Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Announces New CarPlay Features on iOS 27, Including Video Apps

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster


Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, but we did not hear many specific details about this functionality until now.

CarPlay-iOS-27-Video-Apps.jpg

In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an iPhone app that supports AirPlay video streaming, users can select the car's display from the AirPlay menu on iOS and watch the video on a compatible vehicle's screen.

New in iOS 27, Apple is allowing developers to create CarPlay apps with video browsing capabilities, so you can find videos to watch right on CarPlay.

This feature can keep you entertained while you are not driving. For example, Apple said you may use it while waiting in your car at the airport, or charging your electric vehicle. For safety reasons, video playback is only enabled when the vehicle is parked.

In addition, the more personal and intelligent version of Siri — aka "Siri AI" — will be available on CarPlay when it is used with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Apple offered the following example for using Siri AI via CarPlay: "On the road, ask Siri which trailhead your friend suggested and get the answer instantly."

CarPlay-Siri-AI.jpg

In a slide shown very briefly during the WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple revealed four additional enhancements coming to CarPlay:
  • Audio scrubbing within CarPlay's Now Playing interface
  • Improved GPS accuracy and navigation heading
  • A mini-player for audio within apps
  • Improved wireless CarPlay reliability
All of the new CarPlay features require an iPhone running iOS 27, which is available in developer beta. A public beta will follow in July, and the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.

Article Link: Apple Announces New CarPlay Features on iOS 27, Including Video Apps
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/08/new-apple-carplay-features-ios-27/
Last edited:
  • Haha
Reactions: Z-4195
Oh hey, streaming video in CarPlay: that feature they announced for iOS 26 but mysteriously vanished after the second beta. Yeah was wondering about that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Premium1
I often watch videos in the car while the car is parked. Every week I have to wait for my kids or whatever at their various extracurricular activities, and it'd be nice not to have to remember to bring my iPad each time, and not to have to hold that iPad in the car.

I am assuming my 2025 Toyota Camry will never support this feature though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TomaxXamot and macguru212
Great, but can we fix some other CarPlay issues first? Like basic stuff?

Grey for focused/active buttons and blue for inactive is backwards and confusing (especially with steering/knob controls). And the route screen defaults to “Back” instead of “Start Navigation.” It’s a simple UI safety fix—I don’t understand how this is still overlooked in iOS 27. Anyone know?
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: gusmula, Thanatoast, BoctorBill and 9 others
MacRumors said:


Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, but we did not hear many specific details about this functionality until now.

CarPlay-iOS-27-Video-Apps.jpg

In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an iPhone app that supports AirPlay video streaming, users can select the car's display from the AirPlay menu on iOS and watch the video on a compatible vehicle's screen.

New in iOS 27, Apple is allowing developers to create CarPlay apps with video browsing capabilities, so you can find videos to watch right on CarPlay.

This feature can keep you entertained while you are not driving. For example, Apple said you may use it while waiting in your car at the airport, or charging your electric vehicle. For safety reasons, video playback is only enabled when the vehicle is parked.

In addition, the more personal and intelligent version of Siri — aka "Siri AI" — will be available on CarPlay when it is used with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Apple offered the following example for using Siri AI via CarPlay: "On the road, ask Siri which trailhead your friend suggested and get the answer instantly."

CarPlay-Siri-AI.jpg

In a slide shown very briefly during the WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple revealed four additional enhancements coming to CarPlay:
  • Audio scrubbing within CarPlay's Now Playing interface
  • Improved GPS accuracy and navigation heading
  • A mini-player for audio within apps
  • Improved wireless CarPlay reliability
All of the new CarPlay features require an iPhone running iOS 27, which is available in developer beta starting today. A public beta will follow in July, and the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.

Article Link: Apple Announces New CarPlay Features on iOS 27, Including Video Apps
Click to expand...
Does this require wireless CarPlay, or will it work with wired CarPlay if the car supports it??

I’ve asked this before and no one could give me an answer and I find it odd that Apple hasn’t clarified that. I have a 2023 Kia Niro EV.
 
ThomasJL said:
Good. I hope any company that allows any kind of video to be played while driving, gets sued to the point where they go out of business. Executives who allow that “feature” should be imprisoned for life.
Click to expand...
No company “allows this” but you can buy modules that can be wired in the trick the head unit into thinking it is parked with the parking brake set.
Those are pointless in CarPlay though as your phone would know if it was truly stationary or not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eifelbube and BoctorBill
franciskoerber said:
For cars with a manual transmission I believe CarPlay looks for your parking brake to be engaged to allow these sorts of features.
Click to expand...
If you have a manual, if you leave the car in gear, you don’t need to apply the handbrake (although you should).
It’s a common technique used when you think your car is going to be parked for a long period of time, and also those who park on steep inclines.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back