GM's breakup with CarPlay and Android Auto has one exception

GM’s lineup is dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of its own infotainment systems. But one model is keeping the phone-mirroring capabilities. GM’s breakup with CarPlay and Android Auto has one exception.

News EVs and Transportation GM’s breakup with CarPlay and Android Auto has one exception Is Cadillac’s Lyriq EV an exception to the rule, or a sign of things to come. The trend has generated a fair bit of controversy, with critics labeling it as an industry-wide pivot toward subscription models and data-related cash grabs. Executives, meanwhile, have billed the move as providing a more smooth, functional in-car experience.

One of the companies most invested in this move is General Motors. Last year, CEO Mary Barra confirmed that GM would phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its gas-powered vehicle lineup, doubling down on the controversial decision to drop the popular entertainment systems from its EVs in 2023. In its place, the company is upgrading its in-house infotainment, replacing its built-in Google operating system with Google’s AI assistant, Gemini.

In an April press release, the company stated that it hopes to deliver "a custom-built AI assistant, fine-tuned with proprietary vehicle data to help anticipate your every need" by the end of 2026. Not every vehicle in GM’s lineup will be losing access to third-party infotainment systems.