For everything that Teslas offer, these incredible vehicles are missing something available in nearly every other new automobile — Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto.
Apple and Google released their vehicle user interfaces back in 2014. Yet, eight years and countless requests later, Tesla still doesn't support CarPlay or Android Auto.
While Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk has never given an official explanation, there's plenty of speculation about why the dominant electric vehicle manufacturer does not support these features.
Why Tesla doesn't support CarPlay and Android Auto
First and foremost, Tesla develops its own software that is miles ahead of traditional car manufacturers.
The huge benefit that other manufacturers gain by integrating CarPlay just isn't as crucial in a Tesla, which already offers intuitive, responsive software with many features.
Many apps on a phone that would be useful in a vehicle are already available in a Tesla, from navigation, Spotify, phone integration, text messaging, karaoke, to a web browser and more. Although Tesla doesn't have a robust app store like Apple and Google, it does offer features that cover common use cases.
However, it's understandable the craving some users may have for CarPlay or Android Auto if Tesla doesn't support their favorite streaming service, such as Amazon Music, SiriusXM or even voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant.
Although you're able to listen to music through Apple Music, and Spotify, watch Netflix and YouTube on the car's large display through Tesla's software, there will always be more options and features on a phone, regardless of how many features Tesla includes.
Seamless Experience
One reason for not integrating CarPlay or Android Auto into Teslas is that these systems would break up the Tesla experience.
CarPlay and Android Auto currently operate in their own, separate experiences. This requires you to first pull up CarPlay and then perform your desired task, such as setting your destination or switching music.
In traditional vehicles, this isn't much of an issue since CarPlay or Android Auto (AA) usually take over the middle infotainment display. This allows CarPlay or AA to remain on screen, which means that you can just tap the app you want.
However, in a Tesla, software features are very tightly integrated, and the addition of CarPlay/AA would break up the seamless experience Tesla currently offers.
For example, in a Model Y music and navigation are usually both displayed on the vehicle's screen at the same time, something that is not currently possible with CarPlay.
In addition, if the driver maximizes the music player or launches a different app in a Tesla, then Tesla displays navigation information on the left side of the screen, keeping the driver aware of the next turn.
If the driver receives a text message while driving, the driver can see and hear the message being received, regardless of which app is on screen.
However, since all of CarPlay's features only work in a CarPlay window, this kind of flexibility and integration isn't possible.
Duplicate Experience
Incorporating CarPlay or Android Auto duplicates a lot of features Tesla already has and removes the ability for Tesla to deep link apps and features.
For example, in a Tesla you could have the maps, phone, calendar, Spotify and other apps in the vehicle's launcher, giving you one-tap access to the app
For example, imagine if you had Google Maps open and you wanted to view your backup camera then open Spotify. In a Tesla, you'd tap the camera in the launcher, then tap Spotify. Two taps.
However, if you wanted to perform the same actions with CarPlay, this would take significantly longer. You'd first tap the camera icon in Tesla's launcher, then tap to go back to CarPlay, but you'd still have to go 'Home' on the CarPlay interface, then find Spotify. That's four taps, assuming Spotify was on the first page of CarPlay's home screen.
Since CarPlay acts as a secondary experience this will often increase the number of taps to get to certain information.
CarPlay also duplicates many features in a vehicle which results in some confusion since there are multiple apps for the same thing, such as navigation and music.
This issue is only exacerbated in a Tesla since Tesla offers so many of the same features as CarPlay such as maps, messages, phone, calendar, podcasts, etc.
New CarPlay Experience
Apple shows off the new CarPlay coming next year
Apple
Apple revealed a significantly improved CarPlay experience at the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference. Emily Schubert, Apple's Senior Manager of Car Experience Engineering, said the company has "been working with automakers to reinvent the in-car experience across all the drivers' screens." The redesigned CarPlay appears much more customizable, and it's said to seamlessly integrate into vehicles instead of having a CarPlay window or taking over the entire screen.
This may be an experience that would suit Teslas much more than Apple's current offering, however, there's something else that is likely preventing Tesla from incorporating Apple's or Google's auto interface.
The Future of the Vehicle
Vehicles have traditionally been about getting you to your destination, however, that's now shifting. No one wants a car that just gets them to their desired location, they want to get there as safely as possible and be entertained on the way.
As this shift continues and we approach an autonomous future, vehicles will be much more about software and their entertainment offerings.
The next generation of car makers will not be decided by how they drive, but by how autonomous they are and what software features they offer.
Future Competition
While many pit Tesla against Volkswagen, Toyota and others, these are merely short-term obstacles for Tesla.
Tesla's true competitors have yet to emerge, but they'll be in the form of powerful tech companies such as Apple and Google. Companies that not only have strong design and AI foundations but also have access to a large user base and a dominant platform.
When a manufacturer incorporates CarPlay or Android Auto, they're giving up a great deal of control to Apple or Google.
They're not only giving up control though, they're giving up the opportunity to build a vehicle platform and a loyal user base.
If Tesla added CarPlay and Android Auto to their vehicles, they'd be helping their upcoming competitors by giving them control of a market they already know will decide the next big players - the inside of the automobile.
AirPlay
But there is another solution that may keep Apple users and Tesla happy — the use of AirPlay. This capability enables pairing a phone to an audio device to stream music or podcasts. AirPlay is not available in cars yet, but it would not be much of a leap to include the option with Tesla already equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities. Elon Musk recently left the door open for that development.
In May 2022, Musk responded to a tweet. @JacobB1290H wrote: "The speaker system in Teslas are so good, but we are limited by the quality of Bluetooth. Could we have AirPlay added? It adds the ability for lossless streaming. The hardware necessary is already there."
At least one developer has created a workaround to add CarPlay to Teslas. Michal Gapinski developed a solution that allows you to take a Raspberry Pi and connect it to your vehicle to incorporate CarPlay into the vehicle's browser.
While the solution is great, it does require some tech knowledge to get working. While this gives some users what they want, it puts even more pressure on Tesla to develop a native solution.
During the 2022 Apple event, the company stated that CarPlay is a must-have feature for people who are car shopping. According to Apple, 79 percent of buyers in the United States would only consider a vehicle that is CarPlay-capable. The company also says that CarPlay is already available in 98 percent of cars in the U.S.
These numbers put Tesla and other EV manufacturers such as Rivian in a difficult position. They understand the future of the EV, but at the same time, their users are demanding access to CarPlay and Android Auto.
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Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.
Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.
Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase
Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.
Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.
The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH
The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.
Prizes
The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.
For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.
The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.
The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.
For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:
How to Enter
If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:
Video must be 90 seconds or less
Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL
Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.
Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form
Provide your personal details in the form
You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.
After numerous sightings and weeks of anticipation, Tesla has finally unveiled the refreshed Model S and Model X. While we knew what to expect, Tesla managed to sneak in a few additional improvements, such as increasing the range for these vehicles.
While not a ground-up redesign, this update introduces a front bumper camera, ambient lighting, new wheels, colors, and more.
Let’s go through all the changes.
Longer Range
Tesla is increasing the range of these vehicles, with the Model X seeing the biggest improvements. These changes are likely the result of improved aerodynamic efficiency from the new wheel designs and other smaller improvements.
The biggest gain comes from the Model X Long Range, which increases its range from 329 miles to 352 miles, an improvement of 23 miles or about 7%.
Below is a table with the new and old ranges for these vehicles.
2025 Model
2026 Refresh
Model S Long Range
410 mi
410 mi
Model S Plaid
348 mi
368 mi
Model X Long Range
329 mi
352 mi
Model X Plaid
314 mi
335 mi
New Bumpers
The most noticeable exterior change is reserved for the Model S and X Plaid, which are both receiving an updated front fascia with a new, sportier bumper. While the change looks subtle, the new lower spoiler lip gives both vehicles a slightly more aggressive look while also improving aerodynamics, according to Tesla.
New Grill
The new Model S
Not a Tesla App
Tesla has also updated the grill on these vehicles slightly. The Long Range model now has the entire grill area, including the Tesla logo in matte black instead of chrome. The Plaid versions receive a carbon fiber accent in the grill, which helps the Plaid models stand out.
Front Bumper Camera
Same Headlights, but still slick in the new Frost Blue.
Not a Tesla App
Putting the stylistic changes aside, embedded in that front bumper is a new front-facing bumper camera with this refresh. This finally brings the Model S and Model X on par with the Cybertruck and refreshed Model Y - and leaves the refreshed Model 3 as the last of Tesla’s vehicles without a bumper camera.
Tesla is introducing four new sets of wheels with new specifications for these updated models. The Perihelix wheels are standard on the Model X and the Magnetite wheels are standard on the Model S. Velarium wheels are a $4.5k premium for the Model S, while the Machina wheels on the X cost an additional $5,500.
However, as you can see in the table below, the optional wheels also reduce the range of these vehicles.
Wheel
Top Speed (LR)
Top Speed (Plaid)
Range (LR)
Range (Plaid)
19” Magnetite (Model S)
130mph
149mph
410mi
368mi
21” Velarium (Model S)
149mph
200mph*
380mi
328mi
20” Perihelix (Model X)
149mph
149mph
352mi
335mi
22” Machina (Model X)
155mph
163mph
316mi
303mi
*The Plaid’s 200mph top speed requires the updated Track Pack, which is currently not available.
New Colors
Not a Tesla App
Joining the color palette for this refresh are two new colors. Frost Blue Metallic is a new light blue multi-coat paint option. Tesla is also introducing Diamond Black for both its flagship vehicles. The previous colors, Stealth Grey (Standard), Pearl White Multi-Coat, Ultra Red, and Lunar Silver, remain available as well.
Frost Blue will be a premium paint option for $2,500 USD, while Diamond Black will cost $1,500 USD.
New Animated Ambient Lighting
The updated interior.
Not a Tesla App
Inside, the refresh introduces a feature that has become a standard for the rest of Tesla’s lineup: multi-color ambient lighting. The configurable light strip wraps around the cabin, similar to the rest of Tesla’s vehicles, and offers owners some additional personalization. The light strip extends from the dashboard to both sides of the center console and through the front and rear doors.
Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y, the ambient lighting isn’t just on the dash and doors. Tesla also added it to the sides of the center console, which helps differentiate it slightly from the Model 3 and Y while also illuminating the cabin a little more.
Even more so, this ambient lighting can now be animated, allowing lights to transition to different colors so that the entire strip doesn’t need to be the same color.
A lot has been worked on. The outer changes kinda hide the changes underneath. The team looked at the Palladium Cars and worked though a ton of small improvements. Thermals, NVH, Chassis,... everything.
All of these improvements across the car lead to a greater efficiency,…
The LED footwell lights and door pocket lights are now also color-selectable, which is a new feature that’s exclusive to the Model S and X. The footwell and pocket lights can be controlled independently or synced to the light strip lighting. While these little touches are a nice addition, they don’t do much to set these vehicles apart from the Model 3 and Y.
New Startup Animation
The new startup animation for the updated Model S and X.
This animation is tied to the new animated ambient lighting, which allows the lights to transition to other colors instead of being all one color.
Tesla has also added a new entry animation that plays when the driver or front passenger doors are opened, which is synced across the dash and door trim lighting. This is similar to the new Model Y Launch Series animation, but Tesla takes it to a new level here by incorporating the ambient lighting.
The animation begins on the center display, zooming out on a red-glowing Tesla logo. The red light then spreads to the instrument cluster and is then carried throughout the cabin via the ambient lighting. It’s a nice touch.
Improved Noise Isolation
The Model S and Model X have always been quiet compared to the Model 3 and Model Y, but Tesla says they’ve made it even quieter in this refresh. They reduced wind and road noise and improved their Active Noise Cancellation feature.
While it’s unclear how much quieter they are, these new vehicles are heavier than the version they replaced, so additional sound-dampening material was likely added.
Improved Suspension
In Tesla’s post on X, they say these models also have a smoother ride thanks to new bushings and an updated suspension design. Although Tesla likely didn’t update these vehicles to use the newer suspension in the Cybertruck, it’s good to know there are some improvements here as well.
Improved Third Row and Cargo Space
The Model X also gets a boost in practicality, with some additional room in the third row. Before anyone gets too excited about this, it’s important to understand that the frame of the vehicle hasn’t changed, so the improvements here are likely minor.
When we compare the cargo room information provided by Tesla for the previous vehicle to this new one, the total cargo space increases from 92 cubic feet to 94.5 cubic feet, representing a 2.5 cubic foot improvement. Although this appears significant, it’s unclear where the changes are coming from.
It’s possible they redesigned the bottom trunk area to expose more room that was available underneath the cabin, or they may have improved the third-row seats to expose the area underneath them, but unfortunately, we just don’t have enough information to know for sure.
Yoke Steering Wheel
While there are no changes to the steering wheel in these vehicles, Tesla is now making the optional yoke steering wheel only available on the Plaid models.
These vehicles initially launched with the yoke steering wheel, but Tesla later added an option to choose between the yoke or standard steering wheel option. Soon after, Tesla made the yoke steering wheel a $1,000 option and the standard wheel became the default option. Now, the yoke steering wheel is only available as an optional upgrade for the Model S and Model X Plaid variants.
Same FSD and MCU Hardware
While the interior and exterior have received some light touch-ups, the actual hardware that powers the infotainment unit and FSD has not been upgraded.
While Tesla is already working on HW5, it’s not due out until sometime next year. These vehicles, just like the Model 3 and Y, will include FSD HW4 and the AMD Ryzen (MCU3) powered infotainment unit.
Price Increase
Tesla has updated the pricing on both the Model S and Model X, increasing the price by $5k across the various trim levels.
The absence of these features and the price increase leave some wondering whether these vehicles may be worth the price, especially since so many features were brought over to the new Model 3 and Model Y.
Given that the changes to the design are relatively minimal, Tesla likely has only a few minor tooling updates to make. Over on the website, new orders have an estimated delivery window of approximately 3 to 5 weeks.
Tesla will likely begin reaching out to customers who’ve previously ordered a new Model S or Model X and note that the vehicle they receive will be the refreshed variant instead. Those customers previously had a 2-4 week wait before their orders were ready.
It seems likely that over the next few weeks, Model S and Model X inventory vehicles will begin to receive some light discounts to get any leftover vehicles moving. In general, Tesla keeps a relatively low inventory of its two flagships, so if you spot an older S or X and are in the market for a discount, this will likely be your chance.
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