General Motors has made it official that there will be no more phone projection on future launches. This means that apps such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will not be available in all future GM vehicles and not just the electric ones. This decision marks a major shift in how drivers connect their phones, apps, and data inside GM vehicles.
CarPlay and Android Auto Gone for Good
In an interview on The Verge, GM CEO Mary Barra said that the move is designed to create a more seamless in-car experience. “It wasn’t seamless, and frankly, in some cases, it could be distracting to move back and forth,” she explained, referring to switching between the native infotainment system to CarPlay.
In 2023, GM started to phase out phone projection in its electric vehicles (EVs,) including the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV. Until now, gas-powered vehicles still have both Apple and Android systems. Going forward, Barra said that as GM redesigns each car, the rule will be no more Android Auto and CarPlay.
“When you look at the fact that we have over 40 models across our portfolio, you don’t just do this, and they all update,” Barra noted. “As we move forward with each new vehicle and major new vehicle launch, you’re going to see us consistent on that.”
Why GM Is Making the Switch
GM believes that its own Android Automotive-based infotainment system will deliver a better and more deeply integrated experience. The software will be powered by Google and will include built-in apps such as Google Maps, Spotify, and Assistant.
According to Barra, the existing phone projection created distractions that were unnecessary and that could increase the risk of accidents when driving. GM’s Chief Product Officer, Sterling Anderson, added that the aim is to simplify everything, including logins. “We’re working on a way to simplify in-vehicle logins,” he said.
Anderson compared the move to Apple’s early removal of the disk drive. “It’s a very Jobsian approach,” he said. “Everybody complained at first, but it turned out to be the right move.”
A Shift That Could Alienate Drivers
Not everyone is happy with GM’s move. A study done by AutoPacific in July showed that 60% of car shoppers felt the absence of CarPlay or Android Auto a dealbreaker. Most drivers rely on CarPlay or Android Auto for music, messaging, and navigation.
There was a lot of backlash on Social Media. One X user wrote, “If GM decides to go forward with eliminating CarPlay, I will never consider a GM vehicle again. No CarPlay, no sale.” Another said, “CarPlay is still super intuitive, while legacy auto sucks at creating basic software. Wrong move from GM.”
Unlike GM, Ford decided to take a different approach. To Ford, CarPlay is one of the most loved features in their vehicles, and they do not plan to eliminate it. The company even plans to include support for Apple’s upcoming CarPlay Ultra, which will integrate with vehicle systems like climate control and door locks.
What Happens When You Upgrade
The good news is that no change will be made to the existing vehicles. “We are not making any changes to existing vehicles,” GM confirmed. “If your car supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, that will continue.”
However, if you buy the future GM models, you will use Google-based apps instead of your phone’s. For music, you will need to log in to Spotify and YouTube Music. For navigation, drivers will rely on Google Maps. There will be no iPhone or Android shortcuts.
GM is developing a centralized computing platform set to be released around 2028. The system will integrate all of GM’s vehicles under one software structure designed to handle everything from entertainment to advanced driver assistance.
The Future of GM’s In-Car Experience
GM’s decision aligns it with tech-first EV brands like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla, all of which rely on native software instead of Android or Apple. GM’s move is risky for a legacy automaker that has a customer base that spans multiple generations.
Whether GM’s gamble will be successful or not depends on how smoothly its in-house systems deliver and how ready drivers are willing to forego the convenience of their phones. For now, drivers who love CarPlay or Android Auto may not like the direction GM is heading.