CarPlay Video Playback on iOS 27: Beta SDK, App Review Timing, and Parked-State Requirements

App & System Services CarPlay
Mrcat OP
Created 1w
Replies 2
Boosts 0
Views 277
Participants 3

Consultation on CarPlay Video Playback Review Requirements for iOS 27

Hello Apple Developer Forums team,

Our app has been approved for the CarPlay Video entitlement, and we are preparing to implement video playback for CarPlay while the vehicle is parked.

I would like to confirm several points before development and submission:

  1. Can we develop this feature using the current Xcode beta and iOS 27 beta SDK?

  2. If the feature is completed using the beta SDK, can the app be submitted to App Review now, or must we wait until the official public release of iOS 27 and the final Xcode version?

  3. For CarPlay parked video playback, does App Review require the app to implement or demonstrate its own P-gear / parked-state safety lock logic, or is this restriction handled by the CarPlay system and vehicle?

  4. Is a car infotainment system update required for CarPlay Video Playback support, or is support determined by the iPhone iOS version and the connected CarPlay system’s capabilities, such as supportsVideoPlayback?

We understand that final App Review decisions are made during review, but we would appreciate any official guidance or documentation references regarding the correct implementation and submission timing.

Thank you.

Answered by Frameworks Engineer in 898413022
  1. Can we develop this feature using the current Xcode beta and iOS 27 beta SDK?
  2. If the feature is completed using the beta SDK, can the app be submitted to App Review now, or must we wait until the official public release of iOS 27 and the final Xcode version?

Yes, you can start development on your app's UI for browsing and playing videos in CarPlay using Xcode 27 beta.

See the above answer for the submission guidelines.

For CarPlay parked video playback, does App Review require the app to implement or demonstrate its own P-gear / parked-state safety lock logic, or is this restriction handled by the CarPlay system and vehicle?

Video playback may become unavailable at any time, and this will be applied by the system for all apps. Your video content will automatically play as audio-only when video playback is not available. Additionally, in some vehicles longer lists in your app's browsing UI may be automatically limited in length.

Is a car infotainment system update required for CarPlay Video Playback support, or is support determined by the iPhone iOS version and the connected CarPlay system’s capabilities, such as supportsVideoPlayback?

Correct, your app can use CPSessionConfiguration's supportsVideoPlayback to determine if the current CarPlay session may allow video playback. This can be used by apps to include video playlists or change their recommended content to favor videos for CarPlay sessions that may allow video playback, while maintaining different recommendations for CarPlay sessions that only support audio playback.

Replies  2
Boosts  0
Views  277
Participants  3
DTS Engineer OP
Apple
1w

Thanks for your post.

You can't submit and won't let you submit an app for review with beta Xcode and right now Xcode 27 is still on beta.

The system accepts submissions built with GM/RC, and App Review guidelines explicitly address beta scenarios like Guideline 2.2 "Beta Testing" for TestFlight builds.

Please take a look at the documentation: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/submitting/

https://developer.apple.com/distribute/app-review/

https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/manage-builds/choose-a-build-to-submit/

Hope this helps

Albert  WWDR

Frameworks Engineer OP
Apple
1w
Recommended
  1. Can we develop this feature using the current Xcode beta and iOS 27 beta SDK?
  2. If the feature is completed using the beta SDK, can the app be submitted to App Review now, or must we wait until the official public release of iOS 27 and the final Xcode version?

Yes, you can start development on your app's UI for browsing and playing videos in CarPlay using Xcode 27 beta.

See the above answer for the submission guidelines.

For CarPlay parked video playback, does App Review require the app to implement or demonstrate its own P-gear / parked-state safety lock logic, or is this restriction handled by the CarPlay system and vehicle?

Video playback may become unavailable at any time, and this will be applied by the system for all apps. Your video content will automatically play as audio-only when video playback is not available. Additionally, in some vehicles longer lists in your app's browsing UI may be automatically limited in length.

Is a car infotainment system update required for CarPlay Video Playback support, or is support determined by the iPhone iOS version and the connected CarPlay system’s capabilities, such as supportsVideoPlayback?

Correct, your app can use CPSessionConfiguration's supportsVideoPlayback to determine if the current CarPlay session may allow video playback. This can be used by apps to include video playlists or change their recommended content to favor videos for CarPlay sessions that may allow video playback, while maintaining different recommendations for CarPlay sessions that only support audio playback.

CarPlay Video Playback on iOS 27: Beta SDK, App Review Timing, and Parked-State Requirements
First post date Last post date
 
 
Q