iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Source: MacRumors

Back at WWDC 2025, Apple announced plans to let CarPlay users watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while the car is parked. The first beta of iOS 26.4 includes several references to this CarPlay video‑streaming functionality in its source code. Although the feature isn’t yet visible to the public, developer Thomas Dye managed to get it working in Xcode’s CarPlay simulator on macOS and demonstrated it in a recent YouTube video (reported by 9to5Mac).

How the Demo Works

• When an iPhone is connected to CarPlay, videos from any AirPlay‑supported app can be played on the car’s display.
• A button in the Dynamic Island lets you switch the video back to the iPhone screen when 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. A tab for MLS Season Pass is visible as well, though it’s unclear whether the full Apple TV app will be available on production CarPlay units.

Expected Release Timeline

• The simulator offers an early, albeit somewhat clunky, glimpse of CarPlay video streaming.
• The feature is likely to ship with the public release of iOS 26.4, slated for late March or early April 2025.
• If Apple needs additional development time, the rollout could be delayed until iOS 26.5 or later.

Automaker Implementation

Apple’s safety requirements dictate that CarPlay video playback is only allowed when the vehicle is parked. Consequently, automakers will need to add support for this functionality, which may affect how quickly the feature becomes widely available.