CarPlay gets a big upgrade in iOS 26, and it's perfect for road trip stops

Summary

iOS 26 will let users play videos on their car’s main display while it’s parked with CarPlay and Airplay video.
Automakers will need to add support for the feature, so it might not be available to everyone initially.
Apple recently released CarPlay Ultra, its premium CarPlay experience.

Apple CarPlay makes my long commutes more bearable. While I appreciate the interactivity and convenience of Apple’s in-car interface, I would enjoy it even more if it allowed me to play videos while my car is parked. That dream might finally be coming true.

First spotted by MacRumors, Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 update will allow users to cast videos from their iPhone to the center display of their car using CarPlay. This is made possible by AirPlay video, which Apple states will enable people to “watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren’t driving.”

This means that if you’re an iPhone user with Apple CarPlay, you can wirelessly stream whatever you’re watching on your phone to the main screen in your car using AirPlay, just like when you AirPlay a video to your TV.

For safety reasons, this feature will only be available while the car is parked, helping to prevent any instances of distracted driving. Reportedly, the iPhone connected to CarPlay will be able to detect whether the vehicle is parked or not.

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Automakers will need to add support

Not every vehicle with CarPlay may support this at launch

Apple

While playing videos in your car using CarPlay and AirPlay sounds appealing, this feature won’t immediately be available to anyone with a CarPlay-capable vehicle and an iPhone running iOS 26.

On Apple’s developer website, it says, “integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.” Reportedly, this means that automakers will need to implement support for CarPlay with AirPlay video in their vehicles. So, while iOS 26 is expected to launch this fall, the ability to play videos in your car might take a bit longer if automakers must support and implement it. Of course, with any feature that could distract drivers, automakers are likely seeking explicit assurances from Apple that it can only be used while the car is parked.

Of course, being able to play videos on a car’s infotainment system when it’s parked isn’t anything new. Many electric vehicles allow users to watch videos or play games on the car’s primary screen while parked. In particular, Teslas have long offered the ability to watch YouTube videos, Netflix, Hulu, and more in Tesla’s Theater mode, which can only be used while the car is parked.

I can see myself taking advantage of AirPlay video with CarPlay while taking a break during a long trip and grabbing a bite to eat.

iOS 26 is currently in developer beta ahead of a public beta, and Apple has not shared any additional details about AirPlay videos in cars yet. As the launch of iOS 26 approaches this fall, there’s a good chance we’ll learn more about it and the specifics regarding availability. Given the different safety regulations in various countries, it’s possible this feature may not be available worldwide.

I use CarPlay in my Hyundai, and it’s one of my favorite features of the entire vehicle. It’s handy for navigating to places, controlling Spotify, and making hands-free calls. I don’t think I could drive a car without CarPlay ever again; that’s how much I love it. I can see myself taking advantage of AirPlay video with CarPlay while taking a break during a long trip and grabbing a bite to eat. Hopefully, automakers will be able to implement it retroactively in older vehicles, not just in newer ones.

Apple recently launched CarPlay Ultra, its premium CarPlay experience that takes over all the screens in a car, including instrument gauges. However, so far, it is only available in new Aston Martins.