GM adds over 200 new apps to its cars with Google built-in

At a glance:

• GM is adding support for over 200 new apps to vehicles running its Cars with Google built-in platform.
• Driver‑screen apps such as a basketball shoot‑hoops game, chess, and solitaire are usable only when the car is parked.
• Passenger‑screen streaming services (Disney Plus, Hulu, Tubi, YouTube) and forthcoming music/podcast apps (Spotify, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music) work while parked and, for passengers, while cruising; the rollout began immediately and apps will appear in Google Play under a new "car compatible apps" section.

What the update brings

General Motors decided last year to drop Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in favor of its own centralized infotainment built on Google’s Cars with Google built-in platform, which runs the Android Automotive operating system directly on the vehicle’s hardware. The move was part of GM’s strategy to reduce reliance on smartphone projection and create a unified software experience across its brands. By treating the car as a standalone computing platform, GM can push updates and new services directly to the hardware.

Previously only a slim slice of the Google Play Store catalog was compatible with Android Automotive, limiting GM owners to a handful of native apps. The new influx of over 200 titles changes that dynamic, bringing mainstream entertainment and productivity tools to the dashboard. For the first time, GM drivers and passengers can access popular streaming services, casual games, and music apps without needing to pair a phone.

Where the apps appear

On the driver side, the new catalog is rolling out to select 2024‑or‑newer Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC models equipped with Cars with Google built-in. Examples of the available driver‑screen apps include a basketball game where you can shoot hoops, chess, and solitaire. For safety these launch only when the vehicle is stationary, preventing distraction while driving.

Passenger and rear‑seat screens gain access in select 2025‑or‑newer GM vehicles such as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, Cadillac Escalade and Celestiq, GMC Yukon, and other listed models. Here occupants can stream video from Disney Plus, Hulu, Tubi, YouTube, and similar services. Music and podcast support for Spotify, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music is promised to arrive soon, expanding the in‑car entertainment options further.

How to get the apps

The update is delivered over‑the‑air; once it reaches a vehicle, the new titles appear automatically in the Google Play store under a freshly added "car compatible apps" section. Owners should watch for that label to know when the expansion is live in their specific car. GM recommends checking the store periodically, as the rollout is staged and individual models may receive the update at different times.

Although the rollout has begun, GM cautions that it may take several weeks for the full set of 200+ apps to propagate to every eligible vehicle, so drivers should periodically check the store for fresh arrivals. The staggered approach helps manage server load and ensures a smooth user experience as the new catalog scales. Early adopters have already reported seeing the basketball shoot‑hoops game and chess appear on their driver displays within days of receiving the OTA update.