Tesla could launch CarPlay support ‘in the coming months’, per report

Chance Miller | Nov 13 2025 - 8:28 am PT

Tesla is considering rolling out CarPlay support as soon as the end of this year, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

This marks a huge shift in strategy for the biggest EV maker, which has historically built its entire in-car infrastructure from scratch rather than relying on a third-party.

Tesla’s work on CarPlay

The report says that Tesla is testing CarPlay support internally. Tesla has “discussed a rollout of CarPlay in the coming months, but a plan hasn’t been finalized and a release could come later,” Bloomberg explains.

Tesla is said to be testing the standard version of CarPlay, not the more advanced CarPlay Ultra. Its implementation of CarPlay will reportedly showcase CarPlay as a separate window inside the typical Tesla software interface.

The two interfaces will coexist rather than CarPlay take over the entire experience like it does in some other cars. Tesla will also allegedly support wireless CarPlay.

Tesla plans to feature CarPlay within a window inside its broader interface, the people said. That means the Apple software won’t fully replace the Tesla operating system as it does in many other vehicles.

CarPlay also won’t tap into Tesla features like FSD, or full self-driving mode. Drivers will need to rely on Tesla’s own navigation app for that.

While Tesla doesn’t currently offer CarPlay, it does offer native apps for Apple Music and Apple Podcasts.

Tesla is one of the largest Apple CarPlay holdouts, so its reversal on this stance would be a huge change for the industry. Rivian also doesn’t offer CarPlay support, and GM continues to double down on its plan to abandon CarPlay.

Tesla’s strategy shift comes as the company continues to grapple with falling vehicle sales and increased competition. Adding support for CarPlay, a feature that many buyers consider a must-have, is one lever Tesla can pull to reverse its trajectory (and help Musk secure his $1 trillion payday in the process).

9to5Mac’s Take

I’m fascinated by Tesla’s apparent reversal on this stance. The dual-window solution described by Bloomberg sounds like an excellent compromise. It allows Tesla to control key parts of the in-car experience, even while showing CarPlay at the same time.

I also wonder if this will put pressure on Rivian. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe recently said he is “very confident about” the company’s decision to not offer CarPlay.

I’d be shocked if today’s report about Tesla doesn’t force some awkward conversations inside Rivian.

I would not buy a car without CarPlay, and it’s one of many things I love about my Ford Mustang Mach-E. What about you? If Tesla adds CarPlay support, would you consider buying one? Let us know down in the comments.

My favorite iPhone accessories:

Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon.