GM keeps CarPlay and Android Auto for one EV despite broader phase-out

General Motors continues its shift away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto toward its own in-house infotainment system, but the company has confirmed one notable exception: the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq EV will keep support for both phone-mirroring platforms.

CEO Mary Barra confirmed last year that GM would extend its removal of CarPlay and Android Auto to gas-powered vehicles as well, building on the decision already applied to its EVs back in 2023. In place of the third-party apps, GM is developing its own infotainment experience, replacing its built-in Google operating system with Google's Gemini AI assistant. The company has said it hopes to roll out a custom AI assistant tailored to vehicle-specific data by the end of 2026.

Why Lyriq is different

The Lyriq will be the only GM EV sold in North America to retain compatibility with both mirroring systems, unlike models such as the Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck and GMC Hummer EV, which lost CarPlay and Android Auto support earlier this year. A Cadillac representative told CarBuzz the decision was based on customer feedback, though it remains unclear why the same reasoning hasn't been applied to other GM models, or whether this signals a broader shift ahead.

In an interview on The Verge's Decoder podcast, Barra said customers had described switching between GM's native system and third-party apps as clunky, and that the company is betting customers will prefer an AI-driven system offering voice commands and other smart features.

At the same time, GM has worked to preserve access to key apps that matter to consumers. In December, the company announced Apple Music would be available on all 2025 and 2026 models, while its new Gemini-powered system provides access to Google Maps and other Google Play Store apps. Drivers of other GM EVs who still want CarPlay or Android Auto can turn to a third-party device called the EV Play LT, priced at $199.99 with no subscription required.