iOS 26.4 is here, at least in beta form, and a code dive revealed that Apple is preparing CarPlay to let you watch videos while you’re parked.
iOS 26.4 beta 1 code suggests that CarPlay video support is in the works
Last year when iOS 26 was first announced, Apple highlighted many of the new features coming to CarPlay.
One such feature, confirmed on Apple’s website, was support for watching videos in the car while parked.
However, unlike the other new CarPlay features that all arrived in iOS 26.0, the “in-car video” feature was never delivered.
It looks like that might change in iOS 26.4.
Yesterday’s beta 1 release contains a number of CarPlay code links to this feature. Aaron Perris discovered one of the first:
in addition 9 to 5 Mac revealed the following new code references:
- CarPlayVideoPlayback_ClimateControls
- CarPlayVideoPlayback_DestinationBanner
- CarPlayVideoPlayback_Notifications
- CarPlayVideoPlayback_OnBoardingFlows
- CarPlayVideoPlayback_TempatedTVApp
None of this officially confirms that iOS 26.4 will be an in-car video-enabled update. However, Apple seems to be planning for that outcome at the moment, at least.
One key detail to keep in mind: Apple’s website seems to indicate that automakers must opt in to activate the feature. He says to the automakers:
Video in the car
AirPlay video in the car allows people to watch their favorite iPhone videos right on their CarPlay display when they’re not driving. Integrate CarPlay support with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.
So in-car video may eventually be available for some CarPlay vehicles at launch, but not for others.
During the beta cycle of iOS 26.4, we will inform you about the further development of CarPlay.
Is in-car video a feature you want in CarPlay? Let us know in the comments.
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