Sidecar’s CarPlay Browser and Video Player Removed: What You Need to Know

CarPlay, Apple’s feature for integrating your iPhone with your car’s infotainment system, has long been a favorite among users looking to enhance their driving experience with navigation, music, and hands-free calls. However, one feature that recently made waves—Sidecar’s web browser and video player for CarPlay—is no longer available. This feature, which allowed drivers to browse the web and watch videos while parked, has been removed at Apple’s request, leaving users who paid for it wondering what comes next. Here’s everything you need to know about this change and what it means for the future of CarPlay apps.

Sidecar’s CarPlay web browser and video player, which briefly appeared on the App Store, allowed users to browse the web and stream videos while their car was parked. The feature was designed with safety in mind, ensuring that it only worked when the vehicle was at a complete stop to prevent distractions while driving. However, despite the positive response and interest from users, the feature was removed after Apple requested its removal to ensure compliance with App Store guidelines.

In response to this change, Sidecar’s team issued a statement expressing their disappointment, explaining that they had hoped to add an innovative new feature to the CarPlay experience. They also assured users that anyone who had purchased the $9.99 park-and-watch feature could request a full refund. Instructions for this process can be found within the app itself.

For those still eager to use their

What Undercode Say: A Deeper Look into the Removal of Sidecar’s CarPlay Features

The removal of Sidecar’s web browser and video player feature raises several key questions about the future of third-party apps on CarPlay and Apple’s broader control over the CarPlay ecosystem. CarPlay, which is designed to enhance the driving experience while minimizing distractions, has increasingly become a platform where users request more flexibility—such as the ability to browse the web or watch videos while parked. However, Apple’s guidelines for CarPlay apps remain restrictive, limiting third-party applications to specific categories like navigation, music, and communication.

The decision to pull Sidecar’s feature highlights the tension between user demand for more features and Apple’s commitment to ensuring that CarPlay remains a safe, distraction-free environment. Apple’s concern with the Sidecar app likely stems from their belief that any functionality outside of their approved categories may encourage dangerous behavior, even if the feature was only active when the vehicle was parked. While the intent was safety-driven, the reality is that users who have long requested more multimedia features on CarPlay are left without a solution.

It’s important to note that Apple has not made any significant moves to open up CarPlay to a wider range of third-party apps. Despite users’ desires for more flexibility, Apple’s App Store guidelines still severely limit what developers can offer through CarPlay. The company’s stance seems to be rooted in a desire to maintain strict control over the platform to ensure a consistent user experience and prioritize safety, but it also limits innovation.

For developers like Sidecar, this creates a challenging environment. Even though their app was designed with safety as the primary concern, Apple’s policies leave little room for such creativity. This sets a precedent that any third-party app offering non-approved features could face removal, regardless of user interest or demand.

Fact Checker Results

Sidecar’s CarPlay feature was removed due to a direct request from Apple to comply with App Store guidelines.
Apple’s CarPlay ecosystem continues to restrict third-party apps to a limited set of categories, including navigation and music.
Users who paid for the feature can request a refund, with instructions provided in the Sidecar app itself.