GM Brings Apple Music to New Vehicles in Post CarPlay Shift
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Key Facts
- GM is rolling out Apple Music as a native in car app starting today via over the air updates
- Initial rollout targets select Cadillac and Chevrolet models in the US and Canada
- Apple Music streaming is tied to OnStar Basics and includes multi year access for eligible buyers
- Some Cadillac vehicles will support Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos through the built in system
General Motors is adding Apple Music directly into its latest vehicle software, starting with an over the air update that begins rolling out today. The move is a clear response to customer demand for familiar Apple services after GM’s decision to phase out Apple CarPlay in newer models sparked heavy backlash and created a perception gap for drivers who wanted their core apps without phone projection.
The first wave covers a mix of high visibility Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles, including EVs and several gasoline powered nameplates. GM says Apple Music will run natively through the vehicle’s infotainment system rather than through CarPlay, with streaming delivered via OnStar Basics for eligible recent model year vehicles in the United States and Canada. That approach lets GM keep its own software interface front and centre while still offering one of the most requested music platforms.
For GM, this is also a positioning play around premium audio and deeper system integration. Certain Cadillac models will support Apple Music Spatial Audio using Dolby Atmos, something that requires built in integration and cannot be replicated through standard phone projection. The update signals where GM wants to go next: an in house software stack that can be refreshed over the air and expanded beyond entertainment into features like driver assistance and hands free highway systems.
