Imagine this: You walk into Tesla’s headquarters with your iPhone in hand. But before you can even step inside, security stops you.
"Sorry, no Apple devices allowed."
Sound crazy? Not if Elon Musk gets his way.
After Apple announced its partnership with OpenAI, Musk declared war, calling it a "security risk" and threatening to ban Apple products from Tesla, SpaceX, and his other companies.
But here’s the twist—Apple and Musk are also business partners. While they battle over AI, they work together on Starlink-powered iPhone satellite connectivity.
So, what’s the deal? Are Apple and Musk allies, enemies, or something in between? Let’s break down where they align and where they clash in the tech war of 2025.
🚀 Where Musk and Apple Are Aligned: Common Interests
1️⃣ Starlink & iPhone Satellite Connectivity – A Surprising Collaboration
Believe it or not, Apple and Musk are partners in space.
In early 2025, Apple rolled out iOS 18.3, which integrated support for SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network. This allows iPhones to send emergency messages in remote areas without needing a cell tower.
✅ Why It Works:
- Apple gets better global connectivity for iPhone users.
- Musk gets Starlink embedded into millions of iPhones.
- Both companies win.
This partnership shows that, despite their differences, Apple and Musk share a common goal: global communication without limits.
2️⃣ Shared Vision: Innovation Above All
Both Apple and Musk thrive on pushing technological boundaries.
💡 Apple changed the game with the iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods.
💡 Musk redefined electric vehicles with Tesla and space travel with SpaceX.
🚀 They both believe in:
✅ Designing futuristic, game-changing technology.
✅ Cutting out middlemen & owning their supply chains.
✅ Building massive brand loyalty among their users.
But despite these similarities, their tech philosophies are beginning to diverge.
⚠️ Where Musk & Apple Are Clashing: OpenAI, AI Ethics, & Data Privacy
1️⃣ AI Showdown: Musk Hates Apple’s Partnership with OpenAI
The biggest battle between Apple and Musk is happening right now—and it’s all about AI.
💥 The Spark: In June 2025, Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI, bringing ChatGPT-powered AI features into iPhones.
🔥 Musk’s Reaction? Rage.
He called it:
❌ "A massive security risk."
❌ "A violation of user privacy."
❌ "A mistake that will make Apple dependent on OpenAI forever."
And then Musk took it to the next level.
🚨 He threatened to ban iPhones from all his companies—Tesla, SpaceX, X, and Neuralink.
His reasoning?
He argues that Apple has no real control over OpenAI and that user data could be compromised.
📌 Apple’s Response? Silence.
While Apple hasn’t fired back publicly, insiders say the company is not happy with Musk’s attacks.
This feud isn’t just about AI—it’s about who controls the future of tech.
2️⃣ Data Privacy & Security: Different Philosophies
Apple has long marketed itself as a champion of user privacy.
📌 Apple’s Approach:
✅ End-to-end encryption for iMessage & FaceTime.
✅ No ads tracking you across apps.
✅ Data stays on-device whenever possible.
But Musk doesn’t buy it.
After Apple’s deal with OpenAI, he accused them of compromising their privacy-first image by allowing OpenAI access to iPhone user data.
🚀 Musk’s Stance:
- AI shouldn’t be controlled by a single corporation.
- Apple should develop its own AI instead of relying on OpenAI.
- If AI isn’t handled carefully, it could be a major security risk.
With Musk launching his own AI company, xAI, this fight is far from over.
3️⃣ The App Store War: Musk vs. Apple’s “Secret Tax”
Musk has never been a fan of Apple’s App Store policies.
📌 The Controversy: Apple takes a 30% cut from every app purchase and in-app transaction.
🔥 Musk calls it "a secret tax on the internet."
In 2022, Musk got into a Twitter war with Apple, even threatening to remove Twitter (now X) from the App Store. While the companies made peace, Musk still believes Apple’s fees are unfair.
This tension could explode again if Musk’s xAI or X-related services face App Store restrictions in the future.
🔮 The Future: Will Musk & Apple Be Friends or Enemies?
Here’s where it gets interesting…
🚀 Could Musk & Apple Work Together More?
- Starlink is now on iPhones.
- Apple might one day need Tesla’s EV charging network for future products.
- Both companies care about innovation.
🔥 Or Will This Rivalry Get Even Worse?
- Musk is building his own AI competitor to Apple.
- If Apple ever gets back into EVs, it could challenge Tesla.
- Musk’s X could one day compete with Apple’s services.
Right now, it seems like a cold war.
❌ They don’t trust each other.
❌ They attack each other publicly.
❌ And they’re both trying to control the future of AI.
But with trillions of dollars at stake, one thing is clear:
👉 The battle between Apple and Musk is just getting started.
🤔 What Do You Think?
- Is Musk overreacting about Apple’s AI deal?
- Would YOU stop using Apple products over AI security concerns?
- Do you think they’ll ever collaborate more—or are they destined to be rivals?
Drop your thoughts below! 🚀🔥
