Tesla to introduce Apple AirPlay, but no sign yet of CarPlay

It may not be Apple CarPlay, but iPhone owners may soon have another option for mirroring their smartphone screen in Tesla electric cars.

Software code uncovered by Twitter user @Tesla_App_iOS shows Tesla will soon support Apple AirPlay, according to a report from website Not a Tesla App.

This is the first indication of the new feature becoming a reality since Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the electric-car company was considering adopting Apple AirPlay in early 2022.

Whereas CarPlay is a program that allows access to applications from an Apple iPhone via a car's infotainment display, Apple AirPlay is the US tech giant's own method of sharing media files between two devices.

However, AirPlay can be used to mirror the iPhone on another screen – though it's understood smartphone functions won't be able to be accessed from the car's infotainment screen.

In other words, what you see on your phone will be shown on the car's infotainment screen as a projection, but all functions will need to be performed on the smartphone device itself.

This may raise legal issues in Australia, with all states and territories forbidding the handling of a phone while driving in most circumstances.

MORE: Apple CarPlay vs Android Auto – Smartphone mirroring showdown

Until now, AirPlay has typically been used to share photos, videos, and audio between an iPhone and smart televisions and speakers, with limited adoption in cars.

Apple AirPlay is said to produce much higher quality audio compared to Bluetooth, which is the industry standard for wireless audio streaming in vehicles.

Tesla remains one of the only major car companies to not offer Apple CarPlay as a standard feature.