Apple CarPlay is getting video with iOS 26 but there is a catch that is going to annoy a lot of iPhone users
Published on Mar 04, 2026 at 8:16 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Mar 04, 2026 at 8:16 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Video is coming to Apple CarPlay with the iOS 26 update, but there’s a catch that will likely tick off a lot of iPhone users.
Ever since it was released in September 2025, iOS 26 has brought some drastic changes to CarPlay.
A video option will no doubt be welcomed by many drivers.
But there’s one big catch that may ruin things for any interested parties.
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What’s the deal with the video feature on Apple CarPlay?
At first, the idea of having videos playing on your car display sounds super appealing, right?
A lot of us will like to pop on a podcast while we’re driving or blast out some music – so surely some videos can only be a good thing, right?
With this new feature, drivers will have the option to watch Apple TV on the screen, where you can pause videos, change episodes, and also pull up information about your show.
Sounds pretty good, right?
Well, this new feature comes with a catch – you can only use it when the car is stationary.
And that includes FaceTime calls.
To be fair, you’ll still get the audio on FaceTime calls – you just won’t be able to see the caller and they won’t be able to see you.
A bit annoying? Sure.
But it’s a necessary safety precaution.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 3,275 road fatalities occurred as a result of distracted driving – of which talking on the phone or FaceTime factored in.
There’s also the fact that some states prohibit videos on car display screens, barring exceptions for GPS navigation and camera safety systems.
While technically all 50 states have restrictions on video use, some go further than others, including Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Wyoming, and Arizona.
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What other changes have we seen with the iOS 26?
In recent months, there’s been a lot of buzz about the new features that have come along with the iOS update.
Some settings will be turned off by default, so you might have to do a bit of digging to activate them.
From navigation tweaks to media controls, there’s plenty to uncover when you go looking through the menus.
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Following stints at LadBible, The Sun, The New York Post, and the Daily Mail, Ben joined the team full-time in February 2025. In his role as Senior Content Writer, his sparkling copy, the ability to sniff out a good story at 100 paces, and a GSOH quickly led to him becoming an integral and invaluable member of the writing staff.
