Apple CarPlay Finally Coming to Tesla EVs? Internal Trials Reportedly Signal Policy U-Turn

Tesla could finally offer Apple’s CarPlay in-vehicle connectivity and entertainment features to its drivers, in what would be a dramatic policy reversal. The EV maker, which prides itself on its tech-forward brand identity and features, has so far refused to allow Apple or Google to have any control over the user experience inside its cars, believing its own infotainment and navigation software to be superior. 

However, internal tests of CarPlay integration, as first reported by Bloomberg, suggest that Tesla might be loosening its stance. Smartphone integration is often cited as a must-have feature for car buyers. Tesla is among a small number of companies that have resisted offering it so far, though some existing partners including GM have announced that they intend to drop it, hoping to control more of the user experience with their own in-house alternatives.

According to the report, Tesla might have found a satisfactory middle ground solution – the company’s internal tests purportedly have CarPlay running in a separate window on the car’s main screen, not taking it over entirely. This means that Tesla’s native UI is still visible, allowing for things like car features to be controlled. This could mean that the company will allow users to choose Apple’s integrated solution for things like messaging and phone calls, but would still encourage them to use its native navigation and entertainment tools.

Tesla is also still likely to prioritise its own sister company xAI’s Grok AI assistant in-car. The company preloads several apps but does not have its own app store for users to download more. In India, the Model Y launched this year without any Indian apps or local-language integration, which users could get around with CarPlay and Android Auto, if needed.

While there’s no word on similar tests for Google’s ecosystem equivalent, called Android Auto, it is unlikely that Tesla would choose to support one but not the other. Wired as well as wireless smartphone integration is likely to be offered if such plans go ahead. There is no clear timeline for when CarPlay support could be rolled out. 

However, there does seem to be a limit to which carmakers are willing to allow external tech companies to control the user experience. Apple has so far had limited uptake for its once-hyped CarPlay Ultra offering, which replaces a car’s entire software experience including the digital drivers’ instrument cluster and essential controls, instead showing them a deeply customised UI. Automotive industry partners have reportedly balked at the prospect of losing access to huge amounts of customer usage behaviour data as well as advertising and potential subscription offerings.