And they have the technical capability to make it happen, as Android Auto and CarPlay do not allow users to utilize the on-screen keyboard unless the vehicle is stationary.
With that in consideration, individuals worldwide have been searching for methods to view YouTube on their infotainment screens for a long time. Applications like CarTube enabled this on CarPlay, although all solutions for Apple users required a jailbreak.
The most recent YouTube client is known as CarTubePlus and is an improved version of CarTube. It offers users essential features, such as watching YouTube videos and playlists on the infotainment screen, and even supports YouTube Shorts.
As a fully featured YouTube client, the app also includes an on-screen keyboard for searching content without using a mobile device. Thanks to the integrated keyboard, users can also comment on videos from CarPlay.
Currently in beta, CarTubePlus appears to be the most advanced YouTube client ever released on CarPlay. However, there are two significant limitations that all Apple users should be aware of before attempting to install it.
Firstly, the app must be sideloaded with TrollStore. This means that CarTubePlus cannot be found on the App Store, and if you are unfamiliar with the world of jailbreaking, this app may serve as a strong incentive to explore it.
Secondly, CarTubePlus only functions when the phone is not in sleep mode. The developer states that the iPhone must be awake for the app to operate, as otherwise, CarTubePlus will not respond to touches.
The good news is that the developer intends to make the YouTube client completely free once it reaches the stable phase. Currently, it is still in the beta-testing stage, and anyone can participate by joining their Patreon channel.
If you are wondering whether it is also possible to watch YouTube videos on Android Auto, the answer is yes. Google does not officially allow users to access YouTube content on the infotainment screen while the mobile device is connected to the car, but applications like CarStream unlock the video-sharing platform.
I cannot help but provide the usual safety recommendations to anyone who believes that watching YouTube while driving is a good idea. Looking at the screen and keeping a video playing when the vehicle is not parked is extremely dangerous, as playing video serves as a major source of distraction. Not long ago, I attempted to use YouTube in my car and discovered that no matter how hard you try, you still end up looking at the screen. Therefore, if you choose to bypass the restrictions and bring YouTube to Android Auto and CarPlay, please remember that these apps should only be used when the vehicle is parked.