General Motors will gradually discontinue support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its entire gas-powered vehicle lineup, extending a move that started with its EVs. GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed on The Verge’s Decoder podcast that, beginning in 2028 with the debut of a new in-house computing platform, all new GM vehicles, including those with internal combustion engines, will no longer support these popular phone-mirroring systems.
New Computing Platform & Timeline
The phase-out will coincide with the rollout of GM’s centralized computing architecture, starting with the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ. This new system will be based on Google’s software backbone, featuring a Google Gemini-powered assistant and custom applications developed in-house and with partners. This move is intended to provide a more deeply integrated native infotainment experience for all GM brands.
Strategy Shift & Rationale
GM previously eliminated CarPlay and Android Auto from its electric vehicles in 2023, sparking criticism from drivers who value seamless smartphone integration for music, navigation, and messaging. The company’s new strategy seeks to unify its onboard technology, monetize in-car services through subscriptions, and gain control over user data, which is not accessible to automakers when customers use Apple or Google phone systems.
Mary Barra explained that the rollout will occur gradually as each new or redesigned model launches from 2028 onward, and that existing GM gas-powered vehicles with CarPlay and Android Auto will retain those features for their lifetime. Barra stated, “As we introduce new vehicles and significant launches, we will remain consistent in our approach.”
Google-Based Infotainment & Subscription Features
Future GM infotainment systems will be heavily based on Google’s open automotive platform, with deep integration of voice assistants, streaming apps, and connected navigation. While Android users may see some benefit from the built-in Google ecosystem, Apple iPhone users will lose the familiar CarPlay interface and will need to use GM’s proprietary solutions.
Notably, many features that are free within Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, such as streaming and mapping services, may require paid subscriptions in the GM system, a trend seen across the auto industry as software-defined vehicles become more common.
Impact On Consumers & Dealers
There is expected to be significant consumer resistance, particularly from iPhone users who value CarPlay for its simplicity, reliability, and safety. GM dealers are preparing for additional buyer questions about infotainment changes and will need to emphasize GM’s in-house technology and expanding subscription features in future sales discussions.
Conclusion
Starting in 2028, General Motors will phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from all new gasoline and electric vehicles, replacing them with its own Google-based and subscription-driven infotainment systems. GM’s shift aims to control user data, offer a consistent experience, and generate new subscription revenue streams, but it will challenge buyer expectations in a market where seamless phone integration has become the norm. Existing GM owners will continue to have access to CarPlay and Android Auto in their current vehicles for the foreseeable future.
