iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability.

CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark
There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but software developer Thomas Dye managed to get it working to some extent in Xcode's CarPlay simulator on the Mac, and he showed it off in a recent YouTube video (via 9to5Mac).


On an iPhone connected to CarPlay, it appears that videos in any AirPlay-supported app can be played on the car's display. In the Dynamic Island, there is a button that allows you to show the video on the iPhone instead, when you want to.

The demo also reveals that an Apple TV app will be available on CarPlay, allowing you to access shows and movies from the Apple TV streaming service and your own library. There is also a tab for accessing MLS Season Pass. However, it is not entirely clear if the Apple TV app will actually be this fully featured on the real version of CarPlay.

The simulator provides an early albeit fairly clunky look at CarPlay's video streaming in action. The feature will likely be available by time iOS 26.4 is released to the general public in late March or early April, but there is a chance it will get held back until iOS 26.5 or later if Apple needs more time to wrap up development.

Apple's website indicates that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.

Related Reading: iOS 26.4 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Related Roundups: CarPlay, iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Tag: AirPlay

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...
M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Gurman: iPhone 18 Pro Could Be Underwhelming

Monday February 16, 2026 4:24 am PST by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models "won't be a big update," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone 18 Pro models will "represent minor tweaks from last year's iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max." He compared the upgrade to Apple's past practice of appending the letter "S" to its more minor...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Rumor: Apple to Announce Multiple New Products in First Week of March

Tuesday February 17, 2026 6:35 pm PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. And now, rumors are surfacing about Apple's broader plans for that week. Daring Fireball's John Gruber today guessed that Apple will announce new products on a day-by-day basis from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4:What strikes...

Top Rated Comments

5 hours ago at 10:01 am

That's great that it works on the simulator but yesterday we were told it requires some cat manufacturer update that ensures it only works while the car isn't moving (I suppose in park position), so who knows if this will ever come to current vehicles on the market or for sale?!
Besides, I have an EV but my charging stops are way to precious to move/use restroom/get snack etc than watching something on the screen, and they typically last less than 25 min anyways
Why would this be needed? CarPlay already knows when you’re moving, for example you can only use the keyboard when you’re stationary
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
d-klumpp Avatar
4 hours ago at 10:30 am
I cannot EVER imagine needing this feature. Instead, focus on a weather radar overlay for Maps! Too often, I feel the youthful Apple engineers in sunny CA don't quite get what most of us need IRL.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4 hours ago at 10:52 am

Apple's website indicates ('https://developer.apple.com/carplay/') that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.
Got it, so basically will never see this on my 2023 Chevy Bolt.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
5 hours ago at 09:41 am
That's great that it works on the simulator but yesterday we were told it requires some cat manufacturer update that ensures it only works while the car isn't moving (I suppose in park position), so who knows if this will ever come to current vehicles on the market or for sale?!
Besides, I have an EV but my charging stops are way to precious to move/use restroom/get snack etc than watching something on the screen, and they typically last less than 25 min anyways
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DanteHicks79 Avatar
5 hours ago at 09:51 am

Apple's website indicates ('https://developer.apple.com/carplay/') that automakers will need to implement support for the CarPlay video functionality, due to the safety requirement that the vehicle be parked, so it may take some time for the feature to widely roll out.
So, essentially forget about this feature being implemented in any vehicle older than a year. No auto-maker is gonna roll this out for anything but their brand new models.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Iconoclysm Avatar
4 hours ago at 10:26 am

or you can watch on the much superior screen of the phone itself...
My car has a huge screen and Dolby Atmos audio. Not even close.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)