If you've got an iPhone, chances are you've used Apple CarPlay in your own car, a friend's or even a rental. The software mirrors your iPhone, select apps and notifications to your in-car display.
But do you know who doesn't get to use it? Tesla owners. Tesla runs its own software in its electric cars, with no support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It does offer apps for Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, and pairing your phone via Bluetooth lets you receive calls and texts. But it's not the same as CarPlay, much to the annoyance of some Tesla owners.
But there's good news. Tesla is working on adding CarPlay to its cars in the "coming months," according to a Bloomberg report Thursday.
It wouldn't be the CarPlay you're used to, which takes over your car's full display, Bloomberg said. Nor would it be the newer CarPlay Ultra, which takes over your entire car. Rather, it would be a custom implementation for Tesla.
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How CarPlay on a Tesla might work
This is what Tesla's software currently looks like -- things are clean and there are no third-party integrations in sight. Tesla
Tesla reportedly plans to use standard CarPlay, updated for iOS 26, as a starting point. Where it differs is that it will likely operate within a window on Tesla's existing interface. That means it won't completely take over the display like it does in some other cars. It also won't control things like seats or climate, and users will still need Tesla's own navigation app to use features such as Full Self-Driving.
The upcoming CarPlay integration will reportedly be wireless only, in line with newer implementations found in premium vehicles. While Apple's CarPlay is getting the green light, Tesla doesn't appear to be extending the same courtesy to Android Auto, with no support reportedly in the works.
Tesla's decision to integrate CarPlay internally is still under wraps, and the automaker hasn't confirmed anything publicly. But testing has reportedly already begun, suggesting that Tesla is finally bending to one of its most persistent customer demands.
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