Apple's CarPlay is a popular feature for those within the Apple ecosystem as it extends your iPhone to your car, including apps and media. It has been available for a variety of different infotainment systems for years, but due to Tesla's own proprietary software, Apple's CarPlay feature has not been supported by Tesla.
Given Tesla's high quality large screens, it would seem odd to install an aftermarket head unit that supports CarPlay. Attempting another direction with the existing screen, a Polish developer derived a system on his own. Instead of making significant variations in the hardware of Tesla, the developer bypassed the restrictions of WiFi so the Tesla browser can link to a secondary device.
As a result, the browser display depicted on the host's device provides an update of live video. According to the developer, the project relies on a Raspberry Pi running a custom build of Android. This build runs an interface that works with CarPlay, helping the Apple UI be usable on the larger Tesla screen.
The developer says there are certain improvisations in the system, with the connection of WiFi demanding some refinement to make it run smoother. Recently he stated that he plans to release it to the public as soon as it is polished.
It seems unlikely that Tesla will incorporate CarPlay in their Software anytime soon, as it has a long-term dispute with Apple. Perhaps it is related to Apple being poised to enter the car market soon. Both Tesla and Apple have hired engineers from each other for quite some time.
In the last few years, Tesla has started selling some automobiles with upgraded capabilities, which they lock through software. One such feature is a 75 kWh battery versus the standard 60kWh. When this feature is unlocked in software it adds approximately 50hp to the Model 3 powertrain and decreases the 0-60mph acceleration to 3.9 seconds.
It appears that Tesla has started fighting customers trying to unlock software features via hacks to protect upsell revenue. So we wouldn't anticipate and official update adding Apple CarPlay support from Tesla. Although support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would be a welcome choice to live alongside Tesla's other great proprietary software. Especially since Tesla is not on the smartphone market, as of yet...
Although support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would be a welcome choice to live alongside Tesla's other great proprietary software. Especially since Tesla is not on the smartphone market, as of yet...
