The days of staring at doomscrolling on your phone while waiting in the car may soon be over. Apple is poised to bring video playback – including through a dedicated Apple TV app – to CarPlay, transforming vehicle dashboards into entertainment hubs. The feature, initially announced in Car and Driver, is now available to developers in the iOS 26.4 beta, signaling a likely public release with a future iOS update.
This expansion of CarPlay’s capabilities promises to alleviate boredom during unavoidable waits, such as charging an electric vehicle or during school pick-up lines. The ability to stream video directly to the car’s built-in display represents a significant upgrade to the in-car experience, offering a more engaging alternative to mobile phone use while stationary. The initial announcement of iOS 26 in June 2025 included plans for video playback, but implementation has taken time.
Developers now have access to the functionality, as demonstrated by Thomas Dye, who showcased a working Apple TV app within a CarPlay simulator. The app mirrors the functionality found on iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs, allowing users to access their watchlist, search for content, and initiate playback directly from the car’s display. Beyond Apple TV, the update will too enable a form of AirPlay, allowing video streaming from apps that haven’t yet implemented native CarPlay support, prompting a “Show Video on iPhone” option for those sources.
Safety and Implementation Details
While the prospect of in-car entertainment is appealing, Apple is prioritizing safety. The video playback feature will be locked and unavailable while the vehicle is in motion, ensuring driver attention remains on the road. Automakers will need to explicitly enable the feature through a software key, meaning not all vehicles will immediately support video playback upon the release of the iOS update. This allows manufacturers to assess potential liability concerns and tailor the feature to their specific vehicle systems.
This approach contrasts with Android Auto, which currently lacks native video playback support, though workarounds exist. Google-based infotainment systems, however, do support video streaming, notably through YouTube. Apple’s CarPlay, designed as a safer interface for iPhone users while driving, has long focused on navigation, communication, and music playback.
What’s Next for CarPlay Video?
It’s important to note that features within iOS betas are not guaranteed to make it into the final public release. However, given the relatively straightforward nature of this implementation, industry observers are optimistic. IOS updates typically roll out over weeks or months, suggesting that CarPlay video playback could be available to consumers in the near future. The timing will depend on both Apple’s final testing and the individual automakers’ decisions to enable the feature.
The addition of video playback to CarPlay represents a significant step in evolving the in-car entertainment experience. As vehicles increasingly incorporate larger, more sophisticated displays, the potential for utilizing these screens for entertainment while parked is becoming increasingly attractive to both drivers and passengers. The integration of Apple TV and AirPlay support positions CarPlay as a central hub for in-car media consumption.
What are your thoughts on this new feature? Share your comments below and let us realize how you envision using video playback in your vehicle.
