Apple CarPlay Workaround for Tesla Vehicles Now Available to Download

[MacRumors]

Apple CarPlay is now available for Tesla vehicles – but only for owners willing to resort to a workaround that uses a connected Raspberry Pi.

In the face of Tesla's apparent indifference to repeated calls to bring CarPlay to its automobiles, Polish developer Michał Gapiński demoed his success in bringing Apple's in-car system to his Tesla Model 3 earlier this year. As noted by Tesla North, after six months of work, Gapiński has now released the first publicly available alpha version of "Tesla Android" on Github for others to download and try.

The workaround involves using a Rasberry Pi with an LTE modem and a Wi-Fi access point, running a custom Android-based firmware, as well as a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable and Ethernet cable. As demonstrated in a YouTube video, the in-car browser is used to connect to the Rasberry Pi and display the ‌CarPlay‌ interface on the Tesla's screen, where Apple apps including Maps and ‌Apple Music‌ function as expected. The system works while driving, and can also be controlled with the media buttons on the Tesla's steering wheel.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1522995028947128321

Gapiński says the main objective of the latest alpha release was usability. "For the project to scale and become popular in the Tesla community it needs to provide a responsive Android experience. Otherwise, people won't use it," he says on his Tesla Android Project website.

"Right now the focus is starting to shift towards better integration and simplification," continues Gapiński. "Dropping the two boards requirement will help in reducing both cost and entry barrier by reducing the install guide to something that can be done in a matter of minutes."

Despite the preponderance of CarPlay on many other electric cars, Tesla does not offer official support. Hints in 2020 that Tesla was planning to support Apple Music never came to fruition, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk doesn't seem to respond to requests on Twitter for the company to bring CarPlay to its vehicles, despite it being one of the most-requested features among Tesla owners.

Article Link: Apple CarPlay Workaround for Tesla Vehicles Now Available to Download

 

[2540497]

Makes you laugh doesn’t it - Elon Musk lecturing the world on closed systems!

 

[schappim]

This requires the Tesla browser, which is only available (at least in Australia) when the vehicle is in park. The browser doesn't even play background audio. Sadly, the value prop of this project given the current constraints is pretty low ? (and this is coming from the guy who runs https://piaustralia.com.au/ ).

 

[MGrayson3]

PSA: Do NOT hack your car. If it bricks after a software update, you'll be really sorry.

 

[ninecows]

Don’t know what the biggest concern here is. That two of this world’s biggest tech companies cannot agree to make this happen or that it’s possible to hack in to a car like that.

 

[schappim]

PSA: Do NOT hack your car. If it bricks after a software update, you'll be really sorry.

This isn't really hacking the car, it is just swapping out a webpage.

 

[GDF]

Too much work. Elon just needs to make CarPlay available. Should be a no brainer for a tech company. CarPlay would look awesome on that huge screen.

 

[Red Oak]

When Tesla shares fall below $100, folks will be pointing to this as an example of Tesla’s hubris clouding good business decisions

 

[Aluminum213]

People are that desperate for CarPlay they’ll risk their lives hacking their car’s system?


Tim Cook won

 

[WiiDSmoker]

PSA: Do NOT hack your car. If it bricks after a software update, you'll be really sorry.

This isn’t a hack dude. It uses the web browser and doesn’t install anything.

 

[Freeangel1]

Trouble in China with Tesla and Apple workers.

Video shows workers at an Apple and Tesla supplier's plant in Shanghai clashing with security guards over fears of an onsite COVID lockdown

The clip appeared to show a female worker smacking someone in protective gear so that a fellow male worker could escape.

www.yahoo.com

 

[andrewxgx]

carplay for tesla, apple users: *reeeeeeeee*
turns out its based on android: *boooooooo*

 

[entropys]

Just buy something else.

 

[icerabbit]

If I were in the market for a new car, and there's no CarPlay + Android Auto = AUTO SKIP.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

[...] Tesla community it needs to provide a responsive Android experience

A responsive Android experience... good one. ???

 

[6787872]

cool POC but extremely janky. two pi's required? at todays inflated prices?

 

[6787872]

PSA: Do NOT hack your car. If it bricks after a software update, you'll be really sorry.

tell me you didn't read the article without telling me you didn't read the article

 

[BradWI]

CarPlay and Android Auto are a dying breed. Vehicle manufacturers want full control of the in-car entertainment experience so it can be monetized, especially once self-driving becomes an actual thing.

They'll have a captive audience which will be huge for revenue. They don't want you to use Google Maps through CarPlay because the built-in GPS can be monetized with location-based advertising. Same with media streaming, apps, games, etc. Want to watch a movie? Buy it through their store so they get a cut.

And Tesla's UI is infinitely better than CarPlay.

 

[calvinline]

I reckon Tesla wants to maintain the relationship with the customer and entangle them in their ecosystem. Substituting CarPlay/Android Auto means that a 3rd party has all that juicy personal data instead.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

[...] Same with media streaming, apps, games, etc. Want to watch a movie? Buy it through their store so they get a cut.

I'd hope that people driving the car are, you know, driving the car. Not playing games or watching a movie.

Regardless of Tesla's rhetoric and tech, self-driving cars are still not ready for primetime. At least several more years.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Vehicle manufacturers want full control of the in-car entertainment experience so it can be monetized, especially once self-driving becomes an actual thing.

They tried that and failed. That’s why they caved and most cars have CarPlay and Android Auto today.

 

[ThreepE0]

PSA: Do NOT hack your car. If it bricks after a software update, you'll be really sorry.

This is not a hack by any stretch of the imagination. It’s basically just plugging in an HDMI source. You shouldn’t be worried about bricking your car like this any more than you’d be worried about bricking your tv with a blu-ray player

 

[ThreepE0]

Too much work. Elon just needs to make CarPlay available. Should be a no brainer for a tech company. CarPlay would look awesome on that huge screen.

It DOES look awesome on that huge screen. Not too much work. Don’t be afraid to learn

 

[derek4484]

This sucks. My last car and current car have CarPlay and I love it. I will NOT own another car that doesn't include CarPlay. I really like Teslas, but if it doesnt have CarPlay its a big NO.

On another note, I wish more manufacturers incorporated wireless CarPlay. I have a 2020 M-B and I have to use the cord still. Better than nothing and it does charge while plugged in. But Wifi enabled CarPlay would be cool.

 

[hansmoleman]

CarPlay sucks anyway. Call me when it can actually display more than 10 items in a list.

Otherwise it’s a gimped up mess of an interface.

Had to deal with it in a rental car a few weeks ago. Couldn’t wait to get back to my Tesla’s interface instead.

Apple had a chance at greatness here and absolutely blew it. The vast majority of people (not everyone but a big majority) of people who insist Tesla needs it haven’t driven a Tesla. Far superior interface, IMO.

And trust me, that’s from the biggest Apple fan there is.