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Chevy Unleashes myChevrolet, OnStar MyLink Apps For iPhone And Android Devices

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As a loyal GM Authority reader, you knew this day was coming: we’ve waited and looked forward to this day for what seems to have been years… and the day has finally arrived! Chevrolet has just released the much-anticipated myChevrolet app for Apple and Android devices.

The apps offer an unheard-of level of connectivity between the user and the Chevy vehicle, but GM’s bow tie brand surprised us with more than a few innovative new features.

Broadly speaking, myChevrolet allows users to search their owners’ manual, find their parking spot, as well as unlock their car – right from their phone. Chevy divides the app’s functionality into three main categories:

Location-based services

The location-based services include a parking reminder that allows drivers to save their parking location to a GPS-enabled map, set a timer to track how much time they have on the parking meter, and even add a note or photo with details about their parking location. If they return to a flat tire, the driver can use the app to request roadside assistance or to locate the closest Chevrolet dealership and schedule a service appointment.

Vehicle-specific information

Vehicle-specific information is accessible after scanning the vehicle identification number using the smart-phone camera. These features include searchable content for the most-commonly accessed information in the owner’s manual, such as directions saving radio presets. The app also provides explanations of warning lights and indicators on the vehicle instrument panel at the touch of a button.

OnStar Connectivity Features

myChevrolet integrates with the OnStar MyLink app to access exclusive OnStar technologies. Through OnStar’s unique connection to the vehicle, owners can send remote vehicle commands such as unlocking or locking the doors, and starting the engine. In addition, owners can access key diagnostic information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon. The diagnostic information is current as of the last vehicle start, giving OnStar subscribers an up-to-date health report of their vehicle anytime they need it.

Availability

myChevrolet, which includes OnStar MyLink, are currently available as free downloads from the Apple App Store or from the Android Market. The apps are only compatible with model year 2011 and newer Chevrolet vehicles. Apps for owners of Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles will be available soon.

As far as we know, the app will only work with vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. General Motors was not available at time of publication.

The GM Authority Take

This is… amazing! If we could, we would put a gazillion exclamation marks after that sentence. In all seriousness, however, this is a monumental moment in the grand scheme of the automobile. The amount of useful features is simply mind-boggling and is a first in the entire auto industry! With myChevrolet, Chevy has gained a Herculean competitive advantage that won’t be countered, if not met, for the foreseeable future by any other automaker.

Stay tuned for the GM Authority review of the myChevrolet app. Also, be sure to tune into the GM Authority Weekly podcast for a thorough analysis of the app and its implications for the automotive industry at large.

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. I got this app and it shows my parking reminder that my truck was more then a mile away from me when it’s setting in my drive way. keep working on the app and give updates.

    Reply
  2. When will the app work for a 2011 chevy aveo

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    1. WIll — probably never. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of OnStar hardware is in the Aveo… but I’d imagine it’s not the 9th generation that is required for use of the MyLink apps.

      That said, we’ll check in with our contacts at OnStar and let you know by commenting on this post.

      Alex
      Founder, GM Authority

      Reply
      1. So you don’t think the 2011 aveo doesn’t have the newest generation onstar in it

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        1. Probably not. If the 2011s aren’t compatible now, I don’t see how it will come — especially since the all-new Sonic is right around the corner. 🙁

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    2. I have a 2015 Chevy Silverado, when I bought the vehicle I received all the onstar services for 3 months was great.
      Although the truck comes with navigation unless you purchase hundreds of dollars on the apps they do not work well at all!
      I did purchase sat radio and the WiFi, the WiFi hasn’t worked since the initial 3 month free trial , I have to call onstar to get the WiFi to work .
      Chevy is not in the business of selling vehicles they are selling all these extras!
      Don’t waste your money for ONSTAR, I have a after market navigation system in my work Truck and is awesome

      Reply
  3. Can you provide any timeline for making this app for windows phones.

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  4. Just picked up the aforementioned Sonic with all the top of the line OnStar features except…….I have a Windows phone. would really (and I can’t put enough exclamation points at the end of that sentence).

    So how much longer do I have to wait?

    Reply
    1. Hey Matthew — congrats on the Sonic! I would recommend starting a thread in the GM Authority Forum to show Chevy and/or GM the demand for a Windows Phone version of RemoteLink.

      Just head on over to gmauthority.com/forum or click on “Forum” at the very top of any page on GM Authority.

      Cheers!

      Alex

      Reply
  5. I have a 2012 Chevy Cruze. Do you know when the app will be compatable for the 2012 models

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    1. Jim — are you referring to the OnStar RemoteLink app or the myChevrolet app? I’m aware that both aren’t technically 2012-ready, but they should still work if you select the 2011 model year…

      Reply
  6. I am referring to the mycehvrolet app. I will load with 2011 and check it out

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    1. I loaded the app and the owners manual and the lights and indicators options do not work since the app only works for 2010 and 2011.

      Reply
      1. So then it’s the OnStar RemoteLink app that you’re using to activate horn/lights. I imagine GM will update the app in the near future for 2012s. Let me do some research and I’ll get back to you on here.

        Reply
  7. Thanks for the update

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    1. Jim – I had a chance to write in to GM’s and OnStar’s PR team.

      OnStar RemoteLink (the app that you use to perform remote commands on your vehicle like remote start, horn/lights, etc.) is updated and supported for 2012 MY vehicles. The brands are rolling out 2012 MY support for their mobile apps — so MyChevrolet — for example — goes up to 2011 MY for now.

      The one area of RemoteLink that may not be up to date would be the owner center — specifically the owner’s manual area. But that should not prevent you from performing the remote commands via RemoteLink.

      So, are you having trouble performing remote commands via RemoteLink?

      Reply
  8. The commands via RemoteLink are working fine. Just the 2 issues with the Mychevrolet app

    Reply
    1. Ah, ok. So what happens in the MyChevrolet app, then?

      Reply
  9. Alex,
    I thought I posted that already but I didn’t.
    When I select the owners manual or the lights and indicator options I receive the error that they are available only for the 2010 and 2011 models.
    I will just need to wait until it get updated.

    Reply
    1. I see. Yupp, as per GM’s comment — the updates are on their way.

      Reply
  10. When will it be available for Windows phones?

    Reply
    1. Brad — please see the comments above.

      I don’t know that GM has made any progress on making Windows Phone versions of the app just yet.

      Reply
  11. [comment edited to remove email address]

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  12. I have a Galaxy Nexus with the Android” Ice Cream Sandwich”operating system. When will you guys make the my Chevy application compatible? I have a kick butt car and a kick butt phone and it does work. What’s up with that?

    Reply
  13. Does NOT work

    Reply
    1. Tracey,

      What’s not working for you?

      Reply
  14. The my Chevy app is not compatible with my Android OS Ice Cream Sandwich. I can not download the app. I get a “not compatible” message. I have a 2012 Cruze LTZ RS and Verizon Samsung Galaxy NEXUS Google phone

    Reply
  15. I will soon have this problem myself, I just bought a 2012 Volt only to find out that my Android pad running 3.0 won’t work with either OnStar’s app or MyChevrolet. Poor show.

    Reply
  16. You mean to say as of the END of April, Neither the ONStar App or the My Chevy App work with 3.0? How about ICS (4.0) I have a Droid Bionic and will be plenty pissed if I spend 40K on a Volt and it does not even talk to my phone….

    Reply
  17. Would like to see arrow (Pointer) Direction and distance to car added as an additional feature.

    Reply
  18. Any ideas on when the MyChevrolet App will work on Android phones running ICS (Android 4.0.x). With all of the phones that are getting or already have this OS, would think it would be available by now. Have contacted developers…nothing yet except that the Chevrolet CS rep said they would forward it on. OnStar RemoteLink works fine, but when trying to download MyChevrolet app from PlayStore, says it’s not compatible with my device. Comments on the PlayStore say the same for everything running ICS (Razr, Razr Maxx, GSIII, etc…).

    Reply
  19. When will app meet expectations for 2008 Avalanche.

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  20. Is the app compatible for the windows phone yet I just bought a brand new 2012 crude
    and cannot find the app anywhere

    Reply
  21. Volt Link in the marketplace is an unofficial OnStar app. Too bad GM can’t show some love for us using Windows Phone. Works with more than just Volt, works great with my 2012 Chevy Sonic

    Reply
  22. I have a 2013 Malibu. I recently downloaded the My Chevy app with the parking reminder, but I can’t get the parking reminder to work. Am I missing something? Sometimes the map will automatically go to where my car is located. At other times, it’s no where close, and at other times it doesn’t register a move in location at all and still shows that my car is in my garage though it isn’t. I am using the app on an Android phone. I have made sure that the GPS on my phone is turned on. Thanks for help in solving this problem.

    Reply
  23. I can’t get the parking reminder to work with my 2013 camaro

    Reply
  24. Will there be any updates for there to be a 2009 avalanche available? I just brought this car but I don’t want to purchase onstar until I know that I can have this app. I’ve heard that there are updates going around but I have yet to hear about anything official.

    Reply
  25. Incompatible with Nexus 4 running KitKat 4.4.2 and that’s kinda suprising me. GM needs to hires some real Devs for their app.

    Reply
    1. And by the way, my car is a 2013 Camaro with On-Star service.

      Reply
    2. I just ate a kit kat. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t work for you. Or maybe it’s the deep and heavy fragmentation of the android platform that makes devs focus on other platforms.

      Reply
  26. The “Locate a Dealer” feature on the myChevrolet app is truly horrible. I was driving my 2011 Silverado diesel in north east Utah, when the check engine light came on. I started the app, tapped Locate a Dealer, and tapped “Use Current Location.” Nothing showed up, which is not surprising given I was 200 miles from Salt Lake City, my destination. So I scrolled over to SLC, yet still NOTHING SHOWED UP! What, no Chevy dealers in SLC? What I learned is I have to 1) use Google to search SLC for a SLC zip code, 2) copy the ZIP code to the clipboard, 3) switch back to myChevrolet, and then 4) use the “search by ZIP code” feature. Found a few dealers that way, but no more. I spent over 1/2 hour searching for zip codes so I could find a Chevy dealer. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why can’t I simply scroll around the map to see more dealers? It’s technically feasible, I know, because I’m an iPhone app developer and I’ve developed map-based apps. The app myChevrolet is just plan stupid.

    Reply

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