Drive.com
TESLA may be preparing to reverse its long-held opposition to Apple CarPlay, with a new report suggesting the EV giant has begun internal testing of the popular smartphone-mirroring technology.
According to Reuters, Tesla engineers are trialling CarPlay integration within the company, though a final decision to release the feature to customers has not yet been made.
If approved, Tesla would join the majority of global car brands that offer Apple CarPlay, despite previously insisting its in-house software ecosystem was sufficient.
Tesla has long refused to adopt either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, instead promoting its own infotainment interface, which runs apps like Google Maps, Spotify and various messaging platforms natively. However, insiders quoted in the report say CarPlay could be added within months, though there is still no guarantee it will reach production vehicles.
Early versions of the system reportedly feature wireless connectivity and appear within a window on Tesla’s main display rather than occupying the full screen. Some manufacturers allow CarPlay to take over the entire interface, while others retain native vehicle controls around the margins to ensure drivers can still access essential functions while using CarPlay.
Tesla’s softening stance appears to reflect shifts in the broader industry – and in its relationship with Apple. With Apple formally abandoning its own electric- car project, and research showing that about one in three new-car buyers consider CarPlay or Android Auto essential, the pressure on Tesla to offer the technology has intensified.
Smartphone integration is rapidly evolving, with Apple unveiling CarPlay Ultra, an expanded system that integrates not just media and navigation but also digital instruments and vehicle controls in a unified display.
Brands including Aston Martin, Hyundai, Kia, Ford and Porsche have expressed interest, and Aston Martin has already committed to using CarPlay Ultra in production.
Meanwhile, some companies are steering away from Apple’s platform. General Motors plans to move toward a proprietary Google-based interface in future models, and US EV maker Rivian continues to sell vehicles without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
