Apple has made a major U-turn with CarPlay after a decade without allowing video playback. Starting with iOS 26, Apple technically allows apps to display videos through the CarPlay screen when parked. Here’s the latest on the status of this feature.
Park to unlock video playback via CarPlay
This feature is called “in-car video” and was first mentioned on Apple’s developer website for CarPlay last summer:
In-car AirPlay video allows users to watch their favorite videos from their iPhone directly on their CarPlay screen when they’re not driving. Integrate CarPlay support with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.
Apple tells developers and automakers interested in creating and supporting CarPlay apps with video playback to learn more:
If you want to support CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra, AirPlay video or car keys in your vehicle’s system, learn more about the MFi program.
In early 2025, a third-party app managed to get a CarPlay web browser with video playback through App Store review, but the feature was later removed.
Since iOS 26, video playback while parked is technically allowed for the first time.
What is the status of video apps in CarPlay?
As of now, video playback via CarPlay doesn’t really seem to exist in the real world.
We know that support won’t be universal, as each automaker controls whether or not the feature is enabled.
There are also no public comments from automakers planning to support video playback via CarPlay while parked.
It’s unclear if we’ll actually see video playback anytime soon. Support requires explicit support from the automaker, not just support from app developers.
The closest we’ve seen is virtual support via Apple’s CarPlay Simulator app on the Mac.
It includes a built-in Apple TV app that simulates the experience on a compatible CarPlay system. It also supports playing some videos from iPhone, such as through Safari, on iOS 26.4 and iOS 26.5.
One clue the CarPlay Simulator example gives us is that video can have strict screen resolution requirements. Video only works in CarPlay Simulator with 1920×1080 resolution system.
Still, although nearly a year has passed since CarPlay video playback was first confirmed by Apple, we’re not really sure the feature will be available to drivers during the iOS 26 release cycle.
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