or Android Auto. In 2022, Apple referenced a survey that said 79 percent of users consider whether a car has CarPlay support before making a purchase.
Given the popularity of CarPlay, I wouldn't be surprised if Tesla may be working to get this out the door sooner rather than later to help boost sales and keep its current drivers happy.
According to Bloomberg's report, while Tesla is working on CarPlay support, it is not currently actively developing any support for Android Auto.
For Apple, having Tesla adopt CarPlay would be a major win, especially since other automakers like GM have announced they will eventually cease support for Apple CarPlay to focus on their own in-house infotainment systems.
When CarPlay support is coming to Tesla vehicles isn't known yet, but there's a possibility it could be in the "coming months." Given the popularity of CarPlay, I wouldn't be surprised if Tesla may be working to get this out the door sooner rather than later to help boost sales and keep its current drivers happy.