GM can’t ‘bring back’ Apple CarPlay because it never left
News Source
•2026-09-21T13:47:54-04:00
📰 What Happened
General Motors showed a new software screen for its upcoming Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks last week. It includes a redesigned version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Some outlets reported that GM was bringing CarPlay back. The Verge says that reading is wrong, because phone mirroring never left GM's petrol-powered trucks.
GM has kept CarPlay out of its electric vehicles for three years. That covers the Chevy Equinox, Blazer and Silverado EVs, several Cadillacs, and the GMC Sierra and Hummer EVs.
🔍 The Backstory
Phone mirroring lets you put your phone's apps on the car's screen. GM instead builds its own system on top of Android, with Google Maps and Gemini built in.
GM chief executive Mary Barra said in October 2025 that the ban would eventually reach petrol models too. Truck and SUV owners reacted badly to that idea.
The new trucks still keep CarPlay and Android Auto, and now add picture-in-picture support. That suggests GM is learning to live with phone projection rather than removing it.
🎯 Why It Matters
Car software is a battleground between car makers and phone makers. Buyers should check what each brand actually offers before they buy.
General Motors showed a new software screen for its upcoming Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks last week. It includes a redesigned version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Some outlets reported that GM was bringing CarPlay back. The Verge says that reading is wrong, because phone mirroring never left GM's petrol-powered trucks.
GM has kept CarPlay out of its electric vehicles for three years. That covers the Chevy Equinox, Blazer and Silverado EVs, several Cadillacs, and the GMC Sierra and Hummer EVs.
Phone mirroring lets you put your phone's apps on the car's screen. GM instead builds its own system on top of Android, with Google Maps and Gemini built in.
GM chief executive Mary Barra said in October 2025 that the ban would eventually reach petrol models too. Truck and SUV owners reacted badly to that idea.
The new trucks still keep CarPlay and Android Auto, and now add picture-in-picture support. That suggests GM is learning to live with phone projection rather than removing it.
Car software is a battleground between car makers and phone makers. Buyers should check what each brand actually offers before they buy.