GM Apple CarPlay Retrofit Kit Removal: Why It Was Discontinued & What's Next

Few things in car tech have caused as much frustration as GM’s recent move to shut down the only Apple CarPlay retrofit solution for its electric vehicles. As someone who’s been in the car tech industry for years, I’ve seen plenty of controversial decisions. But this one? It hits differently.

Key Takeaways

• GM forced White Automotive & Media Services to stop selling the only Apple CarPlay retrofit kit for Ultium-based EVs in March 2025

• The company cited safety concerns and potential warranty issues

• Owners who already bought the retrofit now face an uncertain future, with GM warning that software updates might disable it

• No other solutions exist for adding CarPlay to GM’s newest electric vehicles

• This affects popular models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Equinox EV, and Cadillac Lyriq

The Background: GM’s Strategic Shift Away from Smartphone Integration

General Motors shocked the car industry when it announced in April 2023 that it would remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its upcoming electric vehicles. This wasn’t a gradual phase-out – it was a complete removal of features that surveys show 85% of car buyers want.

The decision hit GM’s Ultium platform vehicles hardest. These represent the company’s electric vehicle future. Models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and Cadillac Lyriq all launched without the smartphone integration that drivers have come to expect.

GM’s Reasoning for Removing CarPlay

GM executives said this was about safety. They claimed their own infotainment system would be less distracting than smartphone projection systems. The company argued that by controlling the entire software experience, they could create a safer driving environment.

But industry experts pointed out something odd about this reasoning. GM was replacing one Google-based system (Android Auto) with another (Android Automotive OS). They weren’t really improving safety – they were just taking away consumer choice.

The White Automotive Solution: A Brief Hope

In November 2024, Michigan-based White Automotive & Media Services (WAMS) launched what seemed like the perfect answer to GM’s CarPlay problem. Their GM CarPlay retrofit promised to bring back full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to GM’s Ultium-based EVs.

How the Retrofit Kit Worked

The WAMS solution wasn’t simple. It required professional installation and deep integration with GM’s software systems. The kit offered:

Complete System Integration: Unlike basic aftermarket solutions that just overlay CarPlay on screens, the WAMS retrofit worked with the vehicle’s instrument cluster, main touchscreen, and heads-up display.

Wireless Connection: The system supported both wired and wireless connections. Drivers could use their phones without cables while maintaining full functionality like Siri and Google Assistant.

Factory-Like Experience: When installed correctly, the retrofit provided an experience that felt like factory-installed CarPlay systems.

The Installation Challenge

The retrofit’s complexity meant regular car audio shops couldn’t install it. WAMS only worked with LaFontaine Chevrolet in Plymouth, Michigan. This made it the sole authorized installation center in the United States.

This created significant challenges. GM EV owners from across the country had to travel to Michigan or ship their cars to get the retrofit. Despite these hurdles, the kit was popular. Installation appointments were booked weeks in advance.

GM’s Crackdown: The End of the Solution

Just five months after launch, the WAMS retrofit kit was shut down. In March 2025, GM stepped in directly and forced the end of the only CarPlay solution for its electric vehicles. The GM Apple CarPlay retrofit kit removal became a reality, leaving customers without their desired smartphone integration.

The Pressure Campaign

GM’s approach was direct. The company conducted what it called an “investigation” into the retrofit’s safety and concluded the modification “could have adverse effects on critical vehicle functions.” More importantly, GM directly pressured LaFontaine Chevrolet to stop installations.

Sources confirmed that GM’s investigation focused on potential conflicts between the retrofit and future software updates. The company worried that planned software upgrades could disable or conflict with the third-party CarPlay integration.

GM’s Official Statement

GM issued a statement that read: “Aftermarket services that add features not originally designed, tested, and approved by GM may cause unexpected issues for customers. These issues could affect critical safety features and may also void portions of the vehicle’s warranty.”

This represented a significant escalation in GM’s opposition to aftermarket modifications. While automakers have always been cautious about modifications that could affect safety systems, GM’s intervention here was unusually direct.

Safety Concerns: Examining GM’s Claims

GM said it shut down the retrofit due to safety and system integration concerns. However, these claims deserve closer examination given how the WAMS solution worked and the broader context of automotive modifications.

The “Critical Systems” Argument

GM argued the retrofit could interfere with critical vehicle functions. But the company never provided specific examples of these potential conflicts. The WAMS solution operated primarily at the display level, interfacing with the vehicle’s infotainment system rather than core safety systems like braking, steering, or battery management.

During the five months the retrofit was available, no verified safety incidents were reported. This lack of evidence raises questions about whether GM’s safety concerns were genuine or driven by other factors.

Software Update Threats

Perhaps more concerning than the safety argument was GM’s warning that future software updates could disable the retrofit. This threat demonstrates how manufacturers can use software updates to enforce control, even after consumers have purchased and modified their vehicles.

The ability to remotely disable third-party modifications represents a new form of manufacturer control that extends well beyond the point of sale. GM’s warning created a situation where retrofit owners faced the constant threat of their $1,000 investment being rendered useless by a software update.

The Impact on Current Retrofit Owners

The GM Apple CarPlay retrofit discontinued situation created immediate and long-term challenges for the roughly 300 owners who had already installed the system. These early adopters now face a uniquely challenging situation.

Functionality at Risk

GM’s statement that future software updates might disable the retrofit means owners who invested in the system face an uncertain future. Unlike traditional aftermarket modifications that continue working regardless of manufacturer actions, the retrofit’s deep integration with GM’s software makes it vulnerable to remote shutdown.

Warranty Concerns

GM’s explicit statement that the retrofit “may void portions of the vehicle’s warranty” creates additional anxiety for owners. The company’s use of “portions” leaves unclear which warranty coverage might be affected, potentially creating disputes over unrelated repairs.

No Support Network

With WAMS discontinuing the product and no authorized service channels remaining, retrofit owners have no recourse for troubleshooting or repairs. This situation highlights the risks of purchasing aftermarket solutions that depend on ongoing manufacturer tolerance.

Consumer Reaction and Market Impact

The elimination of the WAMS retrofit has generated significant backlash from both consumers and industry observers. The controversy highlights the growing tension between manufacturer control and consumer choice in the software-defined vehicle era.

Consumer Preference Data

Industry data consistently contradicts GM’s position on smartphone integration:

According to McKinsey’s 2024 automotive survey, 85% of car buyers consider Apple CarPlay and Android Auto essential features. Additionally, 45% said they would reject any vehicle without these capabilities, regardless of other features or pricing.

A GM Authority poll of the company’s own customers found that 88% called the absence of CarPlay a “dealbreaker” when considering new vehicle purchases. This data suggests GM’s strategy may be significantly misaligned with consumer preferences.

Competitive Disadvantage

Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly contrasted his company’s approach with GM’s strategy, stating: “We kind of lost that battle 10 years ago. So like get real with it because you’re not going to make a ton of money on content inside the vehicle.” Ford’s clear commitment to maintaining CarPlay compatibility highlights the competitive risk in GM’s approach.

Other automakers have taken note of the consumer backlash against GM’s decision. Several brands have specifically highlighted their CarPlay compatibility in marketing materials, positioning it as a competitive advantage over GM’s offerings.

The Broader Impact on Automotive Software

GM’s successful elimination of the WAMS retrofit sets troubling precedents for consumer rights in automotive software. The incident demonstrates how manufacturers can use various pressure points to control third-party modifications.

The Right to Modify

The automotive aftermarket has traditionally operated under the assumption that consumers can modify their vehicles after purchase. GM’s intervention in the WAMS case challenges this assumption, particularly for modifications that involve software integration.

The situation parallels ongoing “right to repair” debates in other industries, where manufacturers have sought to control post-purchase modifications and repairs. GM’s success in eliminating the retrofit could encourage similar actions by other automakers.

Software as a Control Tool

The WAMS case demonstrates how software integration can be weaponized as a tool for manufacturer control. Unlike traditional mechanical modifications, software-based aftermarket solutions can be remotely disabled or blocked through over-the-air updates.

This dynamic creates a new category of consumer vulnerability. Owners who invest in software-based modifications face the constant risk that manufacturers will render their purchases useless through remote updates.

What’s Next for GM EV Owners?

With the GM Apple CarPlay retrofit kit removal now complete and no alternative solutions available, GM EV owners face limited options for smartphone integration. The current landscape offers few viable alternatives.

Accepting the Factory System

The most straightforward option for GM EV owners is to accept the company’s built-in infotainment system. However, this system has significant limitations compared to CarPlay and Android Auto, including fewer apps and less intuitive interfaces.

GM’s Ultifi system, while based on Android Automotive OS, doesn’t provide access to the full Google Play Store or the comprehensive app ecosystem that smartphone users expect. This limitation becomes particularly apparent for users who rely on specific apps for navigation, music, or communication.

External Mounting Solutions

Some owners have turned to dashboard-mounted phone holders and external displays as workarounds. These solutions compromise the integrated experience that modern drivers expect and may present safety concerns due to their more distracting nature.

For those seeking a more integrated solution, options like wireless CarPlay modules for other vehicle brands demonstrate what’s possible when manufacturers don’t actively block aftermarket solutions.

Vehicle Replacement

The most drastic response to GM’s CarPlay elimination has been early lease terminations and vehicle returns. Some owners have concluded that the absence of smartphone integration makes their GM EVs unsuitable for their needs.

This response represents a significant failure of GM’s strategy. The company’s goal of creating a more integrated experience has instead driven some customers away entirely.

The Future of Car Infotainment

The GM Apple CarPlay retrofit kit removal provides insights into the future direction of automotive infotainment systems and the ongoing battle between manufacturer control and consumer choice.

Manufacturer Consolidation

GM’s successful suppression of the retrofit solution may encourage other manufacturers to take similar approaches. The incident demonstrates that automakers can effectively eliminate third-party modifications through legal and business pressure rather than technical prevention.

This trend toward manufacturer consolidation could significantly reduce consumer choice in automotive software. If other automakers follow GM’s lead, the aftermarket for infotainment modifications could shrink dramatically.

For now, companies like Car Tech Studio continue to offer solutions for brands that haven’t adopted GM’s restrictive approach, providing options like Tesla-style screens and premium Android head units for compatible vehicles.

Regulatory Response

The WAMS case may prompt regulatory attention to automotive software modification rights. The Federal Trade Commission has previously intervened in right-to-repair cases involving other industries, and similar attention could extend to automotive software.

Potential regulatory responses might include requirements for manufacturers to support third-party modifications or restrictions on the use of software updates to disable aftermarket solutions.

Technology Evolution

The ongoing conflict between manufacturers and consumers over smartphone integration may drive technological solutions. Future aftermarket products might be designed to be more resistant to manufacturer interference or to operate independently of factory systems.

The success of universal CarPlay solutions in other vehicles suggests that technical workarounds may be possible, even in the face of manufacturer opposition.

Conclusion: A Warning for the Software-Defined Vehicle Era

The GM Apple CarPlay retrofit kit removal represents more than just a product discontinuation. It demonstrates the fundamental shift in automotive ownership that occurs when vehicles become software platforms rather than mechanical devices.

The WAMS retrofit case illustrates how manufacturers can use software integration, warranty concerns, and business pressure to control post-purchase modifications. This level of control extends far beyond traditional automotive relationships and creates new categories of consumer vulnerability.

For current GM EV owners, the situation remains challenging. The absence of viable CarPlay alternatives means accepting a compromised smartphone integration experience or considering vehicle replacement. The company’s commitment to its own infotainment approach suggests that relief is unlikely without a significant policy shift.

Looking forward, the WAMS case serves as a warning for both consumers and policymakers. As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, the balance between manufacturer control and consumer choice will continue to evolve. The automotive industry must navigate these questions as it moves toward a more connected future.

Based on our experience at Car Tech Studio, we’ve seen how important smartphone integration is to drivers. The ultimate resolution of these tensions will likely require a combination of market forces, regulatory intervention, and industry self-regulation. Until then, consumers face an increasingly complex landscape where their choices about vehicle modifications can be overridden by manufacturers through software updates and business pressure.