GM Offers Owners Bluetooth Update Via OnStar
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General Motors recently sent out a letter to owners of certain late-model vehicles announcing an update for their vehicle’s Bluetooth system. The update, which improves the compatibility and functionality of smartphones as the devices improve and gain more features and functionality, is available via an update through OnStar.
Specifically, the update would fix an issue that occurs when a vehicle is paired with certain late-model smartphones that inadvertently drops the phone’s Bluetooth connection to the vehicle during incoming or outgoing calls. If this happens, the vehicle’s audio system will respond with a message that reads “Unable to place call on your Bluetooth phone”. GM’s letter included a list (below) of known smartphones that currently may not be compatible with the vehicle, but the list is not all-inclusive since smartphone technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. As such, owners can find the most up-to-date list of devices compatible with their vehicle’s Bluetooth-enabled audio system on this page of the OnStar website.
The software update, according to the letter, will modify the current Bluetooth hands-free calling system to recognize most current smartphone technology and maintain the connection. In addition, the update will be available through OnStar at no charge until September 30, 2016. And if an owner does not have a current OnStar subscription, one will be provided free of charge for 30 days; the subscription will also include a limited amount of the familiar OnStar emergency services, including Automatic Crash Response and Emergency Button services. To receive the update, simply press the OnStar button and inform the advisor that you received GM’s letter and are thus in need of a temporary “Bluetooth Service Package” to receive the smartphone update.
The GM Authority Take
Overall, this is a great effort by GM to maintain continued owner satisfaction with their products. And best of all, the update can be delivered over-the-air thanks to the unique connectivity of OnStar, making it quick, convenient, and seamless. Good stuff, GM… good stuff, indeed.
Are you experiencing dropped Bluetooth connections between your smartphone and late-model GM vehicle? Sound off in the comments!
| MANUFACTURER | DEVICE NAME |
|---|---|
| APPLE | IPHONE 4 (AT&T) |
| APPLE | IPHONE 4 (VERIZON) |
| DELL | VENUE |
| DELL | THUNDER |
| HTC | DROID INCREDIBLE |
| HTC | MERGE |
| HTC | DESIRE |
| HTC | DESIRE Z |
| HTC | EVO 4G |
| HTC | TROPHY |
| HTC | ARRIVE |
| HTC | OBOE |
| HTC | SURROUND |
| HTC | MOZART |
| HTC | INSPIRE |
| HTC | THUNDERBOLT |
| HTC | EVO SHIFT 4G |
| HTC | EVO VIEW 4G |
| HTC | SENSATION |
| HTC | DOUBLESHOT |
| HTC | MARVEL |
| HTC | SHOOTER |
| HTC | EVO 3D |
| HTC | KINGDOM |
| LG | ALLY |
| LG | GISELE |
| LG | APEX |
| LG | OPTIMUS |
| LG | GENESIS |
| LG | REVOLUTION 4G |
| LG | ALOHA |
| LG | FATHOM |
| MOTOROLA | DROID XTREME |
| MOTOROLA | DROID X2 |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY S |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY PRO |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY 5 |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY 551 |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY 3 |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY BEAM |
| SAMSUNG | OMNIA 7 |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY SL |
| SAMSUNG | NEXUS S |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY S II |
| SAMSUNG | WAVE |
| SAMSUNG | STAR II |
| SAMSUNG | WAVE II |
| SAMSUNG | CONTINUUM |
| SAMSUNG | FASCINATE |
| SAMSUNG | CHARGE |
| SAMSUNG | INDULGE |
| SAMSUNG | CAPTIVATE |
| SAMSUNG | FOCUS |
| SAMSUNG | INFUSE 4G |
| SAMSUNG | GRAVITY |
| SAMSUNG | EXHIBIT 4G |
| SAMSUNG | SIDEKICK 4G |
| SAMSUNG | VIBRANT |
| SAMSUNG | GALAXY A |
| SAMSUNG | EPIC 4G |
| SAMSUNG | NEXUS S 4G |
| SAMSUNG | REPLENISH |
| SAMSUNG | PREVAIL |
| SAMSUNG | INTERCEPT |
| SAMSUNG | TRANSFORM |
| SONY ERICSSON | XPERIA PLAY |
So which vehicles are affected by this?
The Cruze, for certain, but this isn’t widely-released information. Owners should know if they got the letter from GM and/or their brand.
so then before 2010 it won’t be available then?
Not necessarily. It depends on the vehicle — and we don’t have that information.
Just did the update yesterday on our Buick Regal. Got the temporary OnStar service, and the Bluetooth update downloaded very easily. The entire call with OnStar took less than 10 minutes.
I am wondering why I have not recieved a letter from GM to update my bluettoth package through on star. I am having a difficult time getting my phone contacts via bluetooth in my car. I am presnetly an on star subscriber.
I have a Droid Razr Maxx since June and paired it quite simply with my 2009 Malibu, but this week my connection is not made automatically. In fact, I have to go through unpairing the device, pairing it again and then giving it a new name because she tells me that the old name I used is in still in use. However, when I ask for a list of names, I am told there are none. Will this update solve my problem?
Tom — did anything change with your phone this week?
nothing changed that I know of. I first noticed that the bluetooth symbol was white when it usually blue when paired and connected. the only way I could connect it again was to unpair and then re-pair. each time I had to do it I was told that I could not use the same name for the phone because it was already in use, though each time I tried to list the names, I was told there were none. when 4 names were created, I could delete all of them and start from scratch. I am pretty sure it is the car and not the phone because I do not have the same problem on a second car with a Pioneer radio. When I try to connect the General Motors name, it connects for about 2 seconds before cutting out.
My ’09 TrailBlazer SS had the exact same problem you describe. The dealer tried doing a software update twice, but it didn’t help. They finally installed a new VCIM (the Bluetooth module), which fixed the problem.
I will plan to bring the car to the dealer and have them do the same.
Thanks!
Bill — thanks for the info!
Tom — keep us in the loop
My ’09 SS is out of warranty, but the dealership service mgr. talked to GM and got them to cover most of this repair. I only had to pay about $80.
I have the extended coverage, so I should be good, assuming they will make the repair without making me jump through hoops to prove that it is the car and not the phone.
I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with OnStar, Chevrolet, and a Chevy dealership and I still don’t have a solution. Supposedly, the latest update is sent “automatically” and OnStar can’t provide you with a download in the case of the download not being successful. I have the Samsung Epic 4G and I have not been able to use the phone with the bluetooth services without continuous dropping in and out of the call. It’s very disturbing that something this minor can’t be fixed by GM. As a side note, I had a Ford rental car and the bluetooth interface worked perfectly with this phone..
Feel your pain… When you say the call is dropping in and out, do you mean that the Bluetooth signal is intermittent/unstable or the reception of your phone?
I just got a new 2013 Volt. My iphone 5 paired easily but when I receive an incoming call, it rings through the car radio and displays on the screen but when I answer, the call transfers to the phone. I have to transfer it back to the car to continue talking without holding the phone. Outgoing calls seem to be ok. I was at the dealer yesterday and we talked to the service guy and he kept deleting and re-pairing the phone, but it still does the same thing. I really didn’t seem like I was going to get very far with him. Maybe I’ll call Onstar and see if they’ll try the software upgrade for me since I’m a subscriber. Thanks for the info.
Pete – congrats on the Volt. Do try the update and see where you get… I’m curious to see if it fixes the bug.
Alex
PS: you don’t have to be an OnStar subscriber to get the update.
Hey Alex,
They said that they know about the problem and that there was already an update for the 2011, 2012 Volts, but they’re still working on the 2013 update. They said they would contact me somehow when they need to do the update. She didn’t know whether it would be OTA update or id I’d have to bring it in to the dealer. I hope it’s OTA because the dealer I went to to first check it out didn’t seem to know much about it. Kept trying to tell me that I paired it wrong, then when they re-paired it, it did the same thing. Go figure.
Luckily, it seems to be only with incoming calls. Outgoing calls are fine.
Thanks for the interest Alex.
Pete.
Hey Pete — thanks for the update! Keep us abreast of any changes! In the meantime, I’ll reach out to GM Media to see if I can’t get any more info on this.
Alex
Pete — did some digging. This is the best I can dig up at this point:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/11/gm-working-on-software-update-to-improve-iphone-5-bluetooth-connectivity/
- Alex
I have just bought a Chevy Equinox and I have a trafone. The phone connects to the Bluetooth but won’t bring my contacts over. Then I have to say the number instead of just the name I want to call. Is this because it is a trafone? Anyone know?
I have a 2012 Malibu. Just got a new Motorola RAZR m smartphone and the voice pass through Bluetooth connection is unreliable. Sometimes it works and often it doesn’t. My old blackberry worked just fine. I will be contacting OnStar tomorrow to see about this update, I hope it works. I will update you after I speak with them.
No luck. Dealer told me I have the latest BT updates. Told me to go back to the phone provider. Let the finger pointing begin!
John — have you tried calling up OnStar?
Yes the told me to go to the dealer. Like I said..the dealer told me the BT was up to date. I just think the motorolla razr m is not a compatible device.
All we can do is keep pressing GM to make updates more frequently, via OnStar, so that we don’t have to keep going to a dealer and wait an hour to find out there is nothing they can do. Open a case at the newly opened website: http://gmtotalconnect.com/ to express your concern. They will keep pressing GM IT for updates on BT compatibility for newer devices and GM BT stack in later model GM cars (I guess a 2012 Malibu is just older BT technology).
I have a 2010 SRX. I have a problem connecting to the voice command. I have a new phone and when I press the voice command button, I get a ding to no voice. I had a similar problem a few months ago and the On Star tech was able to get me connected. On star tech suggested, this time I take the car to the dealer.
Ron — is your phone successfully paired to the SRX?
I just returned from the dealer. They had the car all day. Tech said the problem was corrected, but it is not corrected. I can’t get voice command to do anything. My experience with bluetooth on GM pvehicles is that you press the voice command button and a voice says”ready” you then say bluetooth, radio ect. Cadillac service said you only get a ding on cadillacs. I told him I was taking the SRX to a nearby Buick dealer. Service manager called , he is coming to my house tomorrow.
I have a 2011 Silverdo 1500 LT. Bluetooth worked great with Blackberry curve. Recently had to upgrade phone and now hac a Samsung Galaxy 3. All calls are basically completly full of static. will this update address this static problem?
I JUST BOUGHT A NEW CHEVY TRAVERSE 2013 AND HAVE A TRACFONE AND CAN NOT GET IT PAIRED. THE SALES PERSON ALSO TRIED AND COULD NOT GET IT CONNECTED AND TOLD ME THE PHONE IS TOO OLD. TRACFONE PERSON TELLS ME NO WAY. CALLED TRACFONE, DEALER, GM AND ONSTAR WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? I AM AT MY WITS END.
Betty — can you be a bit more specific as to the pairing process? Are you getting any error messages? If so, what kind?
I have a 2013 Equinox and a new tracfone. Still can’t connect my contacts. Why?? I just bought the new phone so I didn’t already say that. Guess no one can come up with a solution at GM.
@Msbee Is the Equinox set up to sync contacts?
After finding this on Google I just hit up OnStar in my 2012 Equinox. They gave me 30 days of free service, but told me they have no control over when I would get the update. Is there any way for people to tell whether or not A) their vehicle is included in the bluetooth update mentioned here and B) whether or not we have received the update or not? OnStar said they couldn’t tell me how to know when I got the update, that GM pushes it themselves through OnStar.
The reason I am unsure on whether or not I should be receiving the update is because when I visit the TotalConnect website and put my vehicle in, my radio is not shown, so I have no idea what my vehicle is compatible with or not compatible with. My info is a 2012 Equinox with the 7″ color touch radio (non MyLink). I’m one of the ones who got shafted on MyLink availability.
Thanks!!
Hey MY IPHONE 4s caused all kinds of problems when we paired it to our CHEV SILVERADO P/u 2010. SO GUESS THIS IS A MODEL AFFECTED.
It caused dropped devices and calls, deleted other paired devices and generally made it horrid to use the Bluetooth.
I have a 2013 Malibu 2LT that I recently purchased. I paired my Samsung Galaxy Nexus with the car. Problem is, it does not recognize or show the contacts on my phone. Whenever I try to use voice commands like I used to with my 2010 Equinox, it is like the phone doesn’t have contacts on it to dial. It tries to dial ’950′ or another 3 digit number. I’ve unpaired and paired the phone several times to see if it will work to no avail. Help!
Tim — that sounds like a setting (perhaps to sync contacts) might be disabled.
For a more focused discussion to resolve the issue, I’ve posted your question in our Forum here:
http://gmauthority.com/forum/discussion/192/contacts-not-synching-to-2013-chevy-malibu-with-mylink
Alex
GM Authority
As an addendum, all other bluetooth features work between the phone and the car. It just can’t or won’t find the contact numbers on the phone.