Apple CarPlay Workaround for Tesla Vehicles Now Available to Download

[nadroj.jordan]

These comments are fascinating. For a couple of years I refused to get a Tesla because it didn't have CarPlay, but I finally gave in.

For non-Tesla owners who think this makes no sense: Tesla's navigation is based on solid Google Maps data and integrates Supercharger locations including how many stalls are available, the charging cost, and more. It uses that charging data to route you, know how much battery you will have left when you get to the station, and how many minutes you will need to charge, etc. It does this for multiple stops and as many charging stations as you will need. CarPlay would be useless for navigation in a Tesla.

For me, that leaves Apple Music. Yes, it's somewhat annoying that it's not built into the Tesla UI. I just lift my Apple Watch and say "Play [whatever song]" and it plays in the car. Tesla Bluetooth uses AAC and sounds fantastic. The car has two wireless charging pads for charging.

Honestly, if I had CarPlay on my Tesla, I wouldn't use it -- and I love CarPlay. I'm open to suggestions of why I'd need it, though.

 

[Onelifenofear]

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

Oh look - a tesla short...

The thing that shorts don't get is that Telsa is not only a car company. It's an Energy and AI company. The limits are not four wheels and a supercharger, but the potential future of the energy delivery in the world. Batteries alone can keep over 1/3rd of the worlds energy that is lost because powerstations can't stop when we are all asleep.

 

[Onelifenofear]

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

I don't think that 90% of iOS uses would care. The whole apple / android flamewar ( thats seems to have gone away thankfully) seemed to be mostly one sided with Android users getting all angry from some reason about what phone operating system someone else uses... It's like getting angry about what TV brand you buy or a toaster.

 

[DanTheMan827]

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.

The only thing I can think is that by adding CarPlay and Android Auto, it would essentially be like saying "our own OS sucks, so we'll let you use the competition"

But then again, it could also be a way to lock people into using their OS and any potential app store to ensure they get a cut of anything going on through it.

Do Teslas have anything resembling the App Store? for things like navigation?

I can imagine it would be quite convenient for people who work for uber and the like.

 

[Iconoclysm]

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.

Now that's a horrible take... The entire reason these platforms exist is because auto makers are horrendous at keeping software up to date with modern technology.

Tesla's UI is great, but that's not enough to make it better than CarPlay.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Exactly. The only thing I wish I had “natively” would be Apple Music. But frankly, I used an online converter tool that recreated all my playlists in Spotify, so … not a big deal.

The CarPlay interface is just so limited; I truly can’t stand it.

And you can very much still add a reminder via Hey Siri — not sure what value CarPlay would bring there.

CarPlay's value is lossless audio, interfaces for 3rd party apps like Teams to make phone calls, access to Apple Maps that you may or may not use in other cars...and that's the best part of it, your interface and services go with you, even in a rental.

 

[CrapShack]

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

Are we sure this isn't a headline from The Onion?

Cuz it's HILARIOUS.

 

[Iconoclysm]

The only thing I can think is that by adding CarPlay and Android Auto, it would essentially be like saying "our own OS sucks, so we'll let you use the competition"

But then again, it could also be a way to lock people into using their OS and any potential app store to ensure they get a cut of anything going on through it.

Do Teslas have anything resembling the App Store? for things like navigation?

I can imagine it would be quite convenient for people who work for uber and the like.

I don't feel like CarPlay replaces the OS so much as opens the shared portal you use everywhere you go, leveraging the services that you already take with you everywhere. The concept of CarPlay far outshines the interface or the complaints I'm reading here. Being able to get into ANY car and have the same interface, same everything, is untouchable.

And no, I would never buy a car that would lock out one of the most popular features in infotainment systems, even if it weren't just for me. And no, I'd never buy a Tesla - thankfully we have a flood of options, some better, some worse, some more expensive, some less, coming this year.

 

[beermode]

A Hermes tape measurer? That's totally relatable. Why would anyone share this other than to brag?

 

[hansmoleman]

...and that's the best part of it, your interface and services go with you, even in a rental.

You mean like Tesla's cloud profiles, where everything down to your mirror and seat positions come with you, even into a rental?

They're not perfect, but staying up to date and portability aren't a concern. Like, at all.

2012 Model S's still get software updates - can even replace the computer to a new generation. How many 10 year old iPhones still get updates from Apple?

 

[RonFromOregon]

I have a Tesla, and also another vehicle with CarPlay. CarPlay is decent (especially for Waze), but Tesla's solution is better. If Tesla came out with CarPlay, I wouldn't use it.

 

[UltimaKilo]

I would never want CarPlay in my Tesla, it would be so janky and ugly that it’s just not viable. Why would you even need CarPlay? Tesla UI is so much better.

I still hope Tesla adds Apple Music soon.

 

[Iconoclysm]

You mean like Tesla's cloud profiles, where everything down to your mirror and seat positions come with you, even into a rental?

They're not perfect, but staying up to date and portability aren't a concern. Like, at all.

2012 Model S's still get software updates - can even replace the computer to a new generation. How many 10 year old iPhones still get updates from Apple?

For rental Tesla's only...so no, not like that at all. And it's already in more vehicles than Tesla can shake a stick at.

When I bought my car, Apple Music did not exist. Tesla did. I can use Apple Music with lossless audio in my car via CarPlay. Tesla still cannot. Apple doesn't need to update my phone, every time I buy a new phone, that problem is solved. And yes, I will buy a new phone - as would anyone with a 10 year old phone.

Again, you're locked into an ecosystem with Tesla here - where Apple is actually doing the complete opposite.

I looked into the cloud profiles...here we are 7 years after CarPlay launched and Tesla has a hamstrung version of user portability that's in beta right now. Again, you're only proving my point.

In fact, this entire thing here is going to be Tesla's Achilles' Heel. I've been in the market for an EV for almost a decade, but I refuse to buy a Tesla for a number of reasons. The fit and finish does not compare with true luxury cars, the price is actually far above even what a luxury car version of an EV should and will be, they are trying to run a platform of their own in a world where AA and CarPlay exist, you name it. This is Apple hubris on steroids, and it worked out fine in a world without any true competition.

 

[Mazda 3s]

These comments are fascinating. For a couple of years I refused to get a Tesla because it didn't have CarPlay, but I finally gave in.

For non-Tesla owners who think this makes no sense: Tesla's navigation is based on solid Google Maps data and integrates Supercharger locations including how many stalls are available, the charging cost, and more. It uses that charging data to route you, know how much battery you will have left when you get to the station, and how many minutes you will need to charge, etc. It does this for multiple stops and as many charging stations as you will need. CarPlay would be useless for navigation in a Tesla.

For me, that leaves Apple Music. Yes, it's somewhat annoying that it's not built into the Tesla UI. I just lift my Apple Watch and say "Play [whatever song]" and it plays in the car. Tesla Bluetooth uses AAC and sounds fantastic. The car has two wireless charging pads for charging.

Honestly, if I had CarPlay on my Tesla, I wouldn't use it -- and I love CarPlay. I'm open to suggestions of why I'd need it, though.

Exactly! I have a Model 3 SR+ and we drove down to Holden Beach on Friday. I started with a 90% charge and it said that we'd get to the house with about 9% left. I got on I-40 (speed limit 70 mph) and set Autopilot for 79 mph. Got about 20 minutes into the trip, and the car displayed a message to "Keep speed below 75mph to reach your destination."

I heeded its warning and set Autopilot for 74 mph and stayed in the right lane . Arrived with 8% charge.

 

[campingsk8er]

Not having CarPlay/ Apple Music is literally the ONLY thing I hate about my Tesla ?

 

[jaytv111]

You mean like Tesla's cloud profiles, where everything down to your mirror and seat positions come with you, even into a rental?

They're not perfect, but staying up to date and portability aren't a concern. Like, at all.

2012 Model S's still get software updates - can even replace the computer to a new generation. How many 10 year old iPhones still get updates from Apple?

Works with rentals, great. What if I rent a Toyota? All that cloud stuff goes out the window.

 

[PC_tech]

I reckon Tesla wants to maintain the relationship with the customer and entangle them in their ecosystem.

Just like…. Apple….

 

[WiiDSmoker]

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.

You aren’t wrong. The only ones saying Tesla sucks and car play rulez in here are those that don’t have a Tesla. They really want daddy Apple to dictate every minute of their life.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Works with rentals, great. What if I rent a Toyota? All that cloud stuff goes out the window.

What if you rent a Toyota that doesn’t have CarPlay? What if? What if?

What if isn’t a logic argument.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Just like…. Apple….

Apple is nowhere near as locked down as Tesla. Tesla is incompatible with EVERYTHING.

 

[PC_tech]

Apple is nowhere near as locked down as Tesla. Tesla is incompatible with EVERYTHING.

Of course, you’d be one of the ones to defend Apple here?

 

[Iconoclysm]

What if you rent a Toyota that doesn’t have CarPlay? What if? What if?

What if isn’t a logic argument.

What are the odds the Toyota has CarPlay vs. the rental car being a Tesla? I haven't rented a car in years that didn't have CarPlay, even if it's a cheapo non touch screen implementation.

Honestly, your comment here is just dumb. You might want a grasp on the English language and comprehension if you can't understand what was trying to be said.

"What if I rent a Toyota?" He already provided the answer, everything Tesla provides is completely useless. Whereas, you can request a Toyota that has CarPlay if one does not. In fact, you can just request a CAR with CarPlay and you'll get one in the range of $30 a day. Or you can rent a Tesla for $100 a day, and use your beta software.

However, many EV rentals are going in the direction of NOT TESLA these days as far as rental companies are concerned. One reason for that is that Telsa is not as rental friendly as every single other EV out there.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Of course, you’d be one of the ones to defend Apple here?

Of course, you'd call that defending Apple, LOL. Can you grasp a reality where a statement can be nuanced enough to mean, "Apple is locked down - but not this much"? Or are you so blinded by your self-righteous "independence" that you immediately point to fanboyism whenever something leans the way you don't like? Reading your post history, it's pretty much all you're here for.

If you said something equally wrong about ANYTHING, I would "defend it" by pointing that out. What's crazy is that you dislike something so much that you actually waste your time on a forum about it. Who has time for all that whining and trolling?

 

[jaytv111]

What if you rent a Toyota that doesn’t have CarPlay? What if? What if?

What if isn’t a logic argument.

It's far easier to rent a car with Carplay than a Tesla. Carplay is everywhere, Tesla's the only major carmaker that doesn't have it.

This isn't a "logic argument", this is just factual reality. Carplay is something you can use across car companies, Tesla's system is only in Teslas. And I can absolutely concede that you may believe Tesla's system is far better, maybe the best, but that ultimately doesn't erase the benefit of Carplay, and even more so, Tesla can add Carplay and doesn't need to subtract anything from their experience, either. Even Google's system for cars, Android Automotive, lets you have Carplay and Android Auto in addition to Google's apps and Play store apps. So really I and others don't see why they particularly shouldn't have Carplay, Tesla should just add in Carplay and Android Auto and get the best of both worlds!

 

[Iconoclysm]

It's far easier to rent a car with Carplay than a Tesla. Carplay is everywhere, Tesla's the only major carmaker that doesn't have it.

This isn't a "logic argument", this is just factual reality. Carplay is something you can use across car companies, Tesla's system is only in Teslas. And I can absolutely concede that you may believe Tesla's system is far better, maybe the best, but that ultimately doesn't erase the benefit of Carplay, and even more so, Tesla can add Carplay and doesn't need to subtract anything from their experience, either. Even Google's system for cars, Android Automotive, lets you have Carplay and Android Auto in addition to Google's apps and Play store apps. So really I and others don't see why they particularly shouldn't have Carplay, Tesla should just add in Carplay and Android Auto and get the best of both worlds!

Don't be so quick to assume that even Tesla's UI is as good as people are claiming here. It's a colorful and fancy version of the same "We don't really get usability but here's some pretty stuff" that all car manufacturers fall prey to. But no use pointing that out, Tesla lovers are notorious for thinking everything about a Tesla is the greatest ever. And considering they cost more than even the most expensive Apple products, they're even more averse to buyer's remorse and forced into this position.