Even Internal Combustion Cadillac Models Will Eventually Phase Out Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

The 2014 Ferrari FF was the first production vehicle to feature Apple CarPlay, and the 2015 Hyundai Sonata was the first to have Android Auto. Cadillac itself rolled out both systems on every vehicle for the 2016 model year, except for the SRX, which was replaced by the XT5 later on that same year. Since the debut of the advanced phone projection tech, many consumers have adapted to the use of the super convenient and easy-to-use features. Now, after about a decade of prominence, Cadillac is phasing out the use of both subsystems in favor of its own proprietary infotainment platform built in conjunction with Google.

The change is going to be implemented across the luxury marque’s entire model lineup. We already knew this was the case for Cadillac battery electric models, but the luxury marque has also officially confirmed the same change will also apply to models with internal combustion engines, too. Notably, all gasoline-powered Cadillacs currently offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but no Cadillac EV offers either one, with Cadillac Lyriq range being the sole exceptions.

It’s currently unclear whether the Lyriq will continue to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability for the 2027 model year, or how much longer customers can expect ICE-powered Cadillac models to feature the tech. That said, parent company General Motors did provide us with the following statement:

“We are not making any changes to existing vehicles. If your car supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, that will continue. Both will remain available in all GM gas-powered vehicles for the foreseeable future. As we advance toward our centralized computing platform, we’ll gradually move to a better, more deeply integrated experience – a direction the broader industry is taking as vehicles become more software-defined. This will happen over time, not overnight. We value our collaboration with Apple and Google and remain focused on delivering experiences customers love.”

That “deeply integrated experience” is a nod to Cadillac’s plans to implement a centralized computing platform, set to launch on the all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028 (shown in the image above). The new software will control every aspect of the vehicle. Although the first implementation is set to take place within the next two years, it’ll be quite a bit longer until the technology finds its way to every Cadillac model.

In short, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will remain in Cadillacs already delivered to owners, and buyers can still find new Cadillac vehicles equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto today (for models with internal combustion engines as well as the Lyriq). But at some point in the future, new Cadillac models will no longer offer either of the two smartphone projection technologies.