Apple is reportedly set to make the in-car entertainment better with a massive change in its upcoming iOS 26 update. The users will be able to project their videos from their iPhones directly on the infotainment screen through AirPlay. This feature is categorised under the video in the car on its developer site, the report stated.
As per MacRumors, the new feature is aimed at offering the passengers of parked drivers to enjoy content on the go without any third-party hacks or jailbreak workarounds. The company stated that videos will only be viewable when the car is parked and not in driving mode, a clear move to stay within safety boundaries and ease automaker concerns.
The report added that the rollout will not be instant and the automakers will have to opt and add support for the feature. This means that the availability of the feature will totally depend on the car manufacturer’s adoption and system compatibility. Till now, no major car brand has publicly committed to support the feature and Apple has not added details on which vehicles or hardware will be compatible.
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However, the rollout won’t be instant. Automakers will need to opt in and add support for this feature, meaning its availability will depend on manufacturer adoption and system compatibility. So far, no major car brands have publicly committed to supporting the feature, and Apple has not detailed which vehicles or hardware will be compatible, the report added.
The new AirPlay video projection is part of Apple’s larger effort to provide in-car experiences, which also includes digital car keys and CarPlay Ultra, though adoption may differ. On the other hand, the majority of automakers are still hesitant to give up dashboard space to tech giants, and some are still figuring out how to integrate these systems without compromising safety or control.
Meanwhile, native video playback apps like YouTube or Netflix are already supported by Android Automotive OS-based systems, Rivian, and Tesla, typically when the vehicle is not moving.
Expect this to be a small but important CarPlay development until iOS 26 is formally released and automakers commit. It may influence how we enjoy entertainment while driving, parked, and in a safe position.