Developer Showcases Apple CarPlay Workaround for Teslas

A Tesla Model 3 owner has resorted to a workaround to implement Apple CarPlay in his vehicle, amid no sign of official support from Tesla (via Tesla North).

tesla carplay solution
Apple ‌CarPlay‌ and Apple Music support are among the most-requested Tesla features, but with no indication that Tesla is willing to implement Apple ‌CarPlay‌ in its vehicles, Polish developer Michał Gapiński took matters into his own hands. Using a Rasberry Pi and the car's browser, Gapiński was able to get a fully functional version of Apple ‌CarPlay‌ running on his Tesla's display and shared the result on Twitter.

The system works using a Rasberry Pi with an LTE modem and a Wi-Fi access point, running a custom Android-based firmware. The in-car browser is then used to connect to the Rasberry Pi and display the ‌CarPlay‌ interface on the Tesla's screen, with all apps working as expected, including Maps and ‌Apple Music‌. The Tesla Apple ‌CarPlay‌ solution continues to work while driving and can even be controlled with the car's steering wheel buttons.

Gapiński is now working on improving the Wi-Fi connection to make the stream smoother. He says that the project is still in its early stages, but once it is ready he plans to release the solution to the public.

Tesla has a strained relationship with Apple and seems to want full control over its infotainment system, making the chances of Apple ‌CarPlay‌ support in the near future very unlikely. Despite signs that Tesla was planning to support Apple Music, this has similarly not come to fruition.

Most carmakers offer Apple ‌CarPlay‌ in their vehicles, making Tesla's omission a notable exception. Some electric cars that seek to directly compete with Tesla, such as the BMW i4, BMW iX, and Porsche Taycan, offer heavily integrated versions of Apple CarPlay, as well as other Apple services such as Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, including support for features such as time-synced lyrics.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Tesla

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Top Rated Comments

Number 41 Avatar
41 months ago
Lack of CarPlay is the one* thing keeping me from buying a Tesla.

* - Not having space in the budget for a $60,000 car also a heavy factor if we’re being honest.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SSonnentag Avatar
41 months ago
It really is sad that the leader in EV tech is too arrogant to admit that some AV standards are worth embracing. I'm all for vertical integration, but come on, Elon, get with the program!
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
killawat Avatar
41 months ago

Odd how even long holdout Toyota eventually settled on CarPlay, yet Tesla is still shrugging their shoulders.
Exactly. And why aren't Tesla owners shouting on the rooftops about this? I will never buy a car without CarPlay. Nope, not going back.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rk-apple Avatar
41 months ago
I love my Tesla. The integrated maps in the Tesla have great details about supercharger locations, usage, etc. How about a trade off? Apple integrates supercharger info into its Maps app and Tesla agrees to allow CarPlay.

In the meantime, I'd settle of an Apple Music option on the Tesla UI.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dugbug Avatar
41 months ago

I agree. It’s frustrating and it makes no sense why Apple CarPlay isn’t allowed on Teslas by Apple. Can't even open up the music app. That's another reason I refuse to purchase it :(
You think its apple stopping tesla from providing carplay?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SSonnentag Avatar
41 months ago
Apple says it doesn’t charge automakers a fee to use CarPlay
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)