M3U & M3U8 playlists
Drop in a playlist URL, or paste the playlist text itself. Car TV builds a row for every category, puts the largest ones at the top, and lets you search across all of them.
For iPhone · Works with CarPlay
Turn your car into a cinema while you're parked.
Stream your M3U playlists and watch your own videos on iPhone, then bring them to the big screen in your car.
Never watch while driving. Use Car TV only when the car is safely parked, or let a passenger watch. Read the safety guide
Features
A player built for the car
Bring your own sources and Car TV organises them, previews them and plays them on your iPhone and your car's display.
Live previews
Each tile plays a small live preview, so you can see what's on before you tap.
Wide format support
From live HLS and MPEG-TS channels to RTSP and RTMP feeds and MKV or MP4 files.
Favorites
Heart a channel once and it waits for you in the Favorites tab.
Videos from your iPhone
Bring in movies and clips from your photo library or the Files app. They live in the Videos tab.
Mirror your iPhone
Open the Cast tab and tap Start Mirroring to show your whole phone screen on the car's display.
Full screen or mini player
Expand a channel to fill the screen, or dock it above the tab bar and carry on picking your next one.
No account required
Open the app and start. Your playlists, favorites and imported videos are kept locally on this device.
Inside the app
See it in action
Browse, preview and play, with every channel one or two taps away.
How it works
Up and running in a minute
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Add a source
Tap Add a Source and paste your playlist, or import videos saved on your iPhone.
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Browse and preview
Pick a category, check the live previews and tap the channel you want. Tap the heart to save it.
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Connect to CarPlay
Plug in your iPhone or pair it wirelessly, then tap the Car TV icon on the CarPlay screen.
Safety first
Please read before you watch
Car TV is for parked cars and passengers. The person driving should always keep their full attention on the road.
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Never watch while driving
If you're the driver, don't watch video or use Car TV while the car is moving. Not for a moment, and not at traffic lights or in slow traffic.
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Park first
Stop somewhere safe and legal and put the car in Park before you start a video.
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Set up before you set off
Add playlists, pick favorites and choose what to watch while you're still parked, so nobody reaches for the phone on the move.
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Passengers, where the law allows
In many places it's illegal for video to be visible to the driver while driving, even if a passenger is watching. Check the rules where you are.
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Stay aware of your surroundings
Keep the volume low enough to hear sirens, horns and people outside the car.
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Never idle in an enclosed space
Don't leave the engine running in a garage or other closed space. Exhaust fumes can be deadly. Watching with the engine off can also drain your car battery.
You are responsible for using Car TV safely and legally. Traffic laws come first, always.
Made for the times you're waiting
The school run that runs late, a delayed flight you're collecting someone from, a long lunch break in the car park. Car TV gives that dead time a screen.
- Designed for parked cars and passengers.
- Big, easy-to-tap controls on the CarPlay screen.
- Always follow the road laws where you are.
FAQ
Common questions
Why is Car TV empty the first time I open it?
Car TV doesn't include any channels or videos of its own. Everything you watch comes from a playlist you add or a video you import. Please only add content you're allowed to watch.
What kind of playlist does Car TV accept?
Standard M3U and M3U8 playlists. You can paste the web address of the playlist, which normally ends in .m3u or .m3u8, or paste the playlist text itself. Start from Add a Source on the Home screen.
Car TV couldn't read my playlist. What now?
- Check the address is complete and still begins with
http://orhttps://. - Ask whoever gave you the playlist whether it has expired or been replaced.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, as some networks block streaming addresses.
- Still no luck? Email us with the error you see and we'll take a look.
Will Car TV work in my car?
If your car or aftermarket stereo supports Apple CarPlay, wired or wireless, and your iPhone runs iOS 18 or later, you're set. Once CarPlay connects, Car TV appears on the car's screen next to your other apps.
Is it safe to use Car TV on the road?
Video is meant for a parked car, or for passengers. Whoever is driving should never watch, and you should follow the traffic laws where you live.
How do I show another app on the car's screen?
Open the Cast tab and tap Start Mirroring, then Start Broadcast. After that, everything on your iPhone appears on the car's display until you stop mirroring.
Where do my imported videos go?
Into the Videos tab. Car TV makes its own copy, so they play without an internet connection.
Will my stream play in Car TV?
Very likely. Car TV handles HLS (M3U8), MPEG-TS, RTSP and RTMP streams, plus MP4, MOV, MKV and other common video files.
Do I have to create an account?
No. There's nothing to sign up for. Your sources, favorites and settings are kept on your iPhone.
Why is a channel stuck loading?
- If its preview doesn't load either, the stream itself may be struggling or offline, so pick another channel for now.
- Check that your iPhone has a good signal or Wi-Fi.
- Some subscriptions only allow one screen at a time, so stop playback on your other devices.
- Quit and reopen Car TV, then reconnect CarPlay.
Need help?
Questions, bug reports or feature ideas? We read every message and reply as soon as we can.
app.feedback.vm@gmail.com
Your next stop, now with a screen
Download Car TV for free and start watching the next time you park.