Tesla Is Finally Testing Apple CarPlay Integration But on Its Own Terms

Tesla might finally be opening the door to Apple CarPlay but not all the way. According to Bloomberg, the automaker has started testing CarPlay integration internally, marking a major shift from its long-standing resistance to third-party software.

For years, Tesla has taken a different route than everyone else, building its infotainment system from the ground up instead of adopting Apple’s or Google’s platforms. The result? A smooth, uniquely Tesla interface packed with navigation, streaming apps, web browsing, and even Musk’s Grok AI chatbot. But as polished as it is, many owners have continued asking for one thing: CarPlay.

Back in the mid-2010s, Elon Musk said Tesla was exploring CarPlay and Android Auto, but the idea faded away. Since then, Tesla’s rivals including Ford, GM, and Hyundai have made CarPlay standard across their lineups. Ironically, as many automakers begin pulling away from Apple and Google to build their own operating systems, Tesla might be stepping in just as others step out.

“The carmaker has started testing the capability internally,” Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the effort. “The CarPlay platform long supported by other automakers shows users a version of the iPhone’s software that’s optimized for vehicle infotainment systems. It’s considered a must-have option by many drivers.”

The report claims Tesla is developing a windowed version of CarPlay, keeping its native system intact while letting iPhone users access familiar features like Maps, Music, and Messages. Tesla owners would still have full access to Tesla’s built-in features like navigation, energy apps, media streaming, browser, and Grok AI while being able to pull up Apple Maps, Messages, or Music on demand. This hybrid design would make Tesla one of the few automakers to integrate CarPlay without giving up control of its interface.

Tesla reportedly plans to support wireless CarPlay, though it will use the standard version not Apple’s new “Ultra” CarPlay, which can take over climate controls and instrument clusters. In short, Tesla is giving drivers what they want while keeping its hands firmly on the wheel.

The report also hints that the feature could launch in the next few months, though that’s not guaranteed. Tesla has shelved similar plans before, and the company often tests features long before they reach customers. But even the act of testing CarPlay suggests a shift in Tesla’s philosophy: a willingness to give drivers more choice rather than keeping them in a single ecosystem.

So, why now? There are a few likely reasons. For one, customer demand hasn’t gone away, CarPlay consistently ranks among the most requested features in Tesla owner surveys. Second, as Tesla faces growing competition from legacy automakers offering deeply integrated infotainment systems, adding CarPlay could help appeal to a wider audience. It’s a small feature with a big symbolic weight, a sign that Tesla might finally be softening its stance on third-party software.

If the rollout happens, Tesla would instantly bridge a long-standing gap between its cars and the rest of the digital world. For drivers who rely on iPhones daily, that means a smoother, more familiar experience and fewer reasons to miss what other automakers already offer.

Source: Reuters