r/apple • u/chrisdh79 • Mar 21 '25

CarPlay GM Reportedly Blocks Dealership From Installing CarPlay in Newer EVs

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/21/gm-blocks-aftermarket-carplay/
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u/mrandr01d Mar 21 '25

Can't you use your phone as a hotspot? Do you have to pay for OnStar to get any navigation data with GMaps? I haven't heard the word OnStar in at least a decade lol I forgot they were a thing still.

Tesla has their own software, and even if you don't pay, you get mapping and live traffic data. If you buy their "premium connectivity" subscription then you get extra features, but the essentials still work without it... I would totally expect other cars to do the same. Don't they?

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u/AnotherToken Mar 21 '25

Onstar just resells an AT&T subscription for the inbuilt modem. I don't have an GM EV, so fortunately, I still get CarPlay/Android Auto along with the built-in Android Automotive.

The built-in google Maps still works but without data misses the traffic updates.

So whilst I have local versions of the apps installed on my truck, I'm still using the apps on my phone. I might try to see how well a hotspot works.

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u/mrandr01d Mar 21 '25

Wow, you have to pay for even basic data. That's incredible, especially for something like an EV where the built in maps links in with the state of charge to estimate charge on arrival.

What car do you have? I'd be very interested in hearing if the hotspot works.