• by Tanya Gazdik , 6 hours ago

Apple Music is now available natively in some newer General Motors Vehicles, with standard streaming starting with newer Cadillac and Chevrolet models. 

Availability across additional GM brands will follow. This update allows Apple Music to take full advantage of GM’s software platform, the vehicle’s processing power, and advanced audio systems. 

“The move is a positive one, though it doesn't go the full way of replacing the usability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are currently absent on its new EVs,” according to Car and Driver. 

The upside of the latest news is free internet connectivity for audio streaming in some new cars for eight years, notes Inside EVs. 

“Previously, 2025 and newer GM car owners had to pay a $9.99 monthly subscription to access a connectivity service called OnStar Connect, which includes features like automatic crash response, remote vehicle commands, navigation and voice assistance,” according to Inside EVs. “Audio streaming is now part of the free OnStar Basics pack, but the other features still require a paid subscription.”

GM is making audio streaming standard through OnStar Basics for all 2025 and newer vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. That means customers can access their favorite music, audiobook, podcast, and news apps including Apple Music at no additional connectivity cost.

“Late last year, GM reiterated that it would be cutting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto because it believes that its own infotainment software is more than good enough, but the real reason, as always, comes down to money,” according to Autoblog. “ Long-term, GM wants its vehicles to sit upon ‘software-defined platforms,’ and to make these as efficient as possible, working around a third-party smartphone integration system is not feasible.”

Initially, General Motors planned to only cut CarPlay and Android Auto from its electric vehicles, but in October, the automaker announced that all future GM vehicles would lose the systems. 

“Not long after, GM clarified that CarPlay and Android Auto would remain in gas-powered vehicles for the time being, with its own infotainment system with Google’s Gemini AI planned for a 2028 rollout,” according to Autoblog. “Despite plenty of evidence to suggest that the loss of CarPlay and Android Auto would be a dealbreaker for many buyers, GM wants to monetize in-car services through subscriptions, and it can’t do that if customers are happily streaming content and using navigation systems through Apple and Android.”

Going forward, the select 2025 and 2026 Chevrolet and Cadillac models will now have access to Apple Music natively via the latest software update. Apple Music will appear automatically in eligible vehicles. Existing Apple Music subscribers can sign in with their current subscription to begin streaming when connected via OnStar.