In a major reversal, Tesla is developing support for Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles. That marks the end of years of resistance to one of the most requested features by potential customers, according to a new report Thursday.
Tesla plans to add CarPlay to its electric vehicles
The electric vehicle maker Tesla has begun internal testing of CarPlay integration, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported. If implemented, Tesla drivers would finally be able to access a version of their iPhone’s interface optimized for the car’s infotainment system. It’s been a standard feature in many automakers’ vehicles for years. But others, like General Motors, have moved toward implementing their own systems to try to maximize profits.
A stunning change of course
The move represents a dramatic shift for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has long rejected customer demands for CarPlay support. Musk has publicly criticized Apple for years, particularly over its App Store policies. And he apparently harbored resentment over Apple recruiting Tesla engineers when the tech giant started developing its own vehicle project.
Tesla has relied exclusively on its proprietary infotainment system, which includes built-in apps for messaging, web browsing and other functions. The company previously resisted giving Apple deeper access to Tesla customers, especially while Apple positioned itself as a potential competitor in the electric vehicle market.
What changed Apple’s fortunes
Several factors appear to have influenced Tesla’s decision. Most significantly, Apple canceled its Project Titan car initiative in 2024, eliminating the competitive threat. Additionally, Musk now depends on Apple as an important distribution partner for his X social network and Grok AI service, the report said.
Perhaps most importantly, Tesla’s sales have weakened, with some prospective buyers specifically citing the absence of CarPlay as a dealbreaker. A 2024 McKinsey study found that approximately one-third of car buyers consider the lack of CarPlay or Android Auto support to be a deciding factor against purchasing a vehicle.
What to expect from Tesla’s CarPlay implementation
According to sources, Tesla plans to display CarPlay within a window inside its existing interface rather than allowing it to completely replace the Tesla operating system as it does in many other vehicles. The implementation will support wireless connectivity, allowing iPhone users to connect without cables.
CarPlay will provide access to Apple’s Messages, Music, and Maps apps, along with Siri voice assistant and popular third-party applications like Google Maps and Spotify. However, it won’t integrate with Tesla-specific features like Full Self-Driving mode, which will still require using Tesla’s native navigation system.
Tesla intends to implement the standard version of CarPlay rather than the newer CarPlay Ultra. The latter offers more extensive control over vehicle functions like instrument clusters, climate controls and seats. The standard version has been updated in iOS 26 to include new features such as widgets for weather and calendar appointments.
Tesla adding CarPlay: Timeline remains uncertain
While Tesla has discussed launching CarPlay in the coming months, the company hasn’t finalized its plans. The release could be delayed. Tesla has a history of canceling or postponing features even after extended development periods.
Notably, Tesla is not currently developing support for Android Auto, Google’s competing platform for Android devices.
For Apple, securing CarPlay integration in Tesla vehicles — which dominate the US electric vehicle market — represents a significant victory in keeping users within its ecosystem. This comes as some automakers, including General Motors, have recently moved in the opposite direction by removing CarPlay to focus on their own infotainment solutions.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
