It started with a whisper back in early 2023, but by late 2025, it became a full-blown roar. General Motors is actually doing it. They are cutting the cord on the two most popular features in modern car cockpits. If you’ve bought a car in the last decade, you probably live by Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You get in, plug in (or connect wirelessly), and boom—your phone’s brain becomes the car’s brain. It's simple. It works.
But GM decided they wanted their brain back.
Honestly, the move feels like a massive gamble. When the news first hit that the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV would ship without these smartphone mirroring systems, people thought it was a fluke. Then came the Equinox EV and the Cadillac CELESTIQ. Now, CEO Mary Barra has made it clear in interviews, specifically on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, that this isn't just an "EV thing." The plan is to phase out CarPlay and Android Auto across the entire lineup as models get refreshed. If you're looking at a future gas-powered Tahoe or Silverado, don't be shocked when that familiar icon is missing from the dash.
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Why General Motors Discontinues CarPlay Android Auto (The Real Story)
The official line from Detroit is all about "integration" and "safety." GM’s software leadership, including Chief Digital Officer Edward Kummer and Baris Cetinok, argue that a native system is just... better. They claim that jumping between the car’s built-in menus (to change climate or check battery health) and the phone’s interface is "clunky."
They want a "unified" experience. But let’s be real for a second.
If you’ve ever used a car's built-in GPS from 2015, you know it was basically a digital paper map that hated you. GM says those days are over. They’ve partnered deeply with Google to build an ecosystem called Ultifi, which runs on Android Automotive OS. Note the name—this isn't "Android Auto" (the thing on your phone); it’s a full operating system living inside the car’s hardware.
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It’s basically a data and subscription play
Here is the part nobody likes to talk about. Data is the new oil, and GM wants every drop. When you use CarPlay, Apple gets the data on where you’re going and what you’re listening to. When GM owns the OS, they get the data.
- Subscriptions: GM believes they can make billions in "software-defined vehicle" revenue.
- Predictive Maintenance: They can see a part failing before you do and nudge you to a dealer.
- E-Commerce: Buying coffee or paying for parking directly from the dashboard.
Basically, they’re tired of being the "dumb pipe" for your iPhone. They want to be the platform.
What’s it like inside a GM car without CarPlay?
So, you hop into a new 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV. You look for the button. It’s not there. Instead, you have "Google Built-in."
You get Google Maps natively. It’s actually pretty slick because it knows your car's state of charge. If you’re driving to a destination that’s 200 miles away and you only have 100 miles of range, the car automatically plots a charging stop. CarPlay can't easily do that because it doesn't always know exactly how much juice is left in your battery or how the cold weather is affecting your efficiency in real-time.
But there’s a catch. Or three.
First, you’re tethered to a data plan. GM usually gives you a few years for free, but after that? You’re likely looking at a monthly bill to keep those maps updated and your Spotify working. Second, if you’re an Apple user, you’re losing things like Apple Maps (which many prefer for the watch haptics) or seamless access to your iCloud library. Sure, there’s Bluetooth, but we all know Bluetooth is the "diet soda" of audio—it's fine, but it's not the real thing.
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The backlash has been... loud
People are genuinely annoyed. Some folks on Reddit and various forums have gone as far as saying "no CarPlay, no sale." It's a dealbreaker for a lot of people who change cars every five years but change phones every two. Your phone is always the fastest computer you own. By the time a 2026 Cadillac is eight years old, its onboard processor might feel like a calculator compared to the iPhone 22.
And yet, GM isn't the first. Tesla has never had CarPlay. Rivian doesn't have it either. Those brands have cult-like followings because their software is actually good. GM has to prove they can write code as well as they can build trucks. If the system is laggy or the "app store" is empty, this decision will haunt them.
What about existing GM cars?
If you have a 2023 Silverado with CarPlay, relax. They aren't going to beam a "kill switch" to your truck. This is a "going forward" strategy. The Cadillac Lyriq and the GMC Hummer EV actually kept the smartphone features for a bit longer than others, but even those brands are moving toward the centralized computing model, especially with the upcoming Escalade IQ.
Actionable steps for the savvy car buyer
If you’re currently shopping for a GM vehicle and the "General Motors discontinues CarPlay Android Auto" news has you sweating, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the "Google Built-in" compatibility: If you’re an Android user, the transition is almost invisible. Your Google account syncs up, your "recent places" in Maps appear, and it feels like home. If you’re an iPhone user, go to the dealership and actually try to pair your phone. See if the Bluetooth-only experience drives you crazy before you sign the paperwork.
- Evaluate the long-term costs: Ask the salesperson exactly how long the "connected services" stay free. Is it 3 years? 8 years? Get the monthly price for the subscription after the trial ends. You don't want a "dumb" screen in five years because you don't want to pay $25 a month.
- Look at the "Level 3" roadmap: GM is pushing hard for hands-free driving (Super Cruise and eventually Ultra Cruise). These features are deeply tied to the native maps. If you want the best self-driving tech, you sorta have to live in their ecosystem.
- Consider the competition: Ford, Hyundai, and Toyota have all publicly committed to keeping CarPlay and Android Auto. If the smartphone interface is your "must-have" feature, you might find yourself looking at an F-150 instead of a Silverado for the first time in your life.
The era of the "unlocked" dashboard is closing at GM. Whether it’s a stroke of genius or a massive mistake depends entirely on how many people are willing to trade their phone’s convenience for a car that thinks it’s a smartphone.
Check your local dealer inventory for 2025 models to see which ones still have the "legacy" tech and which ones have already moved to the Ultifi world. Comparison shopping has never been more about the screen than it is right now.