It’s a changing of the guard for in-car infotainment in late 2025. General Motors has officially dropped Android Auto from all its new electric vehicles, pushing drivers toward its ambitious new Gemini-based AI system. With the automotive tech world at a crossroads, the move underscores a growing trend among major automakers to bring the dashboard experience back in-house—putting a clamp on third-party platforms like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that have dominated for years.
The End of Android Auto—At Least in GM EVs
General Motors isn’t holding back. After first signaling its intentions, the automaker has now fully removed Android Auto integration in its latest electric vehicles. Instead, GM is betting on its proprietary Gemini AI system to deliver navigation, voice controls, music streaming, and even audiobooks, all directly through the car—as opposed to the “bring-your-own-app” approach. This makes GM one of the first big U.S. automakers to fully shift away from Google and Apple’s infotainment dominance, a move that’s left Android loyalists scrambling for alternatives and app-based workarounds.
This push for internal control isn’t limited to GM. Both Rivian and Tesla have famously charted their own infotainment courses so far, declining to support Android Auto or CarPlay for years. The biggest shock, however, came in November 2025, when Tesla reversed course: Elon Musk’s company announced it would begin adding Apple CarPlay support, responding to long-standing demand among Tesla drivers who shelled out over $1,000 for the latest iPhones only to find a less-than-ideal integration.
Smart Infotainment Wars: Who Owns the Dashboard?
The battle is about more than driver convenience. Automakers prefer in-house solutions to better control user data, advertising, and ongoing services—while drivers and passengers just want the familiar apps and seamless experience they’ve grown used to. Ford, for now, is trying to have it both ways by maintaining Android Auto compatibility on some models while improving its own system.
Despite their uncertain future, Android Auto apps remain some of the most essential tools for drivers—Google Maps, GasBuddy, Fuelio, and entertainment apps like TuneIn Radio keep road-trippers wired in. Pro tip: For users sticking with Android Auto, a wired charger helps keep your phone cool and the connection stable, as wireless charging can overheat your phone during long drives, especially when running multiple apps. Simple tricks like air-vent phone holders and regularly closing unused apps can make a noticeable difference in performance.
With automakers increasingly bringing infotainment tech under their own roofs—and Tesla making a U-turn with CarPlay—2025 seems to mark the end of universal “bring your phone” compatibility. From Gemini’s AI-powered dashboard to dedicated subscription services, your next car’s brain may look less like your smartphone and more like the automaker’s vision of the digital future.
