Hidden iOS 7 Settings Reveal 'iOS in the Car' Could Work Over AirPlay - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Hidden iOS 7 Settings Reveal 'iOS in the Car' Could Work Over AirPlay

Shortly after Apple seeded iOS 7 Beta 3 to developers earlier today, user Hamza Sood (via 9to5Mac) discovered toggles in the beta's "Accessory Developer" settings that allow for iOS 7's "iOS in the Car" initiative to work over Wi-Fi in addition to USB.

ios_7_car_airplay
iOS in the Car is an initiative Apple revealed at its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote that provides enhanced iOS integration in automobiles, displaying iOS on in-car monitors to make calls, get messages, look at maps and more.

While it was largely assumed that iOS in the Car would work over a wired USB-to-30-pin or USB-to-Lightning connection, it now appears that iOS in the Car may be available at great convenience with users not having to take their devices out of their pockets or bags to instantly connect to their automobiles, which would have to be outfitted with AirPlay or Wi-Fi to take advantage of the feature.

Major car manufacturers that plan to support iOS in the Car include Honda, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Infiniti, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, Opel and Jaguar. The feature is expected to roll out in 2014 following the launch of iOS 7 this fall.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
Apple Sports Feature

Apple Sports App Receives Two New Features Across iPhone and CarPlay

Monday April 20, 2026 9:31 am PDT by
Apple today updated its Sports app with weather conditions for F1 Grand Prix races and smaller widget options for both the iPhone's Home Screen and CarPlay. The widget lets you view scores for your favorite leagues and teams at a glance. CarPlay gained support for widgets on iOS 26. To view them, swipe right on CarPlay's interface until you reach the Dashboard screen, shown below....
ios 26 4 yellow

iOS 26.4 Added Two New Features to CarPlay

Wednesday April 22, 2026 12:10 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released last month, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....

Top Rated Comments

168 months ago
iAP is the iPod Accessory Protocol (http://mfi.apple.com/faqs#1-1). It's how iOS devices communicate with external accessories, historically over the dock connector or bluetooth.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
I wonder if there will ever be a way to install a new head unit that would be capable of iOS in the Car? If not, i guess it would be a cool DIY.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
168 months ago
Where the hell is Ford & Lincoln?

Ford might have been an early-mover with its Microsoft based Sync, but the world has moved-on and the market has spoken, and MS, Windows Phone, and Sync are not it.

Ford, you have been slammed in customer reviews and surveys for the lousy performance if Sync, such that you have had to start adding knobs back into your best seller vehicles.

Time to realize you are the maker of fine cars and bury your connectivity wet dream and move to iOS before your competitors steal a march on you. (Or did MS tie you up and tie you down?)

One clear way to demonstrate to the market that you get it is to move off platform to a new one.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
Why is't BMW in that list?
They were one of the first with ipod/iphone support?

Yeah...and what about Lexus/Toyota?
My next car might not be a Lexus unless they step it up!!!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
168 months ago
Why is suddenly any connection over wifi called "airplay" - Apple are not referring to it as Airplay so why is GeekWebGuides? Presumably iOS in the car is not just the output of the iPhone onto an external monitor. I presuming you can use the monitor and the radio to do other things too, otherwise what would be the point of it?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sparrky Avatar
168 months ago
I am REALLY looking forward to this.

----------



Toyota (and therefore presumably Lexus) was originally on the list presented at WWDC if I remember correctly. Not sure why it's not on MacRumor's list.

Toyota wasn't. I was looking for it specifically because that's what I always buy. Switching to Nissan now if Toyota doesn't get with the program :p
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)