If you’re an Apple user like me, you probably love the idea of seamless integration between your devices. iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch—they all talk to each other in Apple’s “walled garden.” But there’s one glaring hole in that ecosystem that has been bugging me for years: CarPlay only works with iPhones—not iPads.

And honestly, it makes no sense.

iPads Have the Hardware

An iPad has the screen size, processing power, and connectivity to make CarPlay work beautifully. Imagine a bigger, more intuitive CarPlay experience where maps, music, and apps have room to breathe. Even the smallest iPad screen is bigger than most built-in car displays, yet Apple restricts the feature to iPhones only.

The Excuses Don’t Add Up

Apple’s official stance is usually tied to “safety” and “design intent.” They’ll say the iPad isn’t meant to be a phone, or that CarPlay is designed specifically for mobile connectivity. But come on—iPads have cellular versions, GPS, and every capability needed to run navigation and music apps. Not to mention, the iPad has better battery life than most iPhones, so it would actually be more reliable on long trips.

Forcing iPhone Dependency

Let’s be honest: part of this feels like a business decision. By locking CarPlay to the iPhone, Apple ensures people keep buying (and upgrading) their phones. If iPads could do the job, some drivers might leave their iPhones tucked away or even skip upgrading as often. In other words, Apple wants CarPlay to remain an iPhone feature—not an iOS feature.

What’s the Harm in Letting Us Choose?

Plenty of people already mount iPads in their cars for navigation or entertainment. Apple could easily make an official CarPlay mode for iPad, which would make the experience safer, more integrated, and user-friendly. Instead, we’re left with workarounds, third-party apps, or just dealing with the limitation.

At the end of the day, Apple is missing out on a chance to make CarPlay even better. iPad screens are bigger, sharper, and would make the in-car experience far superior. Yet Apple says “no,” and we’re all stuck asking why not?

Until Apple changes course, we’re left with a strange gap in their ecosystem—one that feels less about user experience and more about corporate control.