Native Apple Music Integration
General Motors aims to limit the use of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, however, it has made an exception for the Apple Music service. The proprietary app has begun to be implemented with certain vehicles of the 2025 model year and newer.
As reported by the manufacturer, the new app will provide drivers with
“direct access to millions of songs, curated playlists, exclusive content, global live radio, and personalized recommendations”
.
The user experience will be
“seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment system”
, and will not be redirected through a smartphone. Furthermore, GM stated that Apple Music will be able to fully utilize the vehicle’s computing power and advanced audio systems. For some Cadillac models, this will allow the use of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, which promises to transform the cabin into an immersive three-dimensional sound environment, adapted to the vehicle’s acoustics.
First Models with Integration
The automaker also noted that the integration means owners can start streaming music immediately after getting into the car. Additionally, they can use the vehicle’s voice assistant to control Apple Music.
The implementation will be gradual, but Apple Music will be automatically installed in eligible vehicles. Currently, these include the 2025-2026 Cadillac CT5, the 2025 Escalade IQ, and the 2026 Vistiq.
At Chevrolet, Apple Music can be found in the 2025-2026 Blazer EV, Equinox EV, and Silverado EV. It will also be in the 2026 Corvette, Tahoe, and Suburban.
Eight Years of Free Streaming
While the integration of Apple Music is a positive step, an even more important development could be the free audio streaming via OnStar Basics. This plan is standard for new vehicles, and customers in the US and Canada will receive eight years of audio streaming at no additional cost.
This means owners can access streaming music, audiobooks, podcasts, and news apps without paying extra for it. It also allows customers to avoid workarounds, such as streaming via smartphone using Bluetooth.
This move by GM can be viewed as part of a larger strategy to create its own, more integrated digital environment in the vehicle, reducing dependence on third-party mobile ecosystems. Offering a long period of free streaming is a powerful incentive for customers, designed to make the built-in services more attractive than smartphone-based solutions. The success of this initiative may determine how ready buyers are to embrace the automaker’s new philosophy regarding in-car entertainment, especially against the backdrop of past controversies over abandoning Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.