General Motors is keeping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support in one of its vehicles, the 2027 Cadillac Lyriq, despite its broader push to phase out those phone mirroring systems across its electric and gas-powered lineup. The luxury electric SUV will be the only GM EV sold in North America that remains compatible with both infotainment platforms, according to a report. This decision stands in contrast to other GM EVs, such as the Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck and GMC Hummer EV, which lost access to CarPlay and Android Auto earlier this year.
GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed last year that the company would drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its gas-powered vehicles, building on its earlier decision to remove them from EVs in 2023. The company is replacing its built-in Google operating system with Google鈥檚 AI assistant, Gemini. In an April press release, GM said it aims to deliver a custom-built AI assistant, fine-tuned with proprietary vehicle data to anticipate driver needs, by the end of 2026.
A Cadillac representative told CarBuzz that the Lyriq kept its phone mirroring capabilities based on customer feedback. The reasoning raises questions about why that logic did not extend to other GM models, and whether the Lyriq represents a one-off exception or a signal of future policy. GM executives have defended the overall transition, arguing it will produce a stronger product. Barra said in a podcast interview that customer feedback indicated moving between GM鈥檚 in-house system and third-party apps was clunky.
GM is betting that drivers will prefer an AI-driven system with voice commands and smart features, including route planning, curated entertainment, hands-free texting, and streaming applications. To ease the transition, GM has worked to add popular non-native apps to its platform. In December of last year, GM announced that Apple Music would be available on its in-car software for all 2025 and 2026 models, with a company vice president describing it as an expansion of built-in entertainment choices. The new Gemini-powered system also provides access to Google Maps and other apps from the Google Play Store.
For owners of non-Lyriq GM EVs who still want phone mirroring, a third-party device offers a workaround. The EV Play LT, priced at $199.99 with no subscription fees, delivers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality to GM infotainment systems that lack them, including those in Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac EVs. The product supports both wired and wireless mirroring.
The broader industry trend away from CarPlay and Android Auto has drawn criticism from consumers who see it as a move toward subscription models and data collection. GM executives have framed the shift as a way to deliver a more seamless and functional in-car experience. With the Lyriq retaining third-party support, the company is balancing that strategy with at least one model that responds directly to owner demand.
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