Apple made a major U-turn with CarPlay after a decade of not allowing video playback. Starting with iOS 26, Apple technically allows apps to display video through the CarPlay screen while parked.
The capability falls under the name ‘video in the car’ and was first mentioned on Apple’s developer website for CarPlay:
AirPlay video in the car enables people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren’t driving. Integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.
Apple points developers and automakers interested in making and supporting CarPlay apps with video playback to learn more:
If you are interested in supporting CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra, AirPlay video, or car keys in your vehicle system, learn more about the MFi Program.
In April 2025, a third-party app managed to get a CarPlay web browser with video playback through App Store review, but the feature was later removed.
Since iOS 26, video playback while parked has been allowed for the first time.
Support is anything but universal, however, as each automaker controls whether or not to allow the AirPlay video in the car.
Top comment by coder543
Ok, now what about pinch to zoom so drivers aren’t distracted by navigating the maze of buttons to simply zoom the map a little?
As of February 2026, however, there’s no public commitment from automakers planning to support video playback through CarPlay while parked.
For that reason, it’s unclear if we’ll actually see video playback anytime soon. Support requires explicit automaker support, not just app developer support.
Apple also improved CarPlay with redesigned icons and appearance options, widget support, and updates to Music, Messages, and more.
For now, no automakers have commented on supporting video support.
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