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iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

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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, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability.

CarPlay-Liquid-Glass-Dark.jpg

There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but software developer Thomas Dye managed to get it working to some extent in Xcode's CarPlay simulator on the Mac, and he showed it off in a recent YouTube video (via 9to5Mac).


On an iPhone connected to CarPlay, it appears that videos in any AirPlay-supported app can be played on the car's display. In the Dynamic Island, there is a button that allows you to show the video on the iPhone instead, when you want to.

The demo also reveals that an Apple TV app will be available on CarPlay, allowing you to access shows and movies from the Apple TV streaming service and your own library. There is also a tab for accessing MLS Season Pass. However, it is not entirely clear if the Apple TV app will actually be this fully featured on the real version of CarPlay.

The simulator provides an early albeit fairly clunky look at CarPlay's video streaming in action. The feature will likely be available by time iOS 26.4 is released to the general public in late March or early April, but there is a chance it will get held back until iOS 26.5 or later if Apple needs more time to wrap up development.

Apple's website indicates that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.

Related Reading: iOS 26.4 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Article Link: iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/18/ios-26-4-major-new-carplay-feature-revealed/
Last edited:
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Really only useful if you have a modern car with a giant screen. My 2019 Trax's screen is small so there's not very much use in playing video on that.
 
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That's great that it works on the simulator but yesterday we were told it requires some cat manufacturer update that ensures it only works while the car isn't moving (I suppose in park position), so who knows if this will ever come to current vehicles on the market or for sale?!
Besides, I have an EV but my charging stops are way to precious to move/use restroom/get snack etc than watching something on the screen, and they typically last less than 25 min anyways
 
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My 2024 Kia Seltos screen is a little smaller than the 11” iPad.It could be usable but, I have a 13” cellular iPad that would work much better. I am glad to read that the Apple library will be available. That could come in handy if I didn’t have my iPad with me for some reason. What wouldl be awesome is if Apple offered iPad mirroring with CarPlay, that would make use of the iPad screen.
 
MacRumors said:
Apple's website indicates that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.
Click to expand...

So, essentially forget about this feature being implemented in any vehicle older than a year. No auto-maker is gonna roll this out for anything but their brand new models.
 
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jz0309 said:
That's great that it works on the simulator but yesterday we were told it requires some cat manufacturer update that ensures it only works while the car isn't moving (I suppose in park position), so who knows if this will ever come to current vehicles on the market or for sale?!
Besides, I have an EV but my charging stops are way to precious to move/use restroom/get snack etc than watching something on the screen, and they typically last less than 25 min anyways
Click to expand...
Why would this be needed? CarPlay already knows when you’re moving, for example you can only use the keyboard when you’re stationary
 
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avkills said:
I have seen ads with USB dongles that turn wired CarPlay into wireless and they tout being able to support video playback. 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
I’m curious about these. I have a wireless CarPlay adapter (I’ve tried 3-4 and finally found one that’s reliable; the first several
from Carlinkit were quite flaky but the latest one from Ottocast is solid) that I like, but if another one did this sort of thing and was reliable I’d consider it.

Anyone have one they could recommend?
 
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bg1419 said:
I’m curious about these. I have a wireless CarPlay adapter (I’ve tried 3-4 and finally found one that’s reliable; the first several
from Carlinkit were quite flaky but the latest one from Ottocast is solid) that I like, but if another one did this sort of thing and was reliable I’d consider it.

Anyone have one they could recommend?
Click to expand...
I’m using the Linkifun one, no issues. Doesn’t do video though
 
DanteHicks79 said:
So, essentially forget about this feature being implemented in any vehicle older than a year. No auto-maker is gonna roll this out for anything but their brand new models.
Click to expand...
I'd say a bit further than a year. If the platform it's running on is currently the same as the manufacturer's newest cars, this will probably show up.
 
jz0309 said:
That's great that it works on the simulator but yesterday we were told it requires some cat manufacturer update that ensures it only works while the car isn't moving (I suppose in park position), so who knows if this will ever come to current vehicles on the market or for sale?!
Besides, I have an EV but my charging stops are way to precious to move/use restroom/get snack etc than watching something on the screen, and they typically last less than 25 min anyways
Click to expand...
That's how it is now with OnStar. Car needs to be in park. I'd have to imagine this will fall under the same distracted driving laws as cell phones. Car will need to be not moving
 
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jz0309 said:
That's great that it works on the simulator but yesterday we were told it requires some cat manufacturer update that ensures it only works while the car isn't moving (I suppose in park position), so who knows if this will ever come to current vehicles on the market or for sale?!
Besides, I have an EV but my charging stops are way to precious to move/use restroom/get snack etc than watching something on the screen, and they typically last less than 25 min anyways
Click to expand...
Is that just an assumption by MacRumors? Apple can already tell if you're driving or not by the sensors in the iPhone (it's how they can automatically enable the Driving "Focus" mode). If this requires an update from car manufactures, this feature will be about as popular as CarPlay Ultra!
 
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, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability.

CarPlay-Liquid-Glass-Dark.jpg

There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but software developer Thomas Dye managed to get it working to some extent in Xcode's CarPlay simulator on the Mac, and he showed it off in a recent YouTube video (via 9to5Mac).


On an iPhone connected to CarPlay, it appears that videos in any AirPlay-supported app can be played on the car's display. In the Dynamic Island, there is a button that allows you to show the video on the iPhone instead, when you want to.

The demo also reveals that an Apple TV app will be available on CarPlay, allowing you to access shows and movies from the Apple TV streaming service and your own library. There is also a tab for accessing MLS Season Pass. However, it is not entirely clear if the Apple TV app will actually be this fully featured on the real version of CarPlay.

The simulator provides an early albeit fairly clunky look at CarPlay's video streaming in action. The feature will likely be available by time iOS 26.4 is released to the general public in late March or early April, but there is a chance it will get held back until iOS 26.5 or later if Apple needs more time to wrap up development.

Apple's website indicates that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.

Related Reading: iOS 26.4 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Article Link: iOS 26.4's Major New CarPlay Feature Revealed
Click to expand...
What about cars like mine that had Car Toys add CarPlay to my car? Will I get Apple TV movies as well when I am parked?
 
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Great. One more reason for people to not pay attention to their driving. Thanks, Apple. Way to follow the herd instead of innovating, as has been the trend for years, now. Apple glasses would make this SO much better. 😐😐 That is sarcasm.
 
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MacRumors said:
Apple's website indicates that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.
Click to expand...

This functionality already exists. It's why you can't use a keyboard in Maps while you're in any other gear besides Park, even as a passenger.
 
Might be the only reason to upgrade to iOS 26. My Kia has a color screen and a AV button but there’s no video options anywhere even if I plug in a USB stick with a MP4 it refuses to play it. 🙄 📺
 
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