GM Removes CarPlay Support from Its Cars, Calls It a ‘Steve Jobs Move’

General Motors (GM) is doubling down on its decision to remove Apple CarPlay from more of its vehicles, including future gas-powered models. The company’s top executives recently defended the controversial choice in an interview on Nilay Patel’s Decoder podcast, drawing a surprising comparison to Steve Jobs’ approach to technology.

GM Says Dropping CarPlay Is Inspired by Steve Jobs

GM’s Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson described the move as a “very Jobsian approach,” likening it to Apple’s removal of the CD drive years ago. He argued that just as Apple transitioned users toward flash storage, GM is leading drivers toward a more integrated in-car experience without relying on phone projection.

“The removal of the disk drive, nobody liked that,” Anderson said. “But [Jobs] said, ‘Flash storage is the future. Get on board.’ That’s kind of what we’re saying here.”

Anderson claimed that CarPlay functions like a phone mirroring app, a temporary bridge that limits what modern in-car systems can do. He said GM wants to deliver a system that offers deeper integration with navigation, music, and even EV charging, without needing to project apps from an iPhone.

GM Plans To Remove CarPlay From Gas Cars Too

Until now, GM had only removed CarPlay support from its electric vehicles. CEO Mary Barra confirmed that this policy will expand to future gas-powered cars as well, stating that the company aims for a consistent software experience across its entire lineup.

“As we get to a major rollout, that’s the right expectation,” Barra said.

This means even traditional models like the Chevrolet Malibu or GMC Sierra could lose CarPlay in future updates or redesigns.

GM Promises Apple Wallet Car Key Integration

Despite distancing itself from CarPlay, Barra emphasized that GM’s relationship with Apple remains strong. The company plans to introduce Apple Wallet car key support, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using their iPhone or Apple Watch.

“We have a good relationship with Apple,” Barra said. “We’ll soon have Apple Wallet integration that allows some vehicle functions through that.”

However, when asked about Apple Music, GM said it had “nothing to share right now.”

Why GM Thinks Its Own Software Is the Future

GM believes its in-house infotainment system, built in collaboration with Google, can deliver a richer experience by directly connecting to vehicle features like Super Cruise, EV range data, and maintenance insights. Anderson compared this to using native apps on a laptop instead of mirroring your phone’s screen.

Still, many drivers see CarPlay’s removal as a downgrade, especially since it allows seamless access to iPhone features they already use daily.