myBuick Mobile App

myBuick is a mobile app that provides remote vehicle access and information for Buick vehicles.

Device Compatibility

myBuick is available for the following platforms:

• Apple iOS on the Apple AppStore
• Google Android on Google Play

Vehicle Compatibility

The myBuick app works with model year 2010 and newer Buick vehicles.

Compatibility of vehicle remote features vary as per the below table.

How Vehicle Access Features Work

The vehicle access features of myBuick require an active OnStar plan — whether it’s the free Basic Plan or one of the paid subscriptions. It also requires the user to download the app, create an OnStar user ID and password, and log into myBuick. Once all that’s done, here’s how it works:

1. Running on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, the app connects to the OnStar data center using the Internet — either through a cellular network (like 3G or 4G) or through Wi-Fi.
2. When a user requests a remote command (such as remote start), the app sends a signal to OnStar data centers (again, via the Internet)
3. The data center then sends a response, which is sent to the vehicle (such as the request for remote start) over the Internet using a cellular connection. The cellular carriers vary by geography:
   • In the U.S., the carrier is Verizon Wireless on vehicles without 4G and AT&T on 4G-equipped vehicles.
   • In China, the carrier is China Telecom.
4. Upon receiving the command from the data center, the vehicle executes it and then responds using its built-in OnStar cellular connection, sending a signal to the data center over the Internet. For instance: it has successfully executed the remote start command.
5. Upon receiving the reply from the vehicle, the data center then sends a final reply, which is dispatched to the vehicle as well as the user’s device. At this point, the device shows a successful “Your Vehicle Is Now Running” or unsuccessful “Unable to start vehicle” message.

This same process is replicated for other commands, such as door lock/unlock, horn, lights, and vehicle information (such as tire pressure, gas mileage, range, etc). OnStar tells us that subsequent requests are faster than the first, since the connection to the vehicle is already open and active.

myBuick Version 1

Version 1 of the myBuick app was released in October 2010. Its functionality did not include any vehicle access features like remote door unlock or remote start. At that time, these were handled exclusively by the OnStar RemoteLink app.

myBuick version 1.0 features included:

• Call Roadside Assistance
• Parking reminder
• Schedule service
• Locate a dealer
• Browse vehicle offers
• Browse excerpts of the owner’s manual
• See a list of in-vehicle indicators and lights

An icon for OnStar RemoteLink, known as OnStar MyLink at the time of the release of the myBuick app, launched the standalone OnStar app.

myBuick Version 3

In 2016, the myBuick app received a complete redesign as part of Version 3. The new app delivers an entirely new user interface and integrates vehicle access features previously available only in the OnStar RemoteLink app.

News

Follow GM Authority’s coverage of myBuick app here: myBuick news.