How to Watch YouTube on Apple CarPlay? 3 Ways to Unlock It!

BMW’s iDrive system is very good when it comes to entertainment, but sadly it has its limitations. If you want to watch YouTube on CarPlay and browse through your favorite channels such as the BimmerTech channel, you can’t. Apparently there is the “safety issue” with people wanting to watch videos while driving… Who would do that…? 

Anyway, we have a couple hacks for you that will allow you to watch YouTube and other streaming services through Apple CarPlay… sort of. You’ll see! So, if you want to learn how to play video on CarPlay, stay tuned.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be very safe when doing this. Do NOT watch videos while driving. This is ALWAYS best when your vehicle is parked and you are in a safe environment. Be smart and stay safe!

Coming up, you’ll learn:

• What apps work with Apple CarPlay?
  
• How to add YouTube to CarPlay?
  
• What are the 3 best methods for watching YouTube on CarPlay?
  
• How to get Apple CarPlay on your BMW?

Enjoy the read!

How to Add YouTube to CarPlay Without a Jailbreak?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can’t. YouTube on CarPlay and especially YouTube on CarPlay without a jailbreak isn’t possible. But…. there are some workarounds to get a little version of an Apple CarPlay video hack. Let’s dive in…

TOP 3 Methods for Watching YouTube on CarPlay – Let’s Check Them Out!

Play YouTube on Safari – A Free, but Only Partial Solution

The good news for CarPlay users is that Safari (Apple’s default web browser) is supported in CarPlay. This makes things pretty simple, although with a caveat: despite what many sources on the Internet are claiming, you cannot really watch videos using this method, as it only enables audio playback. Trust us, we’ve tried it, not only on BMWs! 

If that’s enough for you, because, for example, you just want to listen to a podcast or comedy special, you are all set. You’ll want to start by configuring your phone before attempting to change anything in your infotainment.

On your iPhone:

1. Open the YouTube app and find the video you are interested in.
   
2. Click the “Share” option and copy the link to this video. 
   
3. Navigate to your Safari browser on your phone.
   
4. Paste the link in the address bar of your Safari browser and open the video.
   
5. After the YouTube loads up in your Safari, pause the video and enter the fullscreen mode. 

Now that we have this part out of the way, let’s proceed onto the infotainment screen:

1. Connect your iPhone to your car via CarPlay.
   
2. After you’re connected to the CarPlay, select the “Now Playing” app screen.
   
3. The video you’ve opened in your Safari browser should now show up on the car screen – enjoy the show!

You can also try this with different streaming services such as Netflix, Max, and so on, but you may have to view the desktop version of the site on your phone’s or CarPlay’s browser. If you’re on the mobile one, most of these services will ask you to start up/download the app, meaning you’ll be back to square one.

Watch YouTube with Apple TV – Perfect for Your BMW!

Apple TV allows you to have access to all of your favorite streaming services right at your fingertips. Yes, this includes YouTube. However, this works in far more places than with your TV. Companies like BimmerTech offer solutions to integrate Apple TV into your BMW.

Once installed, you’ll have Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and much more, all right on your iDrive screen. While it takes a bit to install, it’s a one-time thing that you have to do. Not a bad deal, if you ask us.

Upgrade to CarPlay MMI Prime or Pro – Seamless and Convenient

One of the best ways—if your BMW never even had CarPlay capabilities to begin with—would be to get BimmerTech Wireless CarPlay or Android Auto MMI Prime or Pro. This device simply integrates with your BMW’s iDrive screen and controller to enable full-screen Apple CarPlay right on your iDrive screen. This lets you do any of the video hacks we talked about or use screen mirroring.

The BimmerTech MMI Pro also offers an HDMI input which extends your options. Plug in your laptop, Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, or ANYTHING with an HDMI cable to turn your BMW’s or MINI’s iDrive screen into a display for that device. If an external power source is required, you can make use of the MMI Pro’s USB port for that (depending on your device’s power requirements).

What Other Apps Work with Apple CarPlay?

Some people would hope that Apple CarPlay is basically going to be your phone mirrored to your BMW iDrive display with minimal adjustments. Unfortunately, this is not the case and only apps that have their special in-car versions available can be used. 

For example: there are tons of audio and non-video-related Apple CarPlay apps available. Since Chevrolet put radios in cars in the 1920s, music has been key for modern passenger vehicles and so has keeping in touch or navigating your way home.

Here’s a list of the most popular apps that will work on Apple CarPlay. Spoiler alert: YouTube isn’t one of them. 

• Apple Music
• Spotify
• Amazon Music 
• Various radio or podcasting apps
• YouTube Music on CarPlay 
• Apple Maps 
• Google Maps
• Waze 
• WhatsApp
• Skype

Want to learn about more apps for CarPlay? You can check out our article for the best CarPlay apps for 2024.

To Sum It All Up…

While BMW’s iDrive offers so much, video playback is not one of them. Safety issue or not, you should be able to have access to YouTube and your favorite streaming apps to use SAFELY. Again… safely, for example when taking a break on a long road trip. With these little Apple CarPlay hacks, you will be able to do just that!

FAQ

How to add YouTube to CarPlay?

Although it’s impossible to add YouTube to CarPlay directly, there are some workarounds that will let you use the app on your BMW iDrive screen (read this article to learn more).

Can you watch YouTube on CarPlay?

Yes, it’s possible to watch YouTube on CarPlay. However, it requires some workarounds, since the YouTube app is blocked on the car infotainment systems for safety reasons (check out this article for an in-depth guide on getting it to work).

How to watch YouTube on CarPlay? The 3 best methods

The 3 best methods for watching YouTube on CarPlay are accessing it through Apple’s default web browser Safari (audio playback only), using Apple TV, or retrofitting the CarPlay MMI PRO unit in your BMW. The latter allows you to connect any external device via HDMI (including Firestick or Chromecast), which provides you with the ability to access YouTube on CarPlay.

Can you play videos on CarPlay?

Yes, you can and you are not limited to YouTube; again, as was the case with YouTube, there are some workarounds needed to watch videos via CarPlay. More on that in the following answer.

How to watch videos on CarPlay – YouTube, Netflix, or others?

If you’d like to watch videos on CarPlay, the simplest workaround would be to use the Safari browser on your iPhone to open up the video player and then stream it onto the infotainment screen. This works just like in the case of the YouTube videos: start playing the video you are interested in through the Safari browser and connect with CarPlay. 

How to get Apple CarPlay on your BMW?

You can get Apple CarPlay on your BMW either through a simple CarPlay Activation coding process or by getting BimmerTech’s CarPlay MMI Prime or PRO retrofit. Note that the compatibility of both these options depends on what BMW model you have.

What apps work with Apple CarPlay?

Only apps that have their special in-car versions available can work with Apple CarPlay. This includes Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, WhatsApp, and Skype.