Overview

• iOS 26 adds “video in the car,” allowing users to stream video from iPhones to CarPlay screens when vehicles are parked
• Apple’s safety rules disable playback while driving, restricting video viewing to stationary situations
• Each manufacturer must opt in through Apple’s MFi certification program, resulting in a staggered and uneven rollout
• Additional CarPlay enhancements in iOS 26—redesigned icons, appearance themes, widget support and Music and Messages updates—will arrive broadly without requiring automaker approval
• Apple’s full CarPlay Ultra integration has launched only in select Aston Martin models so far, with major brands like Mercedes-Benz and General Motors choosing not to adopt it