After laying off hundreds of engineers, GM is bringing back Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that the company once said it will never
General Motors (GM) is bringing back Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Three years after deciding to remove smartphone connectivity features from its vehicles, the largest American automaker is finally bringing them back. The reversal comes after a period of major cost-cutting, including layoffs affecting hundreds of engineers and the deployment of collaborative robots at its Factory Zero plant in Michigan. In June, the company also deployed 50 “cobots” at the Michigan plant to work alongside employees on production tasks.In 2023, GM announced that it would phase out CarPlay and Android Auto from its electric vehicles in favour of its own software. CEO Mary Barra later said the company would eventually drop the technologies from all GM vehicles. Now, GM has changed course, and its new infotainment system will bring both features back, starting with the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
How GM is bringing back Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
GM has announced a new infotainment system that will debut in its 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The system has been redesigned based on customer feedback and includes a new interface, high-contrast display hardware and a reworked home screen.It will also support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. GM says the system will eventually “[expand] across the broader portfolio”, meaning the two smartphone features are expected to return to more vehicles after the initial rollout.
Why GM changed its decision
GM’s decision to bring back CarPlay and Android Auto comes after the company previously moved in the opposite direction. In 2023, the automaker announced that it would stop offering the technologies in its EVs. By late 2025, Barra said the plan would extend to all GM vehicles.The change also comes as customers have continued to show demand for smartphone-based infotainment. According to an American Trucks study, 55% of Apple CarPlay users said its absence would be a dealbreaker when buying a new car. Among Android Auto users, the figure was 36%. Among GM owners, 42% said losing either technology would be a no-go.
CarPlay will not replace GM’s entire system
GM’s implementation will be different from systems where CarPlay or Android Auto can take over most of the vehicle’s display. Instead, the smartphone interface will appear as a smaller card within the screen. This leaves space for vehicle information such as trip details and trailer status. A persistent climate bar will also remain visible.“People really like CarPlay and Android Auto because they’re so user-centric,” said GM software boss Mike Wahlstrom. “We heard from customers that they want that same simplicity while still having quick access to everything their vehicle can do… We want customers to feel like they’re interacting with a single experience rather than moving from room to room inside a house.”
Google apps will remain available
GM’s own system will continue to offer built-in Google apps separately from CarPlay and Android Auto. This means drivers can use Google Maps without connecting a smartphone. Passengers can also access apps such as Disney+ through the vehicle’s entertainment system.The new software will support over-the-air updates, allowing GM to deliver security and software improvements without a dealership visit.
