For years, connecting your mobile phone to the car and seeing it appear Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on the screen It has been almost synonymous with the modern car. Maps, music, messages, calls, and voice assistants without any hassle. But something is stirring in the industry: more and more manufacturers are preparing to say goodbye to these systems in favor of their own platforms, and the real reason has nothing to do with them not working properly.
While many drivers think that the important thing is to have a large screen with Google Maps, Waze or SpotifyThe major automotive groups are looking further ahead: they want to control the software, the data, and, above all, the business model. This means more power for them within the car and, in many cases, the door open to new subscriptions for features you currently take for granted.
Why manufacturers are considering abandoning Android Auto and CarPlay
The official version that the brands repeat is that they want “Improving user experience and security” with integrated systemsThe argument sounds good: fewer distractions, simpler interfaces, everything designed from the ground up for the car and not for the mobile phone. But, scratching the surface, what really matters is who gets the lion's share of the information and the associated business.
When the car is based on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, it is Google and Apple who collect almost all the data.Real-time location, speed, usual routes, schedules, frequent stops, apps used, time spent on the road… That information is pure gold. for targeted advertising, personalized insurance, tailor-made services, and highly detailed behavioral profiles.
Manufacturers have realized that if they allow mobile phones to control the car, they are putting themselves in a bad position. by transferring the digital relationship with the driver to third partiesThey want to regain that control to offer their own connected services, their own assistants, app stores, and extra packages that they can charge for monthly, without depending on the moves of Apple or Google.
There is also a strategic component: some brands are looking reduce their dependence on external technology companiesIf your entire ecosystem revolves around CarPlay or Android Auto, a policy or commission change by Apple or Google could leave you vulnerable. Investing in native platforms based on Android Automotive, custom forks, or open-source systems like S-Core gives you more flexibility and a competitive edge.
Meanwhile, the sector is moving in the same direction as other markets: televisions with systems such as Vega OS or HarmonyOS They've already shown the way. Something similar is happening in the car industry: creating proprietary systems, keeping the user within a controlled ecosystem, and exploiting usage data for new revenue.
The role of data: from control to subscriptions
As soon as the manufacturer controls the car's operating system, they can measure every detail of how you drive, how much you use certain functions, and what routes you takeThis allows for complex profiling that goes far beyond simply knowing if you listen to Spotify more than FM radio. We're talking about schedules, driving patterns, annual mileage, road types, frequency of refueling, stops at specific shopping centers, and so on.
With that information, brands can launch highly segmented services and even dynamic offersFrom insurance based on your actual behavior to personalized maintenance packages, including recommendations for workshops or "suggested" charging stations that are nothing more than commercial agreements.
The real goldmine, however, lies in the subscriptions linked to features of the car itselfWe have already seen experiments that have generated controversy: Volkswagen considering charging to unlock the engine's full power, BMW trying to monetize heated seats through recurring payments, Mercedes offering acceleration improvements in exchange for a monthly fee, or Polestar with performance packs that are activated by software.
If the manufacturer has full access to your usage habits, they can detect when and how much you are willing to pay. For example, they can offer you a one-month trial of semi-autonomous driving during the holidays...just when you know you're going on a long trip. Or suggest a premium map pack when it detects that you frequently log into areas without data coverage.
The ultimate goal is for features that were previously included (always up-to-date maps, certain advanced driving aids, performance improvements, or comfort features) to become being behind a monthly or annual paywallAnd if the car's system no longer depends on the mobile phone, the user has less choice: either they pay up or they're left with a limited experience on a screen that could do much more.
How will this affect the user experience?
The big concern for many drivers is that, by leaving out Android Auto and CarPlay, the experience gets worse instead of betterAnd this concern is not unfounded. Creating a car operating system from scratch is no trivial matter, and building around it an ecosystem of apps as powerful as those of Google and Apple is even less so.
Today, one of the biggest advantages of Android Auto and CarPlay is the number of compatible applications and how polished they areGoogle Maps, Waze, Spotify, Apple Music, WhatsApp, Telegram, podcasts, audiobooks… All of these work fairly homogeneously regardless of the car brand, and are updated at the pace of the technology companies themselves, not at the pace of traditional manufacturers.
If each brand releases its own platform, software companies will have to adapt your apps to several different systemsGM's system based on Android Automotive with Gemini, Hyundai and Kia's systems with their layers on top of Android Automotive (like Pleos Connect), Tesla's ecosystem, BMW's S-Core, Mercedes and Volkswagen with their customizations, Rivian's solutions… Development and maintenance are complicated, so not all apps will reach all cars.
Added to this are the doubts about the updates and long-term supportGoogle and Apple frequently update their car platforms, fixing bugs, adding features, and improving safety. It's far from certain that all manufacturers will maintain that pace or update older models with the same enthusiasm.
The risk is ending up with a fragmented landscape where two high-end cars offer radically different experiencesOne with a decent app store and a smooth system, and another with a clunky interface, few apps, on-screen ads, and navigation worse than the mobile phone you carry in your pocket.
The most prominent examples: Tesla, GM, BMW, Hyundai and company
There are manufacturers that have already shown that it is possible to live without Android Auto or CarPlay. Tesla and Rivian have been betting on 100% proprietary platforms for years.With meticulously crafted interfaces, deep vehicle integration, and a host of connected features, it works for them because they designed the entire ecosystem from the ground up with that model in mind.
The case that's generating the most buzz lately is that of General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Buick, Hummer…)GM has confirmed that it will gradually phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in both its electric vehicles and, later, its combustion engine vehicles. The plan is to migrate to a centralized platform based on Android Automotive, without smartphone projection, with strong support for the Google's Gemini AI.
Mary Barra, CEO of GM, explains that Switching between the car's native system and CarPlay can be clunky and distracting.And that an integrated system, independent of the mobile phone, simplifies things. Scott Miller, head of software-defined vehicles, insists that customers want "something better" than Android Auto and CarPlay, with more natural conversational assistants and a setup that recognizes you as soon as you get in the car.
In practice, GM promises access to well-known apps like Google Maps, Spotify, or even Apple Wallet directly from the car's system, without needing to connect your phone. The transition will be gradual: models that already have CarPlay and Android Auto will retain that function, while future releases will come without smartphone projection and with the new platform integrated.
In Europe, GM's move has a limited short-term effect because The group stopped operating directly in Spain when it sold Opel to the PSA GroupGM, now part of Stellantis, is following its own roadmap and, for now, maintains CarPlay and Android Auto in models like the Corsa, Astra, Crossland, and Grandland. But GM's move could serve as an example for other major manufacturers if the numbers work out well for them.
The strategy of German brands and the role of S-Core
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have opted for a different path but with a similar objective: take control of the car's operating system Instead of leaving it in the hands of Google or Apple, they have joined forces in an open-source project called Safety Open Vehicle Core, or S-Core.
S-Core is, simply put, a basic infrastructure on which each brand will build its own layerThe interface, specific functions, integration with their assistants, etc., are all part of the development process. The system is being published on GitHub, with a release schedule that, so far, is being met. From there, BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen will customize the experience to make their system look and feel like their own.
The open source approach allows more technology providers to contribute, which theoretically can accelerate development and improve security and interoperability. However, the question remains: will these platforms manage to match the level of polish and the app catalog? that today have Android Auto and CarPlay. The fact that it's open source doesn't mean that all the apps people want will suddenly appear.
At the same time, these brands have experimented with pay-per-feature models: BMW tested charging for the use of heated seatsThis generated enormous backlash and forced them to backtrack. Mercedes has flirted with paid acceleration upgrades, and Volkswagen with unlocking extra power through paid upgrades. S-Core and the systems built upon it are the perfect foundation for further exploring these kinds of approaches.
Android Automotive: the “secret weapon” to make the change less traumatic
Faced with the reverse gear issue in Android Auto, many manufacturers are turning to Android Automotive as an integrated alternativeUnlike Android Auto, which relies on the mobile phone, Android Automotive runs directly in the car: it is the infotainment unit's own operating system.
This offers an interesting combination for brands: on the one hand, they can customize the system interface and behavior To differentiate themselves (colors, menus, app layout, integration with vehicle functions); on the other hand, they rely on a familiar platform and the huge Android developer base.
Manufacturers like Volvo and Renault use it as main platform in their carsAnd in some cases, they allow direct access to the Play Store to install car-specific apps. The experience is quite similar to Android Auto, but without needing to take your phone out of your pocket, pair it, or connect it with a cable.
Hyundai is one of the latest to join this trend with its Pleos Connect system, based on Android Automotive and designed for models like the Hyundai ioniq 3which will arrive on the market from 2026. The first leaks show a large central screen, inspired by Tesla's minimalist philosophy, where several applications can be divided: navigation, climate control, vehicle control, music, etc.
For manufacturers, Android Automotive solves a key problem: with Android Auto the driver got virtually the same experience regardless of the brandAnd it was Google that was reaping the lion's share of the data's value. With systems based on Automotive, they continue to leverage the Android ecosystem but can direct the flow of data, personalize advertising, design their service store, and build their own digital identity within the car.
Brands that swim against the current: the case of Ford
Not all manufacturers want to break with Android Auto and CarPlay. Ford has taken advantage of GM's moves to position itself right on the other sideIts chief financial officer, Sherry House, has been very clear: the company will continue to offer the possibility of connecting your mobile phone and using both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its cars.
In a conference with investors, House stressed that one of Ford's priorities is “giving customers options and giving them access to technology”without forcing them into a single interface or a single system. He insisted that it's a topic he's personally passionate about and that the brand is committed to maintaining compatibility with the systems people already know and want.
These statements align with what the company's CEO, Jim Farley, had already said years earlier: Ford “lost that battle 10 years ago” And it makes no sense to try to force users to use only their software when the de facto standard is to connect the mobile device. Instead of fighting that reality, they prefer to live with it.
Ford's stance contrasts with that of General Motors, which was the first major manufacturer to announce that It would stop offering Android Auto and CarPlay in its future models.Using road safety and distractions as the main justification, many drivers reacted strongly: they threatened to switch brands if they couldn't continue connecting their phones to their cars.
Ford has cleverly used GM's "unforced error" to its advantage, sending a clear message: if you want to continue using CarPlay and Android Auto without any issues, their cars will remain a safe bet. It's a marketing ploy, but also a very pragmatic understanding of what users truly value in their daily lives.
Restrictions, older phones, and the future of Android Auto
While all this is happening in cars, Google is also making its own adjustments. The company had announced some time ago that Android Auto would no longer be compatible with phones that remain on Android 8.0 Oreo, requiring at least Android 9.0 Pie to continue using the service on car screens.
That transition was postponed in practice, allowing many older devices to continue working with Android Auto longer than expected. With the arrival of versions like Android Auto 15.5 in betaGoogle has begun to really apply the compatibility cut-offSo some Android 8 phones will no longer be able to project the interface in the car when the app is updated.
For users still using a device with Android 8, the options are limited: Check if there is an official update to Android 9 or higher.This could be in case the phone manufacturer discontinued support, or you might consider upgrading to a newer device. There's no official way to continue using Android Auto in your car if the app becomes incompatible with your system version.
The good news is that Android 8 is already a very old system and Most mobile phones in circulation are above that versionSo the actual impact will be relatively small in terms of affected users. But the move clearly illustrates where it's all headed: platforms advancing, requirements increasing, and devices being left behind.
Meanwhile, Google continues to push another path: Bringing Android to the car itself with Automotive and boosting the integration of Gemini AI within manufacturers' infotainment systems. The future lies less in "connecting your phone" and more in having a car that comes with everything already integrated and, if possible, with a conversational assistant that knows more about you than many of your contacts.
All this movement by brands to push out Android Auto and CarPlay doesn't exactly point to great progress for the average driver, but rather to a power shift within the car: brands want to take control of the software, the data, and the subscriptions, even if it means worse interfaces, fragmented ecosystems, and features that used to be standard now paid extras. The best scenario for the user will be one in which manufacturers manage to balance this desire for control with truly polished systems, open to the apps people already use, and without falling into the temptation of turning every button on the dashboard into a recurring charge.
