Tesla Apple CarPlay Hack Updated to Work With Any Tesla Model

by

Polish developer Michał Gapiński has released a new and improved version of his "Tesla Android Project" which brings Apple's CarPlay experience to more Tesla vehicles than ever before.

tesla carplay hack
According to Gapiński, version 2022.25.1 provides "100% functional ‌CarPlay‌ integration for any Tesla," and comes with several new features and bug fixes.

The project now supports DRM video playback so that apps like Netflix function normally, an orientation lock so that apps like Apple Music automatically launch in landscape mode, and the hack now uses Android 12.1 for better stability and performance.

Gapiński's CarPlay workaround involves using a Rasberry Pi with an LTE modem and a Wi-Fi access point, running a custom Android-based firmware, as well as a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable and Ethernet cable.

The in-car browser is used to connect to the Rasberry Pi and display the ‌‌‌CarPlay‌‌‌ interface on the Tesla's screen, where Apple apps including Maps and ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ function as expected. The system works while driving, and can also be controlled with the media buttons on the Tesla's steering wheel.


Despite the preponderance of ‌‌CarPlay‌‌ on many electric cars, Tesla does not offer official support. Hints in 2020 that Tesla was planning to support Apple Music never came to fruition, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk doesn't respond to requests on Twitter for the company to bring ‌‌CarPlay‌‌ to its vehicles, despite it being one of the most-requested features among Tesla owners.

At the Worldwide Developers Conference 2022, Apple previewed the "next generation" of ‌CarPlay‌ for compatible vehicles. The next-gen ‌CarPlay‌ experience will support multiple displays within a vehicle, offer built-in climate controls for adjusting the temperature of the A/C or heat within the ‌CarPlay‌ interface, and more.

Apple said the first vehicles to support the new ‌CarPlay‌ experience will be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Ford, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Jaguar, Land Rover, Audi, Nissan, Volvo, Porsche, and more.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Tesla
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Read Full Article • 36 comments
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Read Full Article
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Read Full Article • 143 comments
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices. Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024: iPhone 16: $799 iPhone 16 Plus: $899 iPhone 16 Pro:...
Read Full Article • 37 comments
Apple TV Color

Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year

Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026. The new series: Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026 Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026 Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026 Cape Fear — June 5, 2026 Lucky — July 15, 2026 The new films: Eternity — ...
Read Full Article • 59 comments

Top Rated Comments

Jeaz Avatar
Jeaz
47 months ago
The lack of CarPlay, especially the future version of it, is probably the main reason I'm not looking at Tesla when replacing my current EV next year. Polestar, BMW or Mustang are all more likely candidates.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6787872 Avatar
6787872
47 months ago

Nope. The Tesla UI is miles better than CarPlay. It's really not even close.

What all you Apple stans don't realize is that vehicle manufacturers are only using CarPlay as a temporary measure. They are going to eventually want full control of the in-car experience so it can be monetized, especially once self-driving becomes a real thing.

You'll be buying things like video content, games and apps through their own stores. The built-in maps will have location-based advertising. They won't want Apple to make $ off their passengers. Elon already realized this.

The new CarPlay they just revealed looks all nice and shiny but manufacturers are soon going to find out that it's tough selling a $70K vehicle when it has the same UI look & feel as a $30K car. Also good luck waiting for new features for your vehicle because you'll only get them when Apple brings them to every other vehicle via CarPlay. Where a company like Tesla or Rivian can push new features whenever they want via OTA updates.
ironic use of the word 'stan' coming from a tesla 'stan' lmao.

the tesla UI is horrific. the christmas update should be all the evidence you need. literally even elon admitted it. tesla navigation is as functional (and looks like) a 2004 era tomtom. no advanced features or routing capabilities. spotify is bug ridden and nowhere near feature parity with native.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
dannys1
47 months ago
It's a shame Elon is such a dick, I'd love native CarPlay in my care, the Tesla system is rubbish.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
profets Avatar
profets
47 months ago
I get the allure of CarPlay and AA, I really do, but I think we need to remember why they were first made: to help bring some control to your phone / media in vehicles that otherwise have terrible infotainment systems.

Tesla building their own cars with 15-17” displays and full touch UIs are different than traditional vehicles in that regard. They have a full interface that they update consistently.

I think in a way, what Tesla is doing, is similar to what Apple would do. ‘This is our product, we’re designing the interface, and we don’t want other companies having any control over it.’

I’m not saying CarPlay shouldn’t exist or that Tesla should never allow it. Maybe it could operate as a window within the Tesla UI somewhere? I dunno. But the original goal of CarPlay wasn’t for Teslas with 15-17” screens. And even the new CarPlay that takes over the entire vehicle / large displays, no chance Tesla is going to give up their entire UI to Apple.

Having driven a Tesla for some time, what I think I’d prefer (personal opinion), is a small App Store of sorts for media apps. That’s what I find I miss the most - Music, podcasts apps, etc.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tubamajuba Avatar
Tubamajuba
47 months ago

The new CarPlay they just revealed looks all nice and shiny but manufacturers are soon going to find out that it's tough selling a $70K vehicle when it has the same UI look & feel as a $30K car.
I seriously doubt anyone cares if dashboard UI looks the same on cars with different prices. Who is really going to look at a car and think, "This has the same screen as a cheaper car so I'm not buying it"? It's far more likely that someone would look at a really expensive car and wonder why it doesn't support CarPlay or Android Auto when cheaper cars already do.

Furthermore, you're getting the same UI and OS no matter how much or how little you spend on a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, Android phone, etc. That's never been an issue even though UI is way more important on a device that is singlehandedly a computing device as opposed to a car that does many other things than just being a computer.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
Apple Knowledge Navigator
47 months ago
Hackintosh: Tesla Edition
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments