Major automakers plan to drop Apple CarPlay from new models by 2026

Automakers are increasingly abandoning Apple CarPlay, with General Motors leading the change by removing the service from its latest electric vehicles and planning to phase it out of internal-combustion models once its own computing platform is ready around 2028. The move is driven by a desire for tighter integration between dashboard software and vehicle functions, as well as greater control over driver data and potential subscription revenues.

Apple’s CarPlay Ultra, which expands the system to instrument clusters and vehicle controls, has seen slow uptake, currently limited to Aston Martin and unconfirmed for brands such as Hyundai and Kia. Tesla and Rivian have never offered CarPlay, though Tesla reportedly tested it. The industry is shifting toward native operating systems like Google’s Android Automotive, which runs apps directly on the car without a phone, promising features such as EV-aware navigation. This transition could reshape the in-car experience and reduce reliance on smartphone mirroring.