Tesla Reportedly Postpones CarPlay Introduction Due to iOS 26

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Tesla is still working on integrating Apple CarPlay into its vehicles, but the rollout is being delayed. As Mark Gurman reports in his Bloomberg newsletter Power On, there are two main reasons for the delay: technical incompatibilities between Apple Maps and Tesla's own navigation software, and the slow adoption of iOS 26.

The planned CarPlay implementation differs significantly from the usual full-screen integration used by other manufacturers. Tesla plans to run CarPlay as a window within its own software interface. Approximately two-thirds of the screen will be available for iPhone apps, while the left third and the bottom bar will continue to display Tesla-specific information such as speed, battery level, and Full Self-Driving visualizations.

Conflicting Navigation Instructions as a Problem

According to the report, the main problem lies in the parallel display of Apple Maps and Tesla's own map software. The two navigation systems do not synchronize, which could lead to conflicting instructions. This is particularly critical when Autopilot or Full Self-Driving is active, where precise and unambiguous navigation cues are essential.

Apple has apparently agreed to introduce changes to Maps after Tesla's request. However, the corresponding fix was not implemented in the initial iOS 26.0 release but was delivered in a later update. This leads to the second reason for the delay: at the end of 2025, too few iPhones were equipped with the necessary update.

iOS 26 is Spreading Slower Than Hoped

According to current Apple figures from February 12, 2026, iOS 26 is running on 74 percent of iPhones from the last four years. While this sounds like high adoption at first glance, it is below the adoption rate of iOS 18 at the same point last year, which was 76 percent. Since the Maps fix was not included in the base release, it remains unclear how many users actually have the compatible version.

Tesla is apparently waiting for sufficient adoption of the updated iOS 26 version before CarPlay arrives. According to Gurman, this could "take a long time." There is no concrete timeline for the introduction, and speculation suggests a possible launch in spring 2026.

Wireless Integration Without System Access

The planned CarPlay integration is intended to work exclusively wirelessly. The iPhone automatically connects to the vehicle via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when entering, without the need for a cable. CarPlay runs in a sandbox and does not receive access to Tesla hardware or driving data. The core functions of the Tesla infotainment system remain dominant; CarPlay merely supplements the ability to use third-party apps such as podcast players.

Tesla had resisted CarPlay for years, citing the quality of its own infotainment system, which already integrates Apple Music and Spotify. The U-turn occurred in 2025 after the electric car manufacturer's sales figures had significantly declined. In Europe, sales fell by more than 30 percent in 2025, and in Germany by as much as 54 percent. CarPlay integration could help attract iPhone users who can already access Apple integration from competitors ranging from BYD to VW.

(mki)