General Motors has announced a major enhancement to its forthcoming vehicle lineup, revealing that native integration of Apple Music will soon be a standard feature within the infotainment systems of select 2025 model-year Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles. This development signifies a pivotal step in GM’s broader strategy to enrich the digital experience inside its cars. The automaker is accelerating efforts to incorporate native, fully embedded applications directly into its infotainment ecosystem. This initiative comes as part of GM’s attempt to offset the absence of popular smartphone projection platforms such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—services that many drivers have long relied upon to access navigation, media, and communication tools. By embedding Apple Music within its own system, GM aims to deliver a cohesive, uninterrupted, and highly responsive in-car entertainment experience that no longer depends on the driver’s phone connection.
According to the company’s announcement, Apple Music will become available in all compatible 2025 and newer Cadillac and Chevrolet models through an over-the-air software update—an approach reflecting the automotive industry’s movement toward continuous, remote upgrades that enhance vehicles long after purchase. This update will be distributed through GM’s OnStar Basics package, a service that comes as a standard feature on every new GM vehicle starting from the 2025 model year. Importantly, customers will enjoy access to this package for up to eight years at no additional charge, ensuring that the benefits of connectivity and entertainment remain accessible throughout a significant portion of the vehicle’s lifespan.
The list of models eligible for this feature is extensive, encompassing both electric and combustion-powered vehicles that represent multiple segments of GM’s premium and mass-market offerings. Among Cadillac’s lineup, Apple Music will debut in the 2025 and 2026 Cadillac CT5 sedans, the cutting-edge 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, and the brand-new 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, a luxury electric SUV. Chevrolet owners will likewise benefit, with integration coming to the 2025 and 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV, as well as the 2026 Corvette, Suburban, and Tahoe. GM confirmed that its other major brands—Buick and GMC—will also receive Apple Music integration, though their rollout will occur at a subsequent stage.
In particular, Cadillac owners are expected to experience a uniquely immersive listening environment, thanks to Apple Music’s recognition as a leading provider of spatial audio powered by Dolby Atmos technology. This feature produces a multidimensional sound field that envelops listeners, simulating the acoustics of a live performance space. For instance, Cadillac’s forthcoming Vistiq SUV will include a standard 23-speaker AKG Studio Reference sound system designed to fully exploit Dolby Atmos capabilities. Such a system allows the smallest details of a recording—whether a faint instrumental tone or a spatially positioned vocal—to be heard with remarkable clarity and precision.
Beyond the promise of superior audio quality, GM highlighted a practical benefit of this native integration: users will be able to begin music playback the moment they enter the vehicle, without the delays typically associated with connecting a phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This immediacy simplifies the user experience, cutting down on setup time and minimizing distractions. Furthermore, drivers will gain the convenience and safety of hands-free music control through voice commands integrated into the vehicle’s intelligent assistant, enabling them to select playlists, albums, or tracks effortlessly while keeping their attention on the road.
Tim Twerdahl, GM’s vice president of global product management, characterized this initiative as part of the company’s broader commitment to “expanding entertainment choices built directly into our vehicles.” His statement underscores GM’s vision to shift the in-car experience from one dependent on external devices toward a self-contained digital platform, wholly developed and managed by the automaker itself. This direction sets GM apart from most other global manufacturers, many of whom continue to rely on phone projection systems like Apple CarPlay for seamless connectivity. GM, however, contends that its proprietary system can surpass those experiences by delivering deeper software integration, faster response times, and consistent design and support across its vehicle lineup.
Over the past two years, GM has gradually phased out traditional phone mirroring from many of its electric vehicles, redefining the interface through which users interact with streaming apps and essential digital services. This policy sparked considerable debate among consumers and industry observers. During a recent public appearance, GM CEO Mary Barra acknowledged that the company was exploring methods to transition even internal combustion engine vehicles away from reliance on CarPlay and Android Auto. Following some public concern, GM clarified that it had no immediate intention of altering existing vehicles already equipped with those projection capabilities. In effect, its current focus is on designing new models optimized for a fully native digital ecosystem rather than retroactively changing established systems.
Complementing the integration of Apple Music, GM also announced additional forthcoming features designed to enhance digital convenience. Among these are support for Apple Wallet and Digital Keys, which will enable owners to unlock, start, or share vehicle access using their iPhone or compatible Apple device. This suite of upgrades reflects GM’s broader commitment to redefining connectivity, security, and entertainment in its future electric and conventional vehicles. By weaving native applications directly into the fabric of its infotainment architecture, the company aims to deliver a sophisticated driving experience that bridges luxury, technology, and user empowerment in a seamless, forward-looking way.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/transportation/844697/gm-cadillac-chevy-apple-music-native
