GM Is Removing CarPlay From All Its Cars — Here's What You Need to Know

General Motors just made one of the most controversial calls in recent automotive history. Starting in 2028, every new GM vehicle — gas, hybrid, or electric — will ship without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. No exceptions.

If you're a GM owner or considering buying one, this is a big deal. Here's everything you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• GM is removing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from all new vehicles starting with the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ
• The phase-out covers all GM brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick
• GM is replacing these systems with its own platform called Ultifi, built on Android Automotive OS and powered by Google
• The company's stated reason is safety and deeper integration, but data ownership and subscription revenue appear to be major motivators
• 55% of drivers say losing CarPlay is a deal-breaker when buying a car
• Existing GM vehicles with CarPlay will keep it — only 2028 and newer models built on the new platform are affected
• GM shut down a third-party retrofit kit that let owners add CarPlay back to affected EVs

What GM Is Actually Doing

GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed the plan in an October 2025 interview on The Verge's Decoder podcast. What started as an EV-only policy — affecting models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq — is now expanding to every single vehicle GM makes.

The transition kicks off in 2028 with the Cadillac Escalade IQ. That will be the first model to run on GM's new centralized computing platform. From there, each model switches over as it goes through its normal refresh cycle.

So if you buy a GM car today, you keep CarPlay. Buy one in 2028 or later, and you won't have it at all.

The Timeline: When Does This Happen?

Here's a simple breakdown of where things stand as of April 2026:

• 2023: GM first announced CarPlay removal for EVs only
• 2024: First CarPlay-free GM EVs (Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Lyriq) began reaching customers
• October 2025: CEO Mary Barra confirmed the plan expands to all vehicles — gas and electric
• 2028: New centralized computing platform debuts with the Cadillac Escalade IQ — no CarPlay
• 2028 onward: All new GM models transition as they're refreshed

If you want CarPlay in a GM vehicle, your window is closing fast. You'd need to buy a gas-powered GM model before the 2028 changeover hits your specific model.

Why Is GM Removing CarPlay?

GM has given a few different explanations. Let's walk through each one.

The Safety Argument

GM's head of infotainment product, Tim Babbitt, has argued that CarPlay and Android Auto cause driver distraction. His theory is that when these systems glitch — and they do sometimes — drivers get frustrated and reach for their actual phones, which is dangerous.

But this argument doesn't hold up against the data.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety actually tested this. They compared CarPlay, Android Auto, and five different built-in infotainment systems. The result? CarPlay and Android Auto created less mental and visual demand than native systems. Drivers using CarPlay were distracted for 15 fewer seconds when entering navigation destinations compared to using a vehicle's built-in system.

So the safety argument just doesn't match what the research shows.

The "Better Integration" Argument

GM executives have said CarPlay is like "mirroring your phone onto your laptop" — a surface-level experience that can't tap into the vehicle's full capabilities. They argue a native system can connect navigation, battery management (for EVs), advanced driver assistance, and infotainment in a way smartphone projection simply can't.

There's some truth here. Deep EV route planning, Level 3 autonomous driving integration, and AI assistants genuinely do benefit from a tightly unified software stack. The new platform delivers 35 times more AI computing power and 10 times more over-the-air update capacity than GM's previous systems.

But the question is whether that justifies removing a feature 83% of CarPlay users rely on every single day.

The Real Reason: Data and Subscription Revenue

This is where things get candid.

When drivers use CarPlay or Android Auto, the data from their navigation, music, calls, and app usage flows to Apple and Google — not GM. Andrew Hart, CEO of analyst firm SBD, put it plainly: "They don't know how you are using their infotainment system. That starves car companies."

By controlling the entire infotainment layer, GM captures all of that data itself.

And then there's money. GM is targeting more than $25 billion annually from subscriptions and connected services by 2030. In 2025, GM already generated $2.7 billion in subscription revenue, up from $1.7 billion in 2020. Removing CarPlay and Android Auto is a key part of building that ecosystem — because if your phone handles everything for free, there's nothing left to charge for.

What Replaces CarPlay? Meet GM's Ultifi Platform

GM's replacement is called Ultifi, built on Android Automotive OS — Google's purpose-built operating system for vehicles. This is different from Android Auto. Android Auto just mirrors your phone. Android Automotive is the operating system running natively on the car's hardware.

So GM is replacing one Google-connected system with a different, deeper Google system. That irony hasn't been lost on critics.

What You Get With Ultifi

• Native Google Maps with EV-aware routing
• Native Spotify, YouTube Music, and Audible
• Google Assistant voice control
• Apple Music integration with Spatial Audio (recently added)
• Google Gemini AI assistant arriving in 2026 — can answer questions, explain vehicle features, and let you control systems through natural language
• Eight years of free connectivity included with vehicle purchase through OnStar Basics

What You Lose

• Every iPhone-native app: Apple Maps, Messages, Podcasts, Siri, Phone
• The ability to mirror any smartphone app that isn't pre-loaded by GM
• Seamless app updates — new apps only reach the car if GM builds or approves them
• The interface you already know

And after the free eight years? Subscription fees kick in for features you may currently get for free through your phone.

How Bad Is the Consumer Backlash?

Pretty bad. The numbers are hard to ignore.

According to survey data, 55% of drivers say the absence of CarPlay is an absolute deal-breaker when buying a vehicle. In a GM Authority poll of GM's own customers, 87–88% called it a dealbreaker.

As of 2025, 83% of Americans with CarPlay or Android Auto actively use one of those systems in their primary vehicle. This isn't a niche feature — it's a core part of how most people experience their car every day.

Real customers have been vocal too. One Chevy Bolt EUV owner wrote: "Love my car, but GM dropping CarPlay is a deal-breaker. No CarPlay = no future GM purchase from me." A Corvette Z06 owner who paid $185,000 for their car found out the factory navigation only worked for 30 days before requiring a paid subscription.

Industry media hasn't been kind either. Cars.com editors wrote: "It's not hard to see a scenario where a shopper weighing two similar vehicles — one with CarPlay and a GM one without — chooses the non-GM vehicle based on this feature alone."

At Car Tech Studio, we've heard the same frustration from customers. People who love their GM vehicles but can't get behind the idea of losing the one feature they use most.

The Third-Party Retrofit Story

When GM first removed CarPlay from EVs, a company called White Automotive & Media Services (WAMS) developed a retrofit kit. For around $55 plus a Carlinkit adapter, owners could restore CarPlay to their Ultium-based EVs.

About 300 owners installed it.

Then in March 2025, GM pressured WAMS to stop making the kit. GM cited "safety concerns" and warned that future software updates could disable or conflict with the modification. WAMS complied and stopped selling the kit.

This is significant. GM wasn't just removing the feature — it actively blocked owners from getting it back themselves. In an era where vehicle software is deeply tied to safety systems and warranties, manufacturers have a lot of leverage over what you can do with your own car.

How Does GM Compare to Other Automakers?

GM's position is an outlier. Most major automakers haven't gone this far.

Still supporting CarPlay: Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Lincoln, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, and Ford all continue to offer CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford was particularly direct, with spokesperson Alan Hall stating: "We will continue to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because customers love the capability."

Never had CarPlay: Tesla and Rivian have always used their own systems. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe acknowledged the trade-off openly: "We accept that. Some folks, that means they're not going to buy a Rivian."

Going deeper with CarPlay: Aston Martin has launched CarPlay Ultra, Apple's next-gen system that offers even deeper vehicle integration. Hyundai and Kia are expected to introduce CarPlay Ultra in mass-market vehicles in the second half of 2026. This trend goes directly against what GM is doing.

The auto industry is split. But the majority of mainstream brands are moving toward more smartphone integration, not less.

The Data Privacy Angle

There's another side to this worth knowing about.

When GM controls your infotainment system, it collects far more data about your behavior — every navigation destination, every song, every call, every app interaction.

This matters because GM has already been in trouble for exactly this. In January 2025, the Federal Trade Commission took action against GM for collecting and sharing driver behavior data — including precise location, hard braking, speeding, and late-night driving — with companies like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, sometimes as frequently as every three seconds.

The FTC settlement banned GM from selling that type of sensitive data to consumer reporting agencies for five years and required GM to publish a list of all third parties it shares driver data with.

By eliminating CarPlay, GM expands its visibility into everything you do in the car. For drivers already concerned about how their data is used, that's a real problem — and not a small one.

The Subscription Cost Reality

Let's talk about what this actually costs over time.

GM currently offers tiered OnStar plans starting at $34.99 per month. All 2025 and newer vehicles get eight years of core connectivity at no extra charge. But after that, ongoing services require payment.

Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving system, costs $2,200 for three years on Chevrolet and GMC vehicles ($2,500 for Cadillac), then drops to $25/month or $250/year after that.

Compare that to CarPlay, which costs nothing and uses apps you already pay for on your phone.

The broader industry trend makes this even clearer: BMW charges for drive recorder access, Ford charges for BlueCruise, Mercedes charges for premium connected services. Add these up over 10–15 years of ownership and the numbers get significant fast.

Will GM Change Course?

It's possible. GM did pause sales of the 2024 Blazer EV specifically to fix "software quality issues" — a rare admission that the replacement system wasn't ready. GM has also acknowledged it's still working to fix things like the per-app login process in Ultifi.

As of early 2026, GM's subscription revenue growth is showing promise — $2.7 billion realized in 2025 with strong Super Cruise and OnStar adoption. That momentum may push the company to stay the course.

But with competitors keeping CarPlay — and some even moving toward CarPlay Ultra — the competitive pressure isn't going away. A December 2025 GM Authority poll asked readers whether GM would regret this decision, and the vote leaned heavily toward yes.

What Should You Do If You Want CarPlay in a GM Vehicle?

Here's practical advice depending on your situation:

• Buying a new GM vehicle before 2028: Many gas-powered GM models still support CarPlay. Confirm with the dealer that the specific model year you're buying includes it.
• Already own a CarPlay-free GM EV: The WAMS retrofit kit is no longer available. Your main workaround is Bluetooth mirroring from your phone — though it's not the same experience.
• Considering a GM vehicle in 2028 or later: Expect no CarPlay. Evaluate GM's native system carefully before committing, or look at competitors that still support it.
• Want CarPlay guaranteed long-term: Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and most other major brands continue to offer it.

If you drive an older GM vehicle that doesn't have CarPlay built in and you want to add it, aftermarket head unit upgrades are worth exploring. For Cadillac and Buick owners specifically, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto modules offer a plug-and-play solution for older models that never came with the feature from the factory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GM removing CarPlay from all vehicles?

Yes. GM confirmed in October 2025 that it will remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its entire vehicle lineup, not just EVs. The transition begins with the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ and will roll out across Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick models as each nameplate is refreshed.

Will my current GM vehicle lose CarPlay?

No. GM has stated that existing vehicles with CarPlay and Android Auto will keep those features. The removal only applies to vehicles built on GM's new centralized computing platform, starting with 2028 model year vehicles.

What is replacing CarPlay in GM vehicles?

GM is replacing CarPlay with its Ultifi platform, which runs on Android Automotive OS. It includes native Google Maps, Google Assistant, Spotify, Audible, YouTube Music, and Apple Music. A Google Gemini-powered AI assistant is also being added starting in 2026.

Why is GM removing CarPlay?

GM's official reason is safety and deeper vehicle integration. However, industry analysts widely point to data ownership and subscription revenue as the real drivers. When CarPlay is used, data flows to Apple rather than GM. By controlling the infotainment system, GM can collect that data and build subscription services around it — targeting over $25 billion annually from connected services by 2030.

Can I add CarPlay back to a GM vehicle that doesn't have it?

A third-party retrofit kit existed but GM pressured the manufacturer to stop selling it in March 2025. For older GM vehicles that didn't come with CarPlay from the factory, aftermarket head unit upgrades are an option — though these work differently from the factory integration GM removed. Owners of older Chevrolet and GMC models may also find vehicle-specific upgrade solutions worth exploring.

How do other car brands compare to GM on CarPlay?

Most major brands still support CarPlay. Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and others have all confirmed they're keeping it. Some, like Aston Martin and Hyundai/Kia, are even adopting Apple's next-generation CarPlay Ultra system. Tesla and Rivian are the main brands that have never offered CarPlay.

Is GM's new infotainment system any good?

It's a mixed picture. The platform has shown genuine capability — fast processing, EV-aware routing, and solid app integration. But early owners of CarPlay-free GM EVs reported frustrating issues including black screens, connectivity failures, and per-app login friction. GM paused Blazer EV sales in 2023 to address software quality problems and issued a dealer bulletin in 2025 acknowledging ongoing infotainment issues across multiple models.

What happens after the free 8-year connectivity period ends?

After the initial eight years of free OnStar connectivity, ongoing services require paid subscriptions. The base OnStar plan starts at $34.99/month. Premium features like Super Cruise cost $250/year or $25/month after the initial purchase package expires. Features you currently access for free through CarPlay and your phone may require separate ongoing fees in GM's ecosystem.