General Motors has confirmed that will withdraw compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for its entire offering, a move that will be completed with the arrival of its new computing platform in 2028. The measure, announced by its CEO Mary Barra in a conversation with The Verge, will affect both combustion and electric models, and will be implemented gradually as the ranges are renewed.
The company will pivot towards a native on-board ecosystem, based on Android Automotive and powered by Google Gemini, with the promise of more coherent integration between vehicle software and hardware. The shift aims to reduce dependence on connected phones and consolidate a software-defined car with integrated updates and services.
What exactly has GM announced?
According to Mary Barra, the goal is to unify the driver's digital experience around a proprietary system, avoiding switching between the phone and car interfaces, something the brand considers to be slow and potentially distracting; measures such as do not disturb mode can help reduce them. The recall began in 2023 with certain electric vehicles and will now be extended to other new platforms as they are updated.
GM maintains that vehicles that already offer CarPlay or Android Auto will continue to maintain them, while upcoming releases will migrate toward the centralized architecture the company is preparing for 2028. The schedule won't be overnight: the group markets more than 40 models, and each has its own life cycle.
What the system that will replace CarPlay and Android Auto will be like
The new experience will be based on Android Automotive with Google services, allowing native apps to run in the car and give prominence to the Gemini assistant to control functions by voice, offer contextual recommendations, and manage tasks without looking at the phone. This approach promises deeper integration with vehicle systems (navigation, climate control, driver assistance, OTA).
GM points out that the app catalog will grow over time and that access to the Play Store and other app sources will continue to expand. Sterling Anderson, product manager, suggests that they are working to simplify logins and reduce friction when using in-car services.
Timing, scope, and implications for Europe and Spain
The deployment will be progressive: each model renewal will adopt the centralized platform until the transition is complete, with a First major milestone planned for the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028In parallel, the models in circulation that currently support mobile projection will continue to operate as before.
For the European market, the change raises practical questions: Local app compatibility, GDPR privacy and availability of connected services in different countries. In Spain, it's worth looking at the navigation, music, messaging, and integrated payment offerings that will be included in the GM ecosystem, as well as how subscriptions will be managed.
Radio, a hot spot in the EU
One of the most sensitive debates is the presence of radio in the dashboards of the future. The United Kingdom has already legislated to ensure the prominence of radio, while Italy has approved mandatory maintenance of radio reception (FM/DAB+). The sector fears that connected dashboards will lean only toward online radio, abandoning over-the-air reception.
Radioplayer, which brings together large operators, negotiates with the industry to ensuring DAB+ in connected carsEuropean organizations insist that, in the event of emergencies or internet outages, over-the-air radio is a critical service; an aspect that GM's future platform and technology partners in the region must take into serious consideration.
Apps, store and possible closure of the ecosystem
The new model shifts the focus from the smartphone to the vehicle. The key will be whether the system is truly open: If it allows you to freely download apps from the Play Store and expand options over time, or if the catalog is limited by manufacturer and software provider agreements.
GM executives assure that their intention is offer a broad and expanding experience, with more apps and features as the platform matures. However, users who rely heavily on certain mobile apps should check their availability in the car before making a purchase decision.
Costs, data, and the software-defined car
The shift also responds to industrial logic: control the experience from start to finish It makes it easier to optimize performance, security, and over-the-air updates, while also opening the door to new services and subscription models. GM aligns itself with the industry trend toward centralized architectures and software-defined vehicles.
On the competitive front, Tesla and Rivian have never offered CarPlay or Android Auto, while some European manufacturers maintain that Your customers use integrated navigation more than mobile projection. GM's challenge is to make its native alternative as convenient as the experience so many drivers have become accustomed to.
What should the buyer value?
If CarPlay or Android Auto are essential for you, check them out in detail. the list of apps and services available on the new GM and confirms how profiles, logins, and connectivity are managed. Those who already own a compatible vehicle can rest assured: the company says it will not remove this feature from cars that come with it from the factory.
For future buyers, the wisest thing to do is to try the native system and check if it covers navigation well, music services, messaging and assistant in your daily life. The final experience will depend on the quality of the software, service coverage in Spain and Europe, and the evolution of the application catalog.
With this strategy, GM bets on its own ecosystem with integrated AI and complete control of the car's interface. Success will depend on the brand achieving a more fluid experience than mobile projection, addressing European specificities (FM/DAB+ radio, privacy), and meeting the expectations of users who today rely on CarPlay or Android Auto for their connectivity.
