GM Drops Apple CarPlay: Why Automakers Want Control of Your Dashboard
General Motors shocked the automotive world when it announced plans to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its future electric vehicles. For millions of drivers, plugging in a smartphone to access familiar maps and music is a non-negotiable feature. Understanding why GM is making this controversial move requires looking past the dashboard and looking directly at the company’s financial targets.
The Rollout and Affected Vehicles
General Motors is not flipping a switch and removing phone projection from every car overnight. The phase-out specifically targets their upcoming zero-emission lineup.
The strategy officially began with the launch of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. The change is also rolling out to the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV, and luxury models like the Cadillac Celestiq. If you buy a combustion-engine vehicle right now, such as a 2024 Chevy Tahoe or a GMC Yukon, you will still have access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, as the company transitions entirely to electric vehicles by 2035, the era of phone projection in a GM product will come to an end.
Instead of Apple CarPlay, buyers of new GM electric vehicles are greeted by “Ultifi.” This is GM’s proprietary software platform. It is powered by Google Built-In, meaning the car natively runs a version of Android Automotive OS. Drivers will use native versions of Google Maps and Google Assistant, and they will download apps like Spotify or Audible directly from the Google Play Store on the dashboard screen.
The $25 Billion Financial Target
The primary reason for dropping Apple CarPlay is recurring revenue. GM CEO Mary Barra has publicly stated a massive financial goal. The automaker wants to generate $20 billion to $25 billion annually from software and subscription services by 2030.
When you connect your iPhone and run Apple CarPlay, Apple controls the user interface. You are using Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Siri. GM makes zero dollars off that interaction.
By forcing drivers to use the native Ultifi system, GM regains control of the digital storefront. This allows the automaker to sell software packages directly to the consumer. These purchases might include hands-free driving upgrades like Super Cruise, premium navigation features, streaming entertainment packages, or even performance upgrades delivered over the air. To hit their ambitious $25 billion target, GM absolutely must own the screen you look at every day.
The Electric Vehicle Experience Argument
While revenue is a major driving force, General Motors executives argue that the decision is actually about improving the electric driving experience.
Gasoline cars are relatively simple, but electric vehicles require intense energy management. If you are using Apple CarPlay to navigate to a destination, your iPhone does not know the exact state of charge of your car battery. It cannot read deep vehicle telemetry.
With GM’s native Google Built-In system, the navigation map communicates directly with the battery management software. This allows for several major benefits:
- Accurate Route Planning: The native map knows your exact battery percentage and can automatically add the best charging stations to your route.
- Battery Preconditioning: When the native system knows you are navigating to a fast charger, it will automatically heat or cool the battery pack so it accepts electricity at the maximum speed upon arrival.
- Real-time Range Updates: The car can adjust your estimated arrival range based on local weather, topography, and your current driving speed.
Apple CarPlay simply does not have the permissions to access this deep mechanical data, making it less effective for long-distance electric travel.
The Battle for User Data
Data is the most valuable commodity in the modern tech economy. Right now, tech giants like Apple and Google harvest massive amounts of data regarding where people drive, what they listen to, and how they spend their time commuting.
Automakers are tired of giving this data away for free. By locking users into a native system, GM collects the telemetry. Knowing your daily driving habits, braking patterns, and routine destinations is incredibly valuable. GM can use this data internally to develop better products, or they can leverage it for their OnStar Smart Driver insurance programs. If an automaker controls the dashboard, they control the data pipeline.
A Risky Move Amidst Fierce Competition
This strategy carries enormous risk. Consumer surveys routinely show that phone projection is a top priority for new car buyers. Apple previously claimed that 79 percent of car buyers would only consider purchasing a vehicle if it included Apple CarPlay.
Competitors are actively using GM’s decision as a marketing tool. Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly confirmed that Ford will continue offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because it is what customers demand. Luxury brands like Porsche and Aston Martin are going even further, partnering with Apple to release a next-generation version of CarPlay that takes over all the screens in the car, including the speedometer.
GM is betting that consumers will adapt. They believe that once buyers experience a fully integrated Google Built-In system, the desire to project a phone screen will fade. Whether buyers are willing to break their smartphone habits to buy a Chevrolet or a Cadillac will become clear over the next few sales quarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my current GM car lose Apple CarPlay? No. If you currently own a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac that has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, GM is not removing it from your vehicle. The software phase-out only applies to newly manufactured electric vehicle models starting with the 2024 model year.
Do I have to pay a monthly fee to use the new navigation system? New GM electric vehicles come with an included trial period for the Google Built-In system. This trial usually covers basic Google Maps functionality for up to eight years. However, accessing premium data features, live traffic, or downloading third-party music apps will eventually require an active data subscription through OnStar or AT&T.
Does Android Auto still work in new GM EVs? No. Even though the native dashboard software is powered by Google, you cannot project your Android phone’s screen using the Android Auto app. You must log into your Google account directly on the car’s native dashboard to access your maps and contacts.