General Motors has decided to make a move in on-board connectivity and remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto of its new cars gradually. The company is looking to unify the digital experience under its own system, with more control over the software, data and services offered to the driver.
For users, this means that, in the coming years, new GM models will focus on native apps and integrations, with over-the-air (OTA) updates and a central architecture which will be rolled out in phases, with key milestones starting in 2026 and a goal of a fully integrated platform by 2028.
What changes for the new models
The cars that are already on the market and offer smartphone projection They will continue with that compatibility, while future releases They will abandon CarPlay and Android Auto. as they adopt the new ecosystem. This strategy, partly initiated with electric vehicles since 2023, It will also extend to combustion as the ranges are updated.
GM's idea is for the car to function as the main device, with a single interface and without needing to mirror the mobile screenThus, navigation, music, and messaging will be channeled through native applications integrated into the vehicle's system.
Why GM is breaking with CarPlay and Android Auto
The company's management argues that switch between platforms It can be somewhat clunky and, at times, introduce distractionsWith its own software, GM aims for a more consistent and safer experience, as well as accelerating the pace of new features without relying on third parties.
There's another key factor: the business model. GM projects growing revenue linked to software and services, with the ambition that the car will be a recurring revenue generator through subscriptions and on-demand upgrades. This vision is gaining traction in an industry where the data and interface control It makes an increasingly bigger difference.
Calendar, models and scope in Europe
The withdrawal will be done in stages: starting in 2026 they will arrive OTA updates These will lay the foundation for the new environment, while the centralized architecture is planned for 2028 across most of the next-generation range. The transition will cover dozens of product lines, with a coordinated rollout throughout the product lifecycle.
In Europe, where GM's commercial presence is more limited than in the United States, the impact will be more limited and variable by countryThis depends on the availability of brands, connected services, and support for solutions like OnStar. In Spain, the effect will largely depend on the local offerings and service compatibility.
The new platform: Ultifi, Android and Gemini
The heart of change is Ulti, an end-to-end platform that operates on the Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP) and enables software-defined functionsdelivered wirelessly. The goal is a faster, more integrated experience with frequent updates, more similar to that of a smartphone.
Ultifi will support cloud profiles so that user configuration can move between different GMIn addition to offering an Android base with access to popular apps and connected services, GM plans to integrate Google Gemini's AI starting in 2026. conversational copilot to manage routes, explain vehicle functions, pre-condition the cabin, and respond to complex requests using natural language.
Privacy and data
The leap towards a smarter car puts privacy front and center. Following recent regulatory scrutiny in the United States, the company insists on a particular approach. privacy-first with clear controls to manage what information the user shares. In Europe, the GDPR establishes additional requirements transparency, consent and guarantees that the brand must fulfill to strengthen trust.
According to GM executives, the system will allow for adjusting the scope of data access by AI and connected services, with activation and revocation options left to the driver's discretion.
Impact on iPhone and Android drivers
With the removal of CarPlay and Android Auto, future models will no longer allow it. directly mirror mobile apps on the car's screen. Instead, the experience will rely on native integrations (navigation, music, messages) and in an assistant that understands more natural commands.
For many users in Spain and Europe, accustomed to the seamless connection between phone and vehicle, a period of adjustment will be necessary. adaptationThe key will be that the GM system offers solid equivalents to the most popular features and usability that doesn't hinder daily use.
Risks and doubts about the plan
The transition is not without risks: if the native software proves less agile or worst ratedThis could affect product perception and even sales of certain models. Comparisons with existing and updated phone solutions will be inevitable.
Another issue is monetization: advanced features powered by AI or connected services could end up in subscription packagesThis is something many drivers view with suspicion. The acceptance of the change will largely depend on how the value (and price) is packaged.
GM's move points to a more car freelance in the digital worldWith conversational AI, over-the-air updates, and greater system integration, if the implementation is sound and support in Europe is consistent, the new approach could offer a smoother and more coherent experience, albeit at the cost of abandoning the mobile projection that so many drivers rely on by heart.
