General Motors is making a major shift in the The way the mobile phone connects to the carThe group has begun rolling out Apple Music natively in several of its models, but is maintaining its plan to minimize the presence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The idea is for the vehicle to become a connected device in its own right, without relying so heavily on the iPhone.
With this move, drivers of certain Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles will be able to Listen to Apple Music directly from your car's screenWireless, without having to mirror your phone's screen, and without using your phone's data plan for the first few years. This initiative strengthens GM's own digital ecosystem, supported by the OnStar Basics telematics platform, which the company is already rolling out to various markets, including Europe.
Apple Music arrives at GM as a native app without CarPlay
GM has confirmed that it is activating a native Apple Music app in your infotainment systemThis allows access to the music streaming service without needing to connect an iPhone or use CarPlay. After an over-the-air (OTA) software update, the Apple Music icon appears directly on the car's main interface.
Integration relies on integrated vehicle connectivity through OnStar Basics, the group's connected services platform. This means that music playback starts almost as soon as the driver gets into the car, using the vehicle's own data connection instead of relying on a mobile phone or a shared connection.
From the central screen, the user can log into their account and manage playlists, albums, stations, and personalized recommendations with an experience very similar to that of other devices where you already use Apple Music. Furthermore, the app integrates with the car's physical controls and voice assistant, making it possible to control playback without taking your hands off the wheel.
GM frames this launch as a expansion of integrated entertainment options in its cars, in line with its strategy of gradually phasing out mobile mirroring platforms. The manufacturer argues that, by having complete control over the software, it can offer a more seamless experience across navigation, sound, connected services, and driver assistance features.
In the case of some Cadillac models, the arrival of Apple Music is accompanied by Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos compatibilityCombined with high-end sound systems, such as configurations with more than twenty speakers, the aim is to generate an immersive sound environment, specifically adapted to the vehicle's interior.
Compatible models and deployment via over-the-air update
The rollout of Apple Music without CarPlay is currently focused on Cadillac and Chevrolet models from the 2025 and 2026 rangesboth electric and combustion-engine vehicles. Among the vehicles mentioned by the company are the Cadillac CT5, the electric Escalade IQ and Vistiq, as well as the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV, in addition to full-size SUVs like the Corvette, Tahoe or Suburban with internal combustion engines.
In these cars, the app is activated through a Over-the-air (OTA) software update sent by GMThis way, the driver doesn't have to go to the workshop. The system typically notifies you that an update is available and requests confirmation to install it with the vehicle stopped; once the process is complete, Apple Music appears integrated into the main menu.
The company has indicated that Buick and GMC will join in a later phase.This suggests that the solution will eventually be rolled out across much of the group's range. In 2025 and later models sold in the United States and Canada, access to the app is part of the OnStar Basics package, which will also be key in other markets where equivalent versions are sold.
For European users, and particularly for those closely following these developments from Spain, the key point will be in How GM adapts OnStar and its connected services offering to regulations, mobile networks, and local agreements. Although the initial rollout is focused on North America, the strategy of relying on native software and remote updates is destined to be gradually replicated in Europe, where the connected car is becoming established as a standard.
This method of incorporating features via over-the-air update allows for cars that have already been sold to be updated. Gain new capabilities without going through the dealershipThis is especially relevant in a context where many manufacturers are starting to link software improvements to digital service packages.
OnStar Basics: included data for streaming music
One of the pillars of this strategy is OnStar Basics, GM's connected services packageThis technology not only supports emergency communications and vehicle telematics, but also audio streaming. The company has indicated that, in eligible 2025 and later models in the United States and Canada, the connectivity needed to play music and podcasts will be included at no additional cost for up to eight years.
This means that the owners of these cars will be able to Listen to Apple Music, Spotify, and other compatible audio apps. Without worrying about using up your phone's data allowance, as long as you use the vehicle's built-in connection. Audio streaming is considered a standard service within the package, which aims to encourage the use of the native system instead of a mobile device.
Looking at Europe, this type of proposal could be particularly interesting in countries where, despite improved data rates, Users continue to monitor their monthly consumptionIf GM brings a similar offer to the Old Continent, having several years of included data for streaming could become a compelling argument in the purchase decision.
From the manufacturer's perspective, grouping access to these apps under OnStar allows them to maintain a direct relationship with the customer and obtain usage informationThis is key to adjusting future system improvements and exploring new digital payment services once the promotional periods end.
In practice, the car starts to behave like a connected device further within the user ecosystemwhere your Apple Music playlists, favorites, and recommendations automatically accompany you, without needing to configure your smartphone on each journey or rely on wired connections.
Apple Music yes, CarPlay no: the bet on proprietary software
The arrival of native Apple Music in GM vehicles cannot be understood without context: the company has been working on this for some time. gradually removing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto of its new models, especially in the electric range. The group's management has argued that its proprietary platform, developed in collaboration with Google, allows for deeper integration with the car's functions than phone mirroring interfaces.
This decision, which started with electric vehicles and will extend to new generations of combustion modelsThis has generated controversy among drivers accustomed to connecting their phones and seeing the same iOS or Android interface on the car's screen. GM has insisted that combustion engine vehicles that already offer CarPlay or Android Auto will not lose these features through future updates.
By incorporating Apple Music directly into the system, the brand is trying soften the impact of CarPlay's disappearanceThis offers at least native access to one of the most popular services in the Apple ecosystem. However, the interface, menus, and operating logic are those of GM's software, not the iPhone's.
In parallel, the manufacturer is strengthening its ecosystem with other connected tools, such as the compatibility with Apple Wallet and digital keys In certain models, you can unlock and start the car with your iPhone or Apple Watch. In addition, it was announced that, starting in 2026, some vehicles will integrate a voice assistant based on Google's Gemini artificial intelligence.
All of this points to a scenario in which GM's multimedia system is consolidated as a closed platform but highly connected to external servicesIn this system, the car offers access to Apple Music, mobile payments, remote functions, and conversational assistants, but without relying on the classic smartphone projection via CarPlay or Android Auto.
Improved sound quality and onboard experience
Beyond simply making the app available, GM is emphasizing the sound quality and onboard user experienceIn Cadillac models with high-end audio systems, Apple Music is accompanied by support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, a technology that attempts to recreate a three-dimensional sound environment around the occupants.
This commitment to immersive audio relies on speaker configurations distributed throughout the cabin and a specific acoustic tuning, with the aim of achieving a concert hall feeling inside the carFor drivers who spend many hours behind the wheel or who particularly value music, this can be a significant difference compared to other more basic systems.
Playback can be controlled both from the touch screen and via voice commands through the vehicle's integrated assistantThis reduces the need to handle the phone. This logic aligns with road safety requirements in Europe, where regulators are increasingly scrutinizing phone use while driving.
In everyday use, the fact that the music starts automatically as soon as the ignition is turned on and that the playlists are kept synchronized with the user's account is a plus. It brings the experience closer to using a smart speaker or a smart TV.but adapted to the car environment and the particularities of driving.
For manufacturers, this type of integration also offers room for package services and generate recurring revenue through subscription when the initial periods with included data conclude, a model that the automotive industry is beginning to explore with increasing intensity.
Impact on drivers in Spain and Europe
Although the initial rollout is concentrated in the United States and Canada, GM's strategy of strengthen its own digital ecosystem with services like Apple Music This will likely set the tone for the approach it will take in the European markets where it operates. The combination of over-the-air updates, integrated data, and native apps is becoming increasingly common among brands that want to position the car as just another connected device.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, many users have become accustomed to Use CarPlay or Android Auto for your daily commutesTherefore, the gradual withdrawal of these platforms may create uncertainty when choosing a vehicle. The key will be whether GM's system is intuitive and stable enough that the driver doesn't miss their mobile phone interface.
If the manufacturer manages to bring a similar offering to the European market, with several years of data included for music and podcasts And with a solid integration of Apple Music, it is likely that some users will adapt to the new paradigm without too many problems, especially those who value not having to connect their phone on every trip.
In any case, GM's move is part of a broader trend in the automotive industry, in which manufacturers are looking to have greater control over the software and the digital relationship with their customersInstead of ceding that space to Apple or Google. How this strategy materializes in Europe will depend on factors such as regulation, agreements with operators, and consumer reception.
What does seem clear is that, with the arrival of native Apple Music without CarPlay, GM is reorganizing its connectivity offering: betting on its own platformIt keeps the door open to highly demanded services like Apple Music and relies on the integrated connectivity of OnStar Basics to offer a more autonomous phone experience, both in North America and in the markets where it expands this model.
