iOS 27 Adds Video Playback, Route Sharing and Siri AI to CarPlay

Apple's iOS 27 update introduces a batch of new CarPlay features designed to make the in-car experience easier and more enjoyable. The upgrades cover entertainment, navigation and Siri, although some of them only run on the newest iPhones.

Video apps join CarPlay, but only when parked

One of the biggest additions is support for video apps. Until now, CarPlay's entertainment options were limited to audio services such as Apple Music and Spotify. With iOS 27, drivers can watch videos on the vehicle's display, but the feature is locked whenever the car is in motion. Playback automatically switches to audio only when driving starts and returns to video once the vehicle is parked again. Vehicle manufacturers also need to implement support for the feature, so apps like YouTube or Netflix may not work in every car right away.

Mini player, progress bar and route sharing

The Now Playing screen finally gains a progress bar and a persistent mini player with album artwork and playback controls, so drivers can swipe forward or backward within a song or podcast without touching their iPhone. Apple says CarPlay is more reliable in iOS 27, with a more consistent wireless connection and more accurate GPS reporting. New wallpapers are also available, and apps can now share route data with the car, letting the vehicle cross-check arrival times with Google Maps and Apple Maps and suggest EV charging stops along the way.

Siri AI arrives, but only on newer iPhones

Siri AI, Apple's updated virtual assistant, is now available in CarPlay with iOS 27. It works like it does on other Apple devices, answering general knowledge questions and using personal context from emails, messages and calendar to find answers, such as pulling up directions to a restaurant mentioned in a conversation. Drivers can also use more natural language to search for directions in Apple Maps, for example asking Siri to avoid tolls.

The catch is hardware. Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 16 or later, because CarPlay runs entirely on the iPhone and older models lack the needed hardware. Owners of an iPhone 14 still get the mini player, progress bar and wallpapers, but not the new Siri experience. iOS 27 itself is available for the iPhone 11 and later. In addition, Siri AI is not offered in the European Union due to local regulations, so users in the European Union with compatible iPhones get the other CarPlay upgrades but not Siri AI.

Sources: Engadget