If there’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do with Apple CarPlay, it’s play videos on my car’s screen. Not while driving, of course, but when I’m parked and waiting for a friend or stopped during a road trip for a break.
Back when iOS 26 was announced at WWDC 2025, there was renewed hope that CarPlay video might finally become a reality. Shortly after the keynote, Apple updated its developer site with details about a new CarPlay capability called “Video in the car,” describing it as a way for “people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren’t driving.”
When iOS 26 launched last fall, unfortunately, there was no sign that the feature was actually working yet. But with iOS 26.4 coming soon, there are finally signs that CarPlay video is getting closer to reality. Source code spotted in the iOS 26.4 beta references CarPlay video support, specifically tied to Apple TV. Luckily, one software developer has already gotten the feature working, and the results are very promising.
Apple TV is coming to CarPlay
You can also use AirPlay to watch videos from other apps
Thomas Dyre, a YouTuber and software developer, managed to get CarPlay video up and running in a simulated CarPlay environment using the iOS 26.4 beta. One of the biggest things he discovered was that Apple appears to be developing a version of the Apple TV app specifically for CarPlay.
In Dyre’s video, he walks through how the app looks, and it’s clear Apple has created a simplified version of the Apple TV app tailored for a car’s display. You get a familiar home screen with quick access to your Continue Watching list, the top 10 shows and movies on Apple TV, and featured content. You can also dive into your personal library, and there’s even a dedicated tab for MLS (Major League Soccer).
Most importantly, as for the video-watching experience itself, when Dyre opened a show on Apple TV, CarPlay’s interface turned into a video player, with many of the same controls you’re already used to, such as rewind, pause, play, and skip forward or back 10 seconds. Apple TV will also automatically adjust the video resolution to fit your car’s display.
Outside of Apple TV, Dyre also found that apps that support AirPlay can cast video to your car’s display via CarPlay when it’s enabled.
For example, if you open a YouTube video while your iPhone is connected to CarPlay, a prompt appears in Dynamic Island asking if you want to watch it through CarPlay. Tap that, and the video player pops up on your car’s screen. If you decide you’d rather switch back to your iPhone, there’s an option in Dynamic Island that lets you move it back just as easily.
This information comes from a beta version of iOS 26.4, so things may change before CarPlay video releases.
There are still lots of questions about CarPlay video
Compatibility is a big question mark
Based on Dyre’s demo, Apple’s work on CarPlay video looks incredibly promising. It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into making the experience feel seamless and native to the car screen. But as exciting as it looks, there are still a few big unanswered questions.
First, it’s unclear whether the feature will actually launch with iOS 26.4, which is expected sometime in March or April. Apple could easily decide it needs more time to polish things, which could push it back. We likely won’t know for sure until we get closer to the official release.
Second, there’s the big compatibility question: which cars will actually support CarPlay video? On its developer site, Apple says automakers need to “integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.” That suggests an iOS update alone might not be enough. Car manufacturers may also need to roll out their own software updates to enable support.
…it will be interesting to see whether major streaming services like YouTube or Netflix will also offer their own CarPlay apps, as Apple has done for Apple TV.
Third, there’s the question of how many developers and streaming services will actually support this. While you can AirPlay to cast videos to CarPlay, it will be interesting to see whether major streaming services like YouTube or Netflix will also offer their own CarPlay apps, as Apple has done for Apple TV.
One thing we do know is that Apple has put safety front and center. CarPlay video will only work when the vehicle is in park. The moment the car starts moving, video playback through CarPlay is disabled entirely. That safeguard helps ensure everyone remains safe when this feature rolls out and prevents distracted driving.
All in all, I’m really excited for CarPlay video to finally roll out, and based on what’s been discovered in the iOS 26.4 beta with Apple TV, it feels like that day is getting closer. There have been so many times I’ve been waiting in my car to pick up a friend or family member, wishing I could throw on a quick video via CarPlay while I’m parked, and I can’t wait to finally be able to do that. However, whether my Hyundai actually supports it is a whole other story. Compatibility is still the big question mark here.
