iOS 26.4's Major New CarPlay Feature Revealed
Source: MacRumors
Overview
At WWDC 2025 Apple announced plans to let CarPlay users watch video via AirPlay when the vehicle is parked. The first beta of iOS 26.4 contains several references to this CarPlay video‑streaming functionality, suggesting the feature may be close to public release.
Beta Findings
Developer Thomas Dye managed to enable the feature in Xcode’s CarPlay simulator on macOS and demonstrated it in a recent YouTube video (reported by 9to5Mac).
- When an iPhone is connected to CarPlay, videos from any AirPlay‑compatible app can be played on the car’s display.
- A button in the Dynamic Island lets the user switch the video back to the iPhone screen if desired.
- The demo also shows an Apple TV app appearing on CarPlay, providing access to Apple TV+ shows, movies, and the user’s personal library, as well as a tab for MLS Season Pass. (It remains unclear whether the final implementation will include the full set of features shown in the simulator.)
Potential Availability
The simulator offers an early, albeit somewhat clunky, view of CarPlay video streaming in action. The feature could ship with the public release of iOS 26.4, expected in late March or early April 2026. However, Apple may postpone it to iOS 26.5 or later if additional development time is required.
Implications for Automakers
Because the video functionality is gated by a safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, automakers will need to add support for CarPlay video playback in their infotainment systems. This safety constraint could delay widespread rollout as manufacturers implement the necessary changes.
This article originally appeared on MacRumors.com.