Tesla Tests Apple CarPlay, According to Bloomberg

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Key Takeaways:

Tesla is testing Apple CarPlay internally after years of resistance, signaling a possible change driven by customer demand and slowing vehicle sales.
Control remains with Tesla’s interface as CarPlay may run in a smaller window, not replace the entire screen or handle core vehicle functions.
Tesla long rejected CarPlay to maintain full control over media, maps, and UI, avoiding reliance on Apple or Google systems entirely.
Customer preference is pressuring change with 85% of drivers favoring phone-based UIs and nearly half avoiding cars that lack CarPlay or Android Auto.
No official launch confirmed yet and Tesla could still cancel the feature, as it has with other long-tested software in the past.

Tesla, one of the last major automakers to avoid Apple CarPlay, is reportedly testing the feature inside its vehicles. Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with Tesla’s software plans, says the company may roll it out soon, although nothing is guaranteed.

Tesla Testing CarPlay Internally

Bloomberg reports that Tesla’s engineering team has begun experimenting with Apple CarPlay inside the company. This is a major shift, as Tesla has always refused to support phone projection systems like CarPlay or Android Auto. The testing does not confirm a release. Tesla often trials features for months or years before deciding to cancel them.

Why Tesla Resisted CarPlay For So Long

Tesla has always claimed that its in-house software delivers a better experience than smartphone interfaces. The company prefers keeping full control over navigation, media, and vehicle functions instead of relying on Apple or Google systems. This mirrors the strategy of some traditional automakers like GM, which recently doubled down on removing CarPlay from new EVs.

Tensions between Tesla and Apple have also played a role. Elon Musk has criticized Apple’s App Store policies, and Tesla reportedly disliked Apple hiring several of its engineers for its now abandoned car project.

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Falling Sales Could Be Driving the Shift

Bloomberg suggests Tesla’s internal discussions around CarPlay might be tied to the company’s recent sales slump. CarPlay is one of the most requested features among new car buyers. A 2023 global survey found that nearly half of buyers would not purchase a car without CarPlay or Android Auto. The same survey showed that 85 percent of people prefer phone interfaces over built-in car software.

These buyer preferences, combined with slowing demand, may be pushing Tesla to reconsider its earlier stance.

CarPlay Will Not Replace Tesla’s UI

If Tesla adds CarPlay, it will not take over the entire screen. Bloomberg says Tesla is testing a version of CarPlay that runs inside a window within Tesla’s existing interface. This means:

Tesla’s UI will stay in control
CarPlay will run in a smaller section of the screen
Core vehicle features will remain tied to Tesla’s system

Tesla also plans to use the standard CarPlay version rather than Apple’s newer CarPlay Ultra, which integrates deeper features like climate controls and the speedometer.

A Surprising Role Reversal In The Auto Industry

The situation highlights an unusual shift. GM and other automakers are removing CarPlay to build their own software ecosystems, a strategy inspired by Tesla’s original approach. At the same time, Tesla is now exploring the possibility of adding CarPlay, creating a strange reversal in the industry.

Conclusion

Tesla has not confirmed any official plans, but Bloomberg’s report suggests the company is closer than ever to supporting Apple CarPlay. Whether the feature reaches customers or gets dropped during testing remains uncertain.

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