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GM Begins Rollout For Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Back in August of 2019, we posted an opinion piece that outlined just how badly General Motors needs wireless Apple CarPlay. It would appear as though The General agreed, as the automaker is now rolling out the feature with a variety of vehicles for the 2021 model year.

As we exclusively covered earlier this year, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is the first GM model to offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration with this new rollout.

We also know that the feature will be offered with several other models, including:

It’s possible other models not listed above may also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the upcoming 2021 model year. Note that the release of some 2021 GM models have been delayed as a result of disruptions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Indeed, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mark the pinnacle of automotive connectivity. In fact, pairing the new wireless system with inductive phone charging makes it possible for users to have a truly cordless experience in their vehicles.

Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the standard for in-vehicle smartphone support, only a handful of GM’s rivals offer wireless versions of the systems, including BMW, Mini, and Audi. However, a slew of aftermarket automotive companies support the systems, such as JVC, Panasonic, and Pioneer. And with customers growing accustomed to devices automatically connecting to their chosen system without any action on their part, GM looks to be on the right path with regard to in-cabin tech.

Are you a fan of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Is cutting the cord something you’re looking forward to with these upcoming GM models? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for ongoing GM news coverage.

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. what ever happened to the update/download to add Amazon Alexa to GM vehicles starting with 2018 models……

    Reply
    1. Unless you really want to order something from Amazon while you’re driving, Google Assistant is far better

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      1. … you don’t really know what you’re talking about, do ya there Andrea?

        Reply
        1. Who is Andrea?

          Reply
        2. Clearly Andrew, you’re the one that has no clue what you’re talking about….faceplant hard there bud.

          Reply
    2. With my normal Bluetooth connection, even in my 2009 Chevy Equinox, I can speak to Alexa on my Samsung smartphone.

      Reply
  2. Is there a way to upgrade the Apple/Android apps installed before the ’21 models to allow wireless connection?

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  3. Eh I am an old dude all I want is maybe XM radio. But all I will need is to be able to play my music with my USB sticks!

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  4. Need this on my next 2021 GMC Sierra Denali HD please

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  5. I used a wired USB connection from my Samsung Galaxy S10+ to a rented 2018 Chevy Malibu just for charging, and I was pleasantly surprised that Android Auto also worked with no changes. The only difference I did notice was that Google Maps on the Malibu display had lesser resolution.

    Reply
  6. With the wireless charging the wireless connecting to Car-Play is a no brainer.
    Absolutely want it all wireless.
    Please

    Reply
    1. Wireless Car Play and wireless Bluetooth are two totally different things. Wireless Car Play uses Bluetooth to interface with your car’s car play system — currently need to plug in your iPhone using a lightning cable (hardwire) to use Car Play. Wireless charging uses magnetics to charge your phone through the air without hard-wired connections.

      People are overloading the term “wireless”. Wireless is used in both cases for a quick way of describing both get rid of the requirement for cables. Bluetooth in the car eliminates the use of the AUX cable and wireless charging getting rid of use of an actual cable such as the lightning cable for plugging into a USB power source.

      Reply
  7. Not a fan. We keep Siri off for the sake of privacy, but it must be enabled to use CarPlay in the wired version. So, we don’t use CarPlay. I’d prefer simply XM, USB, Bluetooth phone audio, and a good built-in GPS map application. While I’m ranting like an old man, why don’t the auto clocks update with GPS or cell? All this tech and I still have to keep the clock adjusted manually. And, all these dang kids with their loud music!

    Reply
    1. How does your privacy concerns help this conversation?

      Reply
  8. Retro add this to 2019 Blazer RS please!!!

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  9. I don’t care for any phone integration with my vehicle (bluetooth is enough for phone calls). Just give me hard wire connections for my Sony Walkman so I can listen to high fidelity audio. It is disappointing CD players are not included anymore. I hope automakers still make their own interfaces going forward and not rely on the tech world. The tech world is already invasive, so I don’t want them in my car. Well they are if one keeps location services on.

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  10. im glad they are doing it, wireless android auto / carplay is the future. I had this option in my old 2012 camaro with an aftermarket stereo and i loved how all you do is start your car and 30 seconds later android auto shows on your stereo, i traded to a 2018 camaro and sadly no wireless option was available and no aftermarket stereo fits because there’s no dash kits for newer camaros. so hopefully on the 2021 I will trade again.

    Reply
  11. Will need a retro-add for ‘19 Corvette too please!

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  12. where to buy pure cbd oil drops for below the knee amputation in carick

    Reply
  13. They need to retroactively provide this for my 2017 GMC Sierra, apparently it can be done to any car that has WIFI capability as the wireless android auto transfers data over the wifi connection as Bluetooth cannot handle the high traffic from AA.

    Reply
    1. 100% Agree. I’d pay a small fee for this.

      Reply
  14. Rumors of portless iPhones have me worried about wired CarPlay. Will GM provide an update to older cars that have in cabin WiFi?

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  15. Just got a 2021 Blazer and was pleasantly surprised to see that wireless car play was included!

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    1. Wonder if this can be retrofitted back to 2019?

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  16. Blazing sandals did find any tortas or tacos in the back!!!!

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  17. It doesn’t work on my 2021 Yukon XL Denali.

    Has to plug in by usb.

    All talk, no action!

    Reply
  18. Also not available in my 2021 GMC Sierra Elevation X31. But was in the 2021 Chev Silverado Z71 that I test-drove. Consistency would have been nice across the 2021 model years, was that too much to ask?

    BUT, for what it’s worth, the wired connection in the Sierra provided much better audio quality through Apple Car Play than the wireless version in the Z71.

    Reply
    1. I bought a new 2021 Silverado Z71 where the CarPlay would connect wireless to my Apple 10 with the latest IOs software version but quit after about a month. It would connect via cable USB but I had to turn off the bluetooth on the phone. Brought it back to the dealer and they couldn’t get it to work using other employee iPhones. They loaded a new software version on the truck info system but still couldn’t get it to connect wireless. They said they talked with GM Engineering and told me that GM Engineering is working on it. It’s been a month and the dealer said they’re still waiting for a fix from GM. Anyone from GM want to chime in and let me know if this is a common problem and are really working on the problem? Or is this too minor of a problem for GM to worry about ? Right now CarPlay only works via cable connection USB port with the Bluetooth turned off on the iPhone. Dealer tried everything to get it to work wireless.

      Reply
  19. I just bought a 2021 Yukon Denali and the dealer tried to set up wireless Android Auto ….after an hour on with Tech support I told him to forget it….went home hooked it up with a wire ….works fine….wireless does connect BUT will not project unless connected with a wire……hope the figure this out

    Reply
    1. your phone also must support wireless android auto/apple car play. if you have a compatible phone also check your settings in the android auto app on your phone to see if the wireless option is turned on

      Reply
  20. You can buy a wireless CarPlay adapter on Amazon for under $75 so it seems silly that a vehicle manufacture would have to even think about adding this feature to their vehicles. I think we can safely assume that their cost for an item like this in the millions would be negligible to the price of the vehicle.

    Reply

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