Tesla’s 2022.44.25 Software Updates was a major event for Tesla owners, as it brought a host of exciting new features to both new and existing Tesla EVs. Perhaps the most anticipated feature was the native Apple Music app, which Tesla owners had been eagerly awaiting.
The availability of Apple Music support in Tesla cars was a significant milestone for Tesla, which had previously only worked with other streaming services like Spotify and Tidal. It provided Tesla owners with a new level of convenience and ease of use, allowing them to easily access and stream their favorite songs and playlists while driving.
Besides the Apple Music app, there are also other ways to listen to Apple Music on Tesla.
To access Apple Music, tap the Apple Music icon in the Application Launchers. Scan the QR code with your mobile device, and log in with your Apple ID. Now you can stream over 100 million songs and 30,000 playlists ad-free. Listen to your entire library, discover more music, and tune into live radio stations.
Currently, Tesla is actively transitioning its lineup to 5G in newer 2025/2026 models. But older modes are still on a 4G connection to stream music/video. To play Apple Music on Tesla with the cellular network, you’ll need a Tesla Premium Connectivity subscription ($9.99/month), unless your Tesla is connected to WiFi or you are using your phone as a personal hotspot.
However, there are still some limits with the Apple Music app on Tesla:
Tesla users also report the loading issue on the Apple Music app, as it doesn’t even seem to buffer the next track. If Apple Music keeps loading on your Tesla, try these solutions:
If you are getting tired of Apple Music for Tesla, there are other alternatives:
You can play audio files from a Bluetooth-connected device (such as a phone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Android tablet). Once a phone is paired, Tesla can connect to it whenever the phone is within range.
To pair a phone, follow these steps while sitting inside the Model 3:
Pair and connect your phone to Model 3, play Apple Music songs on your phone, and the sounds will come from Tesla’s Media Player. When Apple Music songs begin to play, you can then use Media Player’s next and previous icons (or use the left scroll button on the steering wheel) to play other tracks.
How about AirPlay?
Tesla’s audio system is impressive, but it is limited by the quality of audio that can be transmitted via Bluetooth when playing music from a phone. Elon Musk said that Tesla is going to consider adopting Apple’s AirPlay protocol to improve audio quality over the current Bluetooth. AirPlay is a proprietary wireless communication protocol stack developed by Apple that allows streaming between devices. However, as of 2026, AirPlay Apple Music to Tesla is still not an option.
Will discuss this and other improvements with Tesla audio engineering. The new Model S and X sound system is incredible.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2022
To play music from a USB on older Tesla Model S, 3, X, Y, you can use two USB ports located in the front compartment of the center console.
For models built after November 1, 2021, use the USB port in the glovebox.
You can play audio files from a Bluetooth-connected device (like a phone) or a USB-connected flash drive. When you connect a USB device, Media Player includes the device as a media source. Insert a flash drive into a front USB port (see USB Ports). Touch Media Player > USB, and then touch the name of the folder that contains the song you want to play. After you display the contents of a folder on the USB connected flash drive, you can touch any song in the list to play it. Or use the previous and next arrows in Media Player to scroll through your songs. You can also scroll to the next/previous songs using the left scroll button on the steering wheel.
Note: Media Player supports USB flash drives with exFAT formatting (NTFS is not currently supported).
You can also store downloaded Apple Music songs on an iPhone or iPod and then connect the device to Tesla via Bluetooth. To play media from a USB connection, Tesla recognizes flash drives only. To play media from other types of devices (such as an iPod), you must connect the device using Bluetooth.
So you can save Apple Music songs to USB device and then play them on Tesla. However, keep in mind that the M4P songs you downloaded from Apple Music are not supported. To play them on Tesla from USB device, you need to download Apple Music songs to MP3. All you need is Pazu Apple Music Converter.
Download, install and run Pazu Apple Music Converter on your Mac or Windows. Pazu Apple Music Converter features a built-in Apple Music web player for you to download Apple Music songs, it doesn’t need Apple Music or iTunes app. Follow the on-screen instructions to log in your Apple Music account.
Click the gear icon in the top right corner to change output settings. The default format is M4A in 256kbps. Apple Music Converter also supports MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF. Click the gear icon if you want to change the output format or the output folder.
Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a playlist, artist, or album to download. Click the red icon and Pazu Apple Music Converter will load all songs in the album or playlist, uncheck the songs you don’t want to download if there are any.
Click the “Convert” button to start downloading Apple Music songs to MP3. After downloading, transfer them to USB device and play them on Tesla.
Tesla at some point discussed the possibility of adopting Apple CarPlay, but the automaker finally decided to keep its customers in its own software ecosystem.
In 2022, A Tesla Model 3 owner resorted to a workaround to implement Apple CarPlay in his vehicle. The workaround involves using a Raspberry Pi with an LTE modem and a Wi-Fi access point, running a custom Android-based firmware, as well as a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable and an Ethernet cable. However, this method doesn’t seem to work as of 2026.
Alternatively, you can purchase a Wireless Apple CarPlay Car Stereo and connect your smartphone effortlessly, bringing the features and apps to the portable car device. You can make calls, send texts, navigate with maps, and listen to music, including Apple Music, with ease. Regardless of your vehicle’s age or model, enjoy a safer and smarter driving experience with this advanced technology.
Download Apple Music to MP3, M4A, etc.