This $199 Gadget Brings Apple CarPlay To GM EVs. But There's A Catch

General Motors' decision to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has been controversial. A new third-party device will now instantly give you access to that. Phone mirroring is a bit of a contentious battle in the automotive industry right now. Automakers are increasingly betting that deeply integrated built-in systems are the future, and they do have a point. But millions of drivers love using CarPlay and Android Auto. For them, there's a new workaround.

The device is called the EV Play LT. At a one-time cost of $199, it adds wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac EVs. It's roughly the size of a portable power bank, and the company claims setup takes about two minutes: download an app through the vehicle's built-in Google Play Store, plug into a USB port, and you're done.

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For those who want to go further, there's the EV Play Max at $425. Think of it as turning your infotainment screen into a do-it-all tablet. It supports streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube and includes an HDMI port so you can connect a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation console. Built-in Bluetooth lets you pair a game controller or gaming headphones. Setup is the same simple process as the LT.

Both devices are compatible with the following 2024, 2025, and 2026 model year vehicles: However, another third-party solution in the past unlocked access to CarPlay and Android Auto, but GM reportedly instructed dealers to stop installing it. The makers of EV Play openly acknowledge on their website that GM disabling functionality is "an eventual possibility."

"We would obviously keep up the good fight as long as we could, but ultimately they are in control of their system and customers should accept the fact that GM could eventually disable this," EV Play says in its FAQ section for the device. That's a real risk worth weighing before dropping $199 or $425 on a fix for something GM has made clear it doesn't consider a problem. There is, however, a 30-day return window with a full refund.

Source: insideevs.com