Tesla Working to Add Apple CarPlay Support to Vehicles

[MacRumors]

Tesla is working to add support for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.

Tesla vehicles rely on its own infotainment software system, which integrates vehicle functions, navigation, music, web browsing, and more. The automaker has been an outlier in foregoing support for Apple CarPlay, which has otherwise become an industry standard feature, allowing users to mirror their iPhone apps to their in-car infotainment screen.

Now, Tesla seems to have abruptly reversed course and apparently intends to add support for the highly requested feature. Apple CarPlay for Tesla vehicles is said to now be in testing, according to several individuals familiar with the matter. The company has purportedly discussed a roll out of feature "in the coming months," but release plans are not yet finalized and it could come at a later date.

Tesla's adoption of CarPlay will involve the feature operating "within a window inside its broader interface," rather than being a full-screen experience like it is in most vehicles. Tesla's implementation will also be the standard version of wireless CarPlay, rather than the next-generation CarPlay Ultra that started rolling out earlier this year.

Tesla apparently hopes that adding support for Apple CarPlay will help boost sales, with some prospective buyers citing the lack of CarPlay support as a reason for not choosing the company's cars.

Article Link: Tesla Working to Add Apple CarPlay Support to Vehicles

 

[MacUserFella]

Elon Musk, the most bipolar baby, what happened to “I hate Apple!” or whatever?

 

[Sean Patrick]

As a Tesla owner I can't tell you how awesome this would be, but I can't see how it's actually possible. Tesla has one of the best car interfaces available, but no way I can see them capitulating in this way

 

[cocky jeremy]

I still wouldn't buy one.

1) They're junk.
2) Elon will just get pissy with Apple and take it away when he gets upset.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I wonder if this is part of a bid to get Apple onboard with his satellites. You let me connect your phones, I'll let you connect my cars.

 

[budselectjr]

People are allowed to change their minds. Good for Tesla to go anti GM and give people options. This has been requested for a long time by customers and I’m sure Apple is happy as well.

 

[dantay]

I mean………let’s not rush into this.

 

[Xaositek]

GM should be taking notes here as they have announced the removal of CarPlay / Android Auto on all future cars

 

[timber]

As a Tesla owner I can't tell you how awesome this would be, but I can't see how it's actually possible. Tesla has one of the best car interfaces available, but no way I can see them capitulating in this way

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Tesla someday could decide that they have to compromise but I really don't see things going in that direction in the auto world, quite the opposite.

 

[Craiger]

Holiday update perhaps? That’s when they drop big fan favorites usually.

Intel atom support?

 

[jaytv111]

GM drops Carplay, Tesla adds Carplay, what's happening???

Alright RJ, please copy Tesla on this one so buying a Rivian doesn't feel like missing out compared to most gas cars.

 

[Techwatcher]

Elon Musk, the most bipolar baby, what happened to “I hate Apple!” or whatever?

He’s probably happy they’re dropping ChatGPT for Gemini.

 

[dynamojoe]

I'd like to see this (I drive a recent-ish model 3) but I don't see Herr Müsk giving up access to driver data.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Elon Musk, the most bipolar baby, what happened to “I hate Apple!” or whatever?

You mean the guy who wanted Apple to buy Tesla so he could become CEO of both companies? That Elon Musk?

 

[jz0309]

Options are a good thing, even though almost all of the Tesla owners on here say they wouldn't use/need it...
And then, I believe it when I see it...

 

[tivoboy]

Cheap b…d will never pay the licensing fee. Or pay for the integration costs.. heck we couldn’t’ even get a simple little Satellite radio receiver..I mean those things are TINY today and it would be GREAT on roadtrips AND lower data bandwidth usage.. but noo, not invented here, no go.

 

[ikramerica]

Just put in a sandboxed window. I can’t imagine it’s that difficult.

 

[csnwbd2251]

As a Tesla owner I can't tell you how awesome this would be, but I can't see how it's actually possible. Tesla has one of the best car interfaces available, but no way I can see them capitulating in this way

I absolutely agree. Carplay is only as good as the auto's interface & hardware it pins to. Both my F150 and and former 2020 Subaru Outback have issues with it so it's not reliable there in my opinion. If it works well in my Tesla then I will be satisfied and look forward to use it but if not, Tesla's software/interface is still there which is solid.

 

[DocMultimedia]

If my Tesla had CarPlay I wouldn't have sold it last year. My Honda has it. Tesla didn't.

 

[BSoares]

I don't know, I think Mark is crazy if he thinks this is happening. Tesla's system is too integrated for them to add this and still work well. I honestly thought I would miss CarPlay a lot when I got my Tesla but I don't miss it. Having Waze up on the screen would be nice but Tesla nav is so smooth. I have Apple Music right on the car so don't really need that from CarPlay. And I don't do texting while driving so I don't mind not having the integrated Messages app.

If this ends up happening, I wonder if this will be wireless CarPlay or require your phone to be connected via USB-C.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Adding CarPlay will absolutely boost sales Elon. Smart move

 

[wonderings]

I would not use it in my Tesla. What Tesla has is way better then CarPlay which looks like kids blocks in comparison. apple does do the messaging better but that is about it. Also what would CarPlay Ultra bring to Tesla vehicles? Only two of their models have 2 screens. The X and the S. Everything else is a single screen and unless Apple could handle things like FSD being turned on and off again it would not bring anything actually useful outside of making it look like a kids car inside.

 

[neilw]

This is great news for Tesla owners.

I ditched my Model 3 recently but if I still had it I would probably want to continue using the built-in navigation but use CarPlay for phone, messages, and audio stuff. Whether the two will coexist nicely enough to allow that remains to be seen.

 

[turbineseaplane]

They are specifically not working on Android Auto support at this time.

Just adding CarPlay.

Wow.

 

[drew0020]

I don't use CarPlay except on rental cars, but if it brings more people to Tesla i'm all for it (Currently have a couple tesla's, but my next car will be a R2 in 2026.)