For years, Apple CarPlay has performed a valuable public service: saving us from having to figure out which infotainment system came with the car.

We’d plug in our iPhones, and our maps, music, messages, and familiar little icons would pop up. No owner's manual required.

But, the relationship between automakers and CarPlay has become complicated.

Some car companies want more control over their dashboards while Apple wants more of the dashboard for itself.

Why GM and Others Are Moving Away From CarPlay

Back in 2023, General Motors decided to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its future EVs in favor of their built-in software with Google services.

The Chevrolet Blazer EV has no CarPlay, for example, meaning drivers can't project the familiar interface from their iPhones.

Part of the reason why manufacturers are ditching CarPlay comes down to integration. 

Modern vehicles, particularly EVs, have systems that go beyond Spotify or directions.

GM's solution uses Android Automotive for its infotainment system. 

Unlike Android Auto, it runs directly in the vehicle and can work with information such as battery range and charging needs without relying on a phone.

Still, taking away a feature drivers have grown rather fond of was never going to be an easy sell.

CarPlay Isn't Going Anywhere Just Yet

Here's where things get interesting.

On September 15th, GM unveiled a new user interface for the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

And CarPlay is very much invited.

GM says its new interface will integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the truck's own software.

The screen can display CarPlay in a large window while keeping native vehicle information nearby.

So, your iPhone still gets a seat at the table. It just doesn't get the whole table.

We Really Love Our CarPlay

GM hasn't been coy about their reason for keeping phone projection in its trucks.

Customers want it.

GM’s Executive Director of Software Product Management, Michael Wahlstrom, said the company heard from customers who liked CarPlay and Android Auto, but also wanted access to their vehicles' built-in features.

GM's answer was to combine the two experiences.

Apple says CarPlay is now available in more than 800 vehicle models.

At this point, plenty of us don't think of CarPlay as a fancy extra. It's simply what we expect when the phone connects.

Automakers Have Good Reasons to Want Their Screens Back

Of course, GM removing Apple CarPlay from some vehicles isn't just about having strong feelings about app icons.

Built-in software can communicate directly with the systems that control the battery range, charging, cameras, driver assistance, climate settings, and more.

There's also the question of who controls the digital relationship with the driver.

When we spend most of our time inside Apple's interface, the automaker becomes considerably less visible on its own screen.

And, in an era of connected services, subscriptions, and mountains of vehicle data, that screen has become valuable territory.

The Data Part Gets a Little Awkward

Giving manufacturers more control also means trusting them with more information.

In January 2026, the FTC finalized an order settling allegations that GM and OnStar had collected and sold customers' geolocation and driving-behavior information without their consent.

The order includes a five-year ban on providing specific driver data to consumer reporting agencies and additional consumer controls.

So, there's another perfectly reasonable question riding shotgun.

Who gets the data?

Apple Wants More of the Dashboard

Apple isn't exactly retreating.

Apple's CarPlay Ultra arrived in 2025, beginning with Aston Martin, and goes much further than traditional CarPlay.

It can provide information on multiple displays, including the instrument cluster, while incorporating vehicle information such as the speed, fuel level, temperature, and tire pressure.

Drivers can also control features like the radio and the climate system from CarPlay.

Apple says Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are some of the automakers working to bring CarPlay Ultra to future vehicles.

While some carmakers have been trying to reclaim the dashboard, Apple has kept its eye firmly on the gauges.

Your Next Car May Come Down to the Screen

We're probably not heading toward a universal answer.

GM's newer EV strategy moved away from phone projection, while its 2027 Silverado and Sierra are getting a redesigned system that works with it.

For drivers, that's worth noting before we buy a car.

We already compare fuel economy, safety features, cargo space, and whether the cup holder can accommodate the extra-large beverage we've become emotionally attached to.

Now, we may need to add one more question to the test drive.

What happens when I plug in my phone?

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