Tesla owners are still waiting for Apple CarPlay due to technical problems with Apple Maps and Tesla's navigation. Learn about the delays and when it might arrive.
© A. Krivonosov
It appears that Apple Maps is the reason Tesla owners are still waiting for Apple CarPlay integration. According to a recent report, the feature's launch is being delayed due to technical difficulties in making the two systems work together.
Many Tesla and iPhone owners love their cars for speed and technology but have long dreamed of CarPlay—one of the most sought-after features in modern vehicles. For some owners, the absence of CarPlay has even made them consider other brands. The wait seems likely to end soon, though some issues remain unresolved.
Mark Gurman reports that Tesla is actively working on implementing CarPlay. The plan is for the feature to operate in a separate window on the car's screen. However, Apple Maps doesn't always interact correctly with Tesla's navigation system, causing delays. Apple had to optimize the app for the electric vehicles' hardware, and the necessary fixes only appeared in the latest versions of iOS 26.
Tesla is now waiting for most users to update their iPhones to iOS 26—this covers about 74% of new models, but adoption is slower than usual. That's why the feature isn't yet available to all owners.
Tesla previously believed its own system was functional enough for Spotify, Apple Music, and internet services. But most owners use iPhones and prefer CarPlay. Integrating it removes one of the last arguments in favor of competitors like Rivian and Lucid, which already support CarPlay.
An agreement between Tesla and Apple is expected to allow CarPlay to work in Tesla vehicles in the near future, providing long-awaited convenience for iPhone owners.