A lot of people assume CarPlay will eventually get Netflix support. It will not, at least not any time soon. Apple controls what apps run on CarPlay and video streaming apps are blocked on safety grounds. Android Auto has the same restrictions.
The only way to get Netflix on your factory car screen right now is a CarPlay AI box. Here is how it works and how to set one up.
Why CarPlay does not support Netflix
Apple restricts video streaming on CarPlay because the screen is in the driver's line of sight. The official position is that video apps could distract drivers. Whether you agree with that or not, it is not changing. Apple has held this position for years and there is no sign of it shifting.
Android Auto has the same restriction built in. YouTube is available as a navigation tool but full video playback is blocked while the car is in motion.
What you actually need
A CarPlay AI box runs its own Android operating system on your car screen. Your car does not know it is there. It thinks your phone is connected. But instead of CarPlay, you get full Android with access to Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus and any other app from the Google Play Store.
Important: video streaming is designed for use when parked, during EV charging breaks, or for passengers. Watching video while driving is illegal in the UK.
How to set it up, step by step
Check your car has wired CarPlay
AI boxes only work with cars that have factory wired CarPlay or Android Auto. If your car has wireless CarPlay only it will not work. Check your car's settings or manual to confirm.
Plug the AI box into your CarPlay USB port
Use the same port your iPhone currently plugs into. The box takes about 10 seconds to boot on a good unit.
Connect to your phone's hotspot
The AI box needs internet to stream. Turn on your phone's hotspot and connect the box to it. This uses mobile data so keep an eye on your usage.
Open the Play Store and install Netflix
The Play Store is available on the car screen. Download Netflix, log in, and you are done. The whole process takes under two minutes.
When people actually use this
The most common use cases from real owners are EV charging breaks. A 30 minute charge is a full episode of most shows. School run waiting time, lunch breaks, and long trips where passengers want something to watch are equally common.
The car screen and speaker system make it a genuinely good watching experience. Several owners describe it as better than watching on a phone because the screen is larger and the audio uses the car's proper sound system.
We compared the two most popular options side by side. Read our full comparison of the OTTOCAST Play2Video Ultra vs NEXVU-S before you decide.