Apple CarPlay in a Tesla? This developer just got it working

Apple tree CarPlay in a Tesla? This developer just got it working

(Image credit: Tesla)

There are plenty of things to like near the applied science inside a Tesla, only in that location are likewise a lot of things we wish the electric cars did. Ane of the biggest gripes I have is the fact Tesla refuses to support Apple CarPlay or Android Car, instead relying on its own custom infotainment system.

However, that doesn't mean you tin can't get Apple CarPlay working within your Tesla. Smooth developer Michał Gapiński got CarPlay running on a Tesla Model iii's infotainment display, albeit with a few caveats.

Steering wheel controls + electric current state of #teslaCarPlay on video. Next stride is to improve Wi-Fi connection, the stream is 2x smoother when viewed on my laptop pic.twitter.com/0wFFUQQPkxJanuary fourteen, 2022

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Gapiński hasn't offered a step-past-stride guide to how he got Apple CarPlay running on the Model 3, only that it involved a Raspberry Pi running a custom Android build and loads CarPlay into the in-machine browser. Finally, a web browser on a auto screen is good for something.

Gapiński also confirmed that he was able to apply the car's steering wheel controls to control Apple Music — a service Tesla's own in-machine organisation still doesn't support. The video also shows how seamlessly CarPlay is within the existing Tesla ecosystem, even if he does appear to take to utilize the mouse to navigate — which is hardly platonic.

That said, CarPlay doesn't interfere with any of the other on-screen features. That's of import in a Model 3 (and by extension a Model Y), because the lack of an musical instrument cluster means all the important driver information is on the center screen. Why? It'due south not clear, since the Model S, Model X, and every other automobile in being, has some sort of panel behind the steering cycle.

Gapiński says he volition release a full tutorial "when it'south polished" and at the moment is working on improving the Wi-Fi connectedness. It'south unclear when the concluding workaround might be ready.

The merely question here is why Tesla nevertheless stubbornly refuses to support CarPlay (and Android Car) in its vehicles. The obvious respond is that it would adopt you to apply its own proprietary software, which has ameliorate integration with the motorcar itself.

So, for instance, if you're merely a long bulldoze and set up to run out of ability, the navigation system can automatically route you to a Supercharger along the fashion. But a lot of these features, navigation included, cost $10 a month. Apple and Google'southward alternatives are costless, provided y'all take an adequate data programme.

Tesla has never fabricated whatever declaration one way or the other. So whether it'south about a seamless 'Tesla' experience, or the fact it doesn't want competition that might make its own pricey services look less appealing, the fact is CarPlay and Android Auto are off limits without some sort of workaround.

It'southward not clear how convenient Gapiński's final method will be, but information technology would offer some more choice to iPhone-toting Tesla owners. Whether that will encourage Tesla to better embrace the idea of giving the customer more option isn't clear, though I personally wouldn't get my hopes upwardly.

In the concurrently, your best option might just be to selection upward a CarPlay-capable screen and utilize that instead.

Tom is the Tom's Guide's Automotive Editor, which means he can usually exist found genu deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It'due south long style from his days as editor of Gizmodo U.k., when pretty much everything was on the table. He'due south usually plant trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of java, or complaining that Ikea won't allow him buy the stuff he actually needs online.