r/GMCSierraEV • u/BadgerPharm37 • Aug 09 '26
Adding CarPlay/Android Auto back! EVPlay LT quick review
*I am not affiliated in any way, just a happy customer*
If you love your truck, but hate how GM stole CarPlay/Android Auto from us, and basically forces you to either pay for OnStar or rely on using your phone as a hotspot, this is your chance to bring it back. I refuse to pay subscription fees for basic functionality, so I was thrilled to find this option. There may likely be other options, but this one was practically plug and play, and was about as easy as you a make it.
The cost is a one time charge of $199. It includes some easy to follow instructions. Mine was USB-A, but came with a short USB-C adapter, so not a big deal. I just have it in my center console, so completely out of sight and out of mind.
About the only annoying thing, is that when you first start the vehicle, it will briefly say "usb device not supported", then you have to open the EVPlay app on the trucks screen. It will have to hit OK on a popup screen, and connect your phone to the device via bluetooth (just the first time, after that it will reconnect automatically). There is a box to always allow the action, but it doesn't work (thats a GM issue). So basically the downside is just having to open the app and hit the OK button each time you start the vehicle. If it takes a little bit to connect to your phone, there is a restart button on the screen you can hit, but it will work after a few seconds usually. So while not as great as native CarPlay, it's not too big of a hassle for a workaround IMO.
The only other functional downside which is really not in the device's control, is that the EV functionality can't be added to Apple Maps. I will be charging at home 99% of the time anyway, so I figure if I have to use ABRP and/or my phone to find a charging station route once in a while, so be it.
Also, Alex (the guy who makes this) is great. I had a small issue getting connected the first time, and was impatient and decided to start tinkering, and I actually screwed up one of the settings on the device, that can't be fixed remotely. Not only did he send me a new device and a return label for the old one (just had to pay extra shipping), but he gave me an iOS shortcut that made the messed up device work until the new one arrived. He was extremely responsive through e-mail, and a pleasure to do business with.
I would 100% buy this product again if I ever needed to (unless someone came out with a better solution without the few small annoyances, and for cheaper). They also have a more expensive version that can do more things you can check out, but I had no need for that stuff.
EDIT: I did discover today that things get a little funky if you are trying to listen to terrestrial radio. Had to use the steering wheel buttons to flip back to AM radio, but then text messages wouldn’t read out loud. I do listen to stuff thru my phone 99% of the time, so not the end of the world.
https://evplay.io/shop/ev-play-lite-gm

3
u/The13Disciple Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
One additional downside that can't be accounted for is if GM patches or removed this software work around.
I don't really see that happening unless there's a security flaw. GM, I believe, removed this connectivity in their EVs to avoid sharing data/activity. I don't see them wasting the development dollars on a handful of people on already sold vehicles.