Apple just announced a long-requested CarPlay feature: video playback via AirPlay. With the upcoming iOS 26 update, iPhone users will be able to stream videos from their phones directly to their car’s infotainment screen — but only when the vehicle is parked. The move aligns Apple’s in-car entertainment offering with Android-based systems and EV dashboards like Tesla’s, which already support parked video streaming.
This new AirPlay video in the car functionality will allow drivers and passengers to enjoy their favorite shows and clips while waiting, charging, or resting. The connected iPhone will detect when the vehicle starts moving and will automatically stop video playback to avoid distracted driving hazards — a smart and expected safeguard.
The feature is particularly well-timed for electric vehicles, where drivers often wait at charging stations. Tesla’s Theater app has made this a standard luxury for years, with Netflix, YouTube, and Twitch integration on its dashboard. Apple’s decision to finally follow suit makes sense as more vehicles adopt next-gen CarPlay and infotainment systems become more content-friendly.
It’s worth noting that video playback via CarPlay won’t arrive instantly everywhere. Automakers will need to integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video, and some may take a cautious approach given regulatory and safety concerns. Additionally, Apple hasn’t confirmed whether existing vehicles with CarPlay will get this via software updates or if it’s reserved for upcoming models with CarPlay Ultra.
As someone who’s seen third-party hacks and jailbreak tweaks attempt this in the past, it’s good to see Apple finally doing this natively — with proper safety checks in place. It might feel like catch-up compared to Android-powered systems, but it’s a solid and sensible addition to the iOS 26 ecosystem.
