GM Enhances Truck Software for Seamless CarPlay Integration
General Motors is enhancing the software experience in its top-selling trucks to minimize the need for distracting taps and swipes to access frequently used controls. The update also introduces fresh picture-in-picture displays for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a significant shift considering GM’s earlier resistance to phone mirroring in its electric vehicles.
When the next-gen interface launches with the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 later this year, drivers will notice several upgrades. These include sleek new graphics for the advanced driver-assist system, smooth animated transitions between displays, and streamlined layouts for essential truck functions like trailering and off-roading. All of this will be showcased on over 60 inches of screen space—combining the instrument cluster, central display, and passenger screen—designed to enhance the driving experience without overwhelming it.
For GM, bigger screens don’t mean more distractions. Instead, the company sees the extra space as a chance to present information more intelligently and enlarge interactive elements. Colin McCormick, group product manager for Google built-in, projection, and profiles at GM, noted that larger buttons and tap zones make the system easier to use, especially in challenging driving conditions. “The buttons can be larger and make it easier to do,” he explained, highlighting the difficulties of tapping small zones while navigating bumpy roads.
While there are still plenty of physical buttons for key functions like HVAC, controlling airflow now brings up a new flyout menu. GM recognizes that customers appreciate physical controls, so they’re cautious about moving essential functions to the screen just because there’s more space. Some previously tangible tools, like the oil dipstick, have transitioned to a digital format on the truck’s status screen, but most physical touchpoints remain intact.
Taking cues from smartphone design, GM has introduced a swipe-down notification interface for quick access to functions like switching connected devices, adjusting settings, and managing privacy controls. For instance, truck owners can disable the vehicle’s microphone directly from this interface. The new layout also differentiates between settings, which users may adjust infrequently, and controls that might require more regular tweaks.
To address concerns about the existing interface feeling disjointed, GM has designed the new system to avoid taking over the entire display for various functions. Instead, displays like the media player can stay visible while additional panels slide in from the side. This use of animated transitions aims to create a more cohesive experience when switching between functions.
Recognizing that many truck owners frequently tow trailers, GM has focused on enhancing that experience with the new software. Trailering information will now be visible in both the driver information display and a smaller homescreen card. The trucks will feature built-in trailer-aware navigation, allowing the vehicle to identify a connected trailer and provide routes that accommodate its dimensions. Customers can input trailer measurements, which can be saved and transferred across vehicles through their GM account.
The most noticeable changes for Chevy and GMC truck owners will likely come when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Engineers aimed to use the additional screen space wisely, ensuring that phone projection doesn’t completely overshadow the truck’s native infotainment system. The solution is a picture-in-picture setup, where CarPlay and Android Auto occupy a contextual card rather than taking over the entire screen. When a phone connects via CarPlay, the phone icon transforms into a CarPlay icon; selecting it opens CarPlay within that card. Pressing the native home button returns the driver to the split-screen view, allowing access to Apple’s apps while still being able to view native GM functions like trailering information.
This new layout is particularly intriguing given GM’s controversial decision in 2023 to eliminate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its electric vehicles. Despite customer pushback, GM has maintained that it can provide a superior software experience without phone mirroring. CEO Mary Barra even hinted that this ban might extend to gas-powered trucks and SUVs, though she later retracted that statement.
As a result, GM has adjusted the appearance of CarPlay and Android Auto in its trucks to allow the native GM software experience to shine through. Phone projection will no longer dominate the screen, which McCormick argues previously forced drivers to toggle back and forth to access their truck’s native controls. This way, truck owners can project their phone while still accessing vital information like trailering or off-roading details.
“I think we’re landing in a spot where… we don’t have a customer that has to decide, ‘Oh, I’m going to use projection, or, oh, I want to use the native system,’” McCormick stated. “That’s our sweet spot.”
The new user interface will be available for new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks later this year, but only for new customers. Existing owners will continue with the previous-generation experience. The intention was to launch the new interface on GM’s most popular trucks rather than starting with lower-volume models, which is typically the approach for new experiences. GM is confident in the system’s potential, aiming to reach as many customers as possible with its best-selling trucks.
With nearly 900,000 of these trucks sold annually, GM anticipates receiving significant feedback once the new interface is live. Some features may perform exceptionally well, while others might require adjustments. “We’ll take that experience, and the OTAs will allow us to get there,” McCormick concluded.
