Why Some 2016 GM Vehicles Don’t Have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

Genuine OEM GM Replacement HMI Module – Pre-Programmed Plug-and-Play Unit for 2013–2020 Vehicles
Posted on by WAMS Tech Notes Posted in HMI / Infotainment SystemsTagged , , , , ,

Many GM vehicles built for the 2016 model year were expected to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when equipped with 8″ IO5 or IO6 infotainment systems. However, a significant number of 2016 vehicles do not support these features from the factory.

This is not a defect, a disabled feature, or a dealer programming issue. It is the result of a documented 2016 hardware split inside General Motors.

This Tech Note explains why this happened, how to identify if your vehicle is affected, and what the correct OEM-level solution is for 2016 vehicles only.

The 2016 Infotainment Hardware Split

2016 was a transition year for GM infotainment systems. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were officially introduced across much of the lineup, GM was forced to continue building some vehicles using earlier infotainment hardware due to component availability.

As a result, some 2016 vehicles:

  • Have IO5 or IO6 infotainment
  • Do not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
  • Were never capable of projection features from the factory

This condition is intentional and documented.

The Key Identifier: RPO Code CPO

The determining factor is RPO Code CPO.

If your 2016 vehicle has RPO CPO, it was built with earlier infotainment hardware that cannot support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, regardless of software version.

No dealer update or firmware flash can enable projection on a CPO vehicle.

What Is an RPO Code?

RPOs (Regular Production Options) are GM’s factory build codes.

For 2016 vehicles, these appear on the Service Parts Identification (SPID) label, which includes the full VIN and option list.

The SPID label is typically located:

  • Inside the glove box, or
  • In the cargo area, sometimes under the spare tire cover

For a detailed walkthrough, see:

How to Read GM RPO / SPID Labels

Why CPO Vehicles Cannot Be Updated

Vehicles built with RPO CPO were assembled using:

  • Earlier-generation infotainment hardware
  • Older radio and HMI combinations
  • Architectures that do not support projection features

Because the limitation is hardware-based, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto cannot be added through software alone.

What If My 2016 Has Apple CarPlay but Is Missing Android Auto?

Some early 2016 vehicles shipped with:

  • Apple CarPlay enabled
  • Android Auto missing

In these cases, the limitation is typically firmware-related, not hardware-related.

If the vehicle is not a CPO application, we can add Android Auto to your HMI.

The Correct 2016-Only Upgrade Path

For non-CPO 2016 vehicles, the OEM-correct solution involves a 2016-specific infotainment upgrade, which may include:

  • Updated GM infotainment hardware appropriate for 2016
  • VIN-specific programming
  • Correct feature configuration for IO5 or IO6
  • Factory-correct firmware packages

This is a direct compatibility correction, not a retrofit or modification.

Summary

If your 2016 GM vehicle does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto:

  • The cause is almost always RPO CPO
  • It is not a software bug
  • It is not a dealer programming issue
  • It is not something that can be enabled remotely

The only determining factor is how the vehicle was built.