As owners of many GM vehicles know very well, GM’s and OnStar’s recently-released suite of mobile apps are nothing short of impressive. However, these applications are only compatible with 2011 (and newer) model year vehicles, leaving owners of older models out of luck. But if messages from Twitter are to be believed, owners of older models may soon get the royal app treatment as well.
In a Tweet late last month, OnStar head Chris Preuss had the following to say to a Twitter user inquiring about the reason the iPhone OnStar App doesn’t work with a 2007 Chevy Tahoe:
“#OnStar app for iPhone doesn’t work on my 2007 Tahoe..its hardware in car that enables new in ’11…wrking on older mods now”
And just a few short minutes later, another conversation between Preuss and a Twitter inquirer:
“@1TrueCanadian un4tunately not…elec architecture issue. We hope to get ’08s active. Email me [email protected] 4 more info”
The GM Authority Take
It would be great news if OnStar enabled its apps to function with 2008 model year GM vehicles. Unfortunately, that leaves owners of pre-2008 model year vehicles out of luck. So our question to you, dear reader, is this: how far does OnStar/GM need to go in order to satisfy you as an existing owner of a GM vehicle and OnStar subscriber? Keep in mind that GM and OnStar are in this game as a business… talk to us in the comments.
PS: if the above links and quotes don’t do it for you, here are the screenshots of the aforementioned tweets by Mr. Preuss.
Comments
I didn’t liked the recently released application of GM.
This would be a great business move in my opinion, and I’m the very customer to prove it. Just bought a 2008 gmc Sierra and have the trial onstar. Like it? Yes. Ready to buy yearly subscription? Nope. Not until I learned I could get an app to interact with my truck. When it is compatible with my truck, I’ll get my yearly subscription the same day. Until then, no onstar for me. You’ll have my money if you can make it compatible.
That’s an interesting point; we’ve usually taken the point of view of the new car buyer when discussing OnStar… Looks like we’ll need to keep used sales in mind as well from now on.
PS: keep in mind that we’re not GM, so we don’t make any decisions one way or the next. However, I’m curious to know whether you’ve considered OnStar’s other benefits/features besides the app integration. I’m referring to stuff like OnStar navigation, emergency crash response, vehicle theft immobilizer, etc. Are these not – in and of themselves – enough for you to spring for the subscription?
Alex Luft
Founder, GM Authority
My gm vehicle is an 06 that I purchased recently. I signed up for the trial of onstar and so far I don’t see a lot to keep me. I haven’t played with the navigation but I already have a nav unit in the car. I also have a cell phone and Bluetooth. The one feature that is even remotely useful to me is the crash response but I’m not sure that’s worth the money they’re charging.
But having an iPhone app that can unlock my car if I left the key inside, being able to remote start the car or anything else that makes my life more convenient is worth a small premium. If I buy another gm (gotta convince the better half) it likely won’t be a 2011 but showing an iPhone app that could save a call to the tow truck would definitely go a long way in making the case.
would get OnStar in a heart beat if I could remote start my 2007 Hummer H2. Alas I will more than likely go with a Viper system.
This is my conundrum. You say is a hardware limitation….How do the onstar rep’s unlock your doors and do all their magical things on their end? To me it would sound reasonable to assume they use SOFTWARE to do this….which would then make their claim of “hardware limitations” invalid. It sounds to me its a programming issue, as in they dont want to invest the time and money into making it work for 2010 and below models. I just purchased a 2010 silverado, the fact that the dealership bragged about this app and using it for my truck and come to find out it doesnt work is a different story i guess…..
Well, the fact that the dealer was thoroughly misinformed is an entirely different issue… perhaps some research on your end was called for…
However, I’m not gonna pretend to know the inner-workings of OnStar – so I can’t comment on whether their claim of “hardware limitation” is valid… but I will compare what’s happening here to another revolutionary consumer product – the Apple iPhone. For example, when the iPhone first came out four years ago, it cost $600, had 4GB of storage, couldn’t do multimedia messaging, had no app capability, couldn’t run Bluetooth audio, couldn’t run apps in the background, couldn’t record video, and couldn’t connect to a Microsoft Exchange server. Fast forward four years to present day. That same original iPhone, if purchased four years ago, is not capable of MMS, background apps, can’t do bluetooth audio, and doesn’t have video recording – today. However, Apple has been kind enough to add some software features to that original phone by ways of software updates… that said, not all features are available to buyers of the new iPhone 4 are available to users of the original iPhone.
So what does this mean? Well, that’s is called progress. Sometimes legacy (old) products need to be left behind for the sake of progress. From a technological perspective, not all tech can always be backwards compatible with prior tech: it’s sometimes necessary to break all legacy ties and “start over” – rewrite, rethink, and restart. Innovation can’t take place if – at the invention of every single new and revolutionary idea – one has to stop and think: “it doesn’t work with old technologies… so I shouldn’t do it.” If that were the case, the brilliant scientists and engineers that make such useful yet complex products such as OnStar and the iPhone would never release their work to the public!
Now, whether the OnStar updates are so revolutionary as to not be compatible with the older hardware and new infrastructure is unknown (to me). But at the end of the day – just like Apple – GM and OnStar are innovators. And if it means that ONLY buyers of new models can enjoy the fun, then that’s the cost of admission. Would I be pissed if I just bought a 2010 GM vehicle and found out the apps don’t work with my car/truck? Hell yes. But that’s the price I pay for getting a discount on a non-2011 model. That’s the trade off.
But I didn’t pay 26,000 for my iPhone, but I did for my 08 Tahoe w/ onstar so one would think such an investment should be compatible w/ any new technological advancements for at Least the following 10yrs from the date of production. Especially considering how big of an influence cellphones have had on every aspect of our lives within the last decade. Seems like some of those GM and Onstar innovators have over looked the obvious for quite some time now thus dropping the proverbial ball…
Onstar has come a long way they finally have a service that I actually would pay for and keep past the free trial period with the phone app. However too bad my Denali is a 2010 which I love. I was sooo disappointed when I download the app to my phone.
For me 2010 is the magic age since I have a new 2010. What I think they should consider is offering something like they did when they switched from analog to digital OnStar hardware. OnStar/GM offered, for a fee, to upgrade the hardware in my 2003 if I wanted to continue the service. Wonder if there is a reason they aren’t considering something like this.
But how do we know that they’re not working on something like this? Or that they may offer this for free instead of for a fee? I realize how anxious it must be to wait for these things (and news about them) to spread — but once all is said and done, it will be worth it!
My wife and I drive 2008 and 2009 GM vehicles and have Onstar subscriptions, and have for many years with our previous GM vehicles. We would love to have this app available for our vehicles. As far back this should go to older models, I think it may be limited to a certain generation of Onstar hardware that is compatible. We are at gen 9 now, I think, with 2011 models, so maybe any later (digital) version.
Complete agree, David. I know they’re working on getting it to 2010 model year and older vehicles — and I guess they can offer a retrofit kit for those older models for a fee. I just hope that they don’t hold back future innovations for the sake of backwards compatibility.
Just thought I’d toss out the fact that today I decided to test the OnStar app (again!) with my 2010 Tahoe – it works! And it works great! All the other times I got a messages saying there were no compatible vehicles on my acct. and today it’s working! Test your 2010s, people!
That’s great news — we should let everyone know by writing a blog post for GM Authority! Woohoo!
If on-star doesn’t update the app to work with my newly purchased 2007 Yukon then I do not plan on starting a contract w/ them after my 6-month free trial w/ them. No point, my insurance & portable jump-starter/compressor/jack does all that I would need standard on-star for.
It’s not about updating the app, it’s about updating your vehicle. And that — most likely — won’t happen. Was the iPhone even out in 2007?
No i don’t believe the iphone was, HOWEVER, the Ipod Touch WAS.
The later released 2007 Ipods with higher GB capacity WERE equipped with with Wifi and bluetooth options, as were every Ipod touch thereafter.
So your question “Was the Iphone even out in 2007?” is really not relevant because bluetooth came BEFORE the Iphone was even released…
I love the app. Just got my boss set up on his new truck. So, he buys a new truck because I sent him to buy a chevy. Now he gets a mobile link to his truck but I can’t with my 2008 Tahoe even though I have been a loyal ONSTAR customer for years? That just does not seem right. Come on ONSTAR…take care of your loyal customers first or they just may not be sending you new ones…..
Ann — it’s awesome that you turned your boss onto Chevy and OnStar! As far as I now, the compatibility with the 2008 Tahoe is in the works. Let me reach out to OnStar for an official answer.
Alex
Founder, GM Authority
I am planning on buying a 2007 Suburban, I would only sign up for onstar if I could use the mylink feature. Otherwise onstar does nothing for me. I have a cell phone, I know where I am going, I have insurance. So I hope somebody from onstar reads the interweb.
In that case, you probably won’t be signing up for OnStar… I’d recommend getting a newer vehicle (I know, easier said than done) or considering the other features OnStar offers, such as:
– automatic crash response (your cell phone isn’t much help if you’re knocked our or seriously injured)
– Navigation/directions – I know where I’m going… Most of the time
Obviously, the mobile apps increase OnStar’s value considerably…
Alex
Founder, GM Authority
I have a 2003 silvarado and have never activated my onstar. I never once considered it a worthwhile expense until I heard about the new mylink. I am very disappoonted to learn it will not work for my vehicle. I would gladly pay the annual fees if the app worked on my vehicle. I am sure there are many others out there like me who feel the same way. That could be a huge market influx of older vehicle owners for onstar. I guess I will keep my fingers crossed.
Yeah, you can probably forget about ObStar MyLink making its way to a 2003 model year vehicle. However, I’m a strong supporter of the idea that GM and OnStar should make available an aftermarket compatibility kit that would give owners of models with last-generation OnStar hardware access to the new functionality. I’d also bundle 6 months of OnStar with the kit.
If a user is already a subscriber, they get a free 6 months added to their subscription. If they’re not a subscriber, the 6 months gives them a chance to try it out (since they already spent the money on the kit).
The determining factor here would be price. We’ll see…
besides the app integration. I’m referring to stuff like OnStar navigation, emergency crash response, vehicle theft immobilizer, etc. Are these not – in and of themselves – enough for you to spring for the subscription?
Its a good point Alex.. But not everyone wants to call a number and talk live to a agent. Having everything in your hand when your keys are locked in your truck or in my case a 2009 Avalanche with a crappy factory remote start. A App would be great!. I would love that App for the truck start alone! Maybe OnStar can put a function in to start a vehicle via phone call? Just my 2cents
I see your point!
My 2007 Suburban has the same features of the 2010 including remote start, keyless entry ect. I can’t believe that the options that Onstar has such as starting and openeing my truck would not work with a mobile app. I understand not working for the 2003 models but I bought brand new with 0% and still owe about 12 more payments. My truck still looks and runs like it is brand new. The only feature that I could see being an issue would be showing the fuel level but even that is tracked by the onboard computer. I can go online and see what my tire pressure is at anytime and how long before I need another oil change. It seems if the functions of your vehicle can be controlled by Onstar then the app should also work.
Own a 2007 Silverado, have onstar subscription but it’s a little stale and not really worth the money now, especially if they they don’t fresh’n up the service… Even more so now with this tough economy I wonder why I should even keep paying for a service that they won’t even include upgrade’s to handle my model year but keep taking my money… GM are you listening?
OnStar as it exists on my 2008 GMC Sierra is cool technology but it doesn’t solve enough problems for me to make it worth the subscription. I’ve had OnStar on virtually all of my vehicles since 1999 but have never gone beyond the one-year freebie. And…I’ve never needed any of the OnStar functions.
BUT…if MyOnStar would work with my 2008 Sierra, I’d re-subscribe. Otherwise, my iPhone and a tire gauge covers virtually ALL of the OnStar functions I’d need.
Howard, I think the OnStar feature that many miss (or don’t take into account until it’s actually needed) is Automatic Crash Response. When you’re physically incapacitated after an accident (or maybe even unconscious) — along with your phone, which either flew out the window and landed in the ditch or hit the dash and is now in pieces — OnStar’s Automatica Crash Response is — literally — a life saver.
Having been in such a situation (but without OnStar), that alone is worth the measly $30 a month to me. You can’t put a price on life.
I agree that the Automatic Crash Response is worth all the money in the world. But the subscription is the same price for the person that gets to use there iphone app. No discounts are offered for the people that can’t get the FULL use of OnStar, like the ones with the newer vehicles. I have a 2007 Yukon Denali with all of the same features as the Cadillac Escalade, looks and runs like a brand new vehicle. I’m sure that a programing feature or kit for the older models can be used. I know it takes time, but I think GM and OnStar are sleeping on this….
i just stubmled upon this…..is there any word on updates?? i have a 2009 Tahoe…
Dan — there may be, depending on when you check the compatibility guide last.
Here’s the one we published a few days ago:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/12/here-are-the-gm-models-compatible-with-onstar-remotelink-app/
I haven’t seen any recent comments lately regarding the availability of the MyLink app for older vehicles and was wondering this: Now that FamilyLink is widely available as a web based product (at an additional $4/month, I believe) to give the location of our vehicle, why can’t that technology also provide those of us with the digital-based equipment (not sure which generation hardware that would be, but I believe it is found on most if not all 2007 and up GM vehicles) the features of the app, such as door lock/unlock and remote start? It’s appearant that Onstar has the systems in place to allow those of us with older vehicles to contact our vehicle (through FamilyLink web page) and request it’s GPS location without going through an Onstar Rep. (do they even provide that info?) How difficult would it be for Onstar to add the app’s features to the FamilLink web page? I subscribe to Onstar and Familylink and appreciate what they both have to offer.
That’s definitely an interesting question, Victor — thanks for brining it up.
As far as we’ve been told, the features that allow for the automated (non-attended) features of RemoteLink remote-start, door lock/unlock, etc. must communicate with gen. 9 OnStar hardware in the vehicle… my question, though, is whether OnStar FamilyLink works in/for vehicles that are not equipped with generation 9 hardware. Perhaps that’s a question I better ask of OnStar themselves…. 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Alex. Just to let you know, I have 2007 Tahoe, which does not have the gen 9 hardware and the FamilyLink works great. I can request location of vehicle anytime and often as I like. The only drawbacks I have noticed so far is that it is not real-time tracking and if the vehicle is in motion, the service returns the address of the vehicle the last time it was stationary until it stops again for a period of time that I have not been able to determine yet. FamilyLink is not feature rich at all but has great potential for giving us GM owners of older vehicles the ability to control other functions. Perhaps with time we may start to see the features added?
It would be a great business move it the onstar link worked on older models. I have a 2007 Tahoe and would love to have this option.
Any further news?
My 08 CTS could use this!
I bought a 2007 Tahoe, and I have AAA for my roadside assistance. I see no real reason to buy OnStar unless I could geek out on it with a remote app on my phone. if they want my monthly dues they should consider making a way for me to utilize the app too.
I would love to be able to use this on 2009 Tahoe. I have the service for onstar but app won’t work for this year . Is this coming anytime soon.
I do wish they made it compatible for my 08 Silverado but I guess it’ll never happen. I was told that even if I get the Viper SmartStart system to have that capability, it would conflict with onstar so the onstar would have to be disabled which means no more accident notification or nadda.
I would love to have all of these upgrades, i have always owned GM. I bought my 05 Duramax new and i’ve been a onstar subscriber since day one. I love my truck so I guess i’m looking elsewhere for the upgrades onstar cannot provide. Good-bye onstar.
I have and 08 Avalanche. I pay for the OnStar Monthly and recently learned of the OnStar Android app only to discover that my vehicle isn’t compatible according to the website. Then I found this blog with the last entry being May of this year. Is there any updates since then? In the blog it says that GM is working to make the app compatible with the 08 models…any news on that?
Whoops…LOL…Just realized I was only on page one when I added my comment. Guess people are still talking about this past May… still no news though? What’s taking them so long to make this compatible? I’d pay for a hardware upgrade if it meant using the app…providing the price was reasonable.
Just purchased a 2008 Cadillac SRX. I just got a free trial for 3 months of OnStar. I downloaded the app RemoteLink and to my disappointment I cannot use it for my 2008 vehicle. I came to this site and seen you wrote about the guy mentioning it was in the works back in 2010 and its 2013 and yet still nothing has happened for this app and older models pre existing the 2010 models.
Here we are and no new updates for 08 gmc vechiles. I have an onstar account and it will run out end of the year. If onstar cant get the mobile link compatible with my 08 then I will NOT renew. The CEO should have had a deadline or just flat out tell folks yes or no for 08 s
I let my Onstar expire on my 08CTS because of this. If GM enables my vehicle, I will renew.
Id just like to say for one im sure that onstar can make something for the od2 to make easy plug and play. So anyone with onstar that has all the cool stuff that only onstar can do over the phone will work with a cell phone app. And also 30$ a month for emergency response?!!!! It a unlawful act to pass anyone up that’s in a emergency situation life or death. So 30$ a month or u can lay there and bleed to death huh? Nice to know right! As for as I know 911 for an cell phone without any service plan can still dial out for 911 . If your out boating and u see a boat going down. You have to by law help the boat in distress. OnStar should suck it up as one of the acts by nature to provide u with help if need be, free of charge. It should be free to anyone that has onstar in there vehicle. Or hell at least 30$ a year not a month.
Just purchased a 2008 LT tahoe with remote start using the galaxy note3 will this new app work with my tahoe?
if it is a GM fault not in Dawnstar fault trying to peddle the newer vehicle so somebody can have a more technologically advanced piece of equipment. I also don’t understand why on star would not give a discount to services for the older models when the same price for the older models is the same price as the new models with the new technology why should I have to pay more for less
I’m with everyone else I just bought an 09 cts4 with the level 2 options package and sport package. from a cadillac dealership none the less and spent around $22,000, a family member of mine just a brand new chevy Cruze and spent approximately the same. What makes their money greener than mine? Why should they have access to the app for a Chevy cruise but not for a cadillac? We spent the same amount of money. I will say i do have onstar and like it. I just have the safe and sound package and some phone mins. I didn’t care for the navigation through them it wouldn’t retoute me around construction I tried atleast 3 times and they kept sending me the same way. I just bought a regular GPS it’s cheaper too. The monthly updates and theift protection is definitely nice to have. At least I can have them unlock the doors and run diagnostics on my car. I was very disappointed when I found out I couldn’t use the app tho. onstar would definitely gain a lot of business onstar for Our older cars should be cheaper then if we don’t have access to all the same stuff? That’s only fair..
Hi Alex,
2002 escalde can I have Bluetooth through the onstar system without buying minutes.
Please help. Officer law not happy with cell phone in hand and wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I ever injured anyone while using non hands free comm.
All the best.
I have a 2005 Envoy that I purchased 5 montbs ago. I have the onstar activated and like it features. Would like it more if the app wojld work too. I do not have the means to purchase new vehicles but would like it in the winter if Icoud remote start my vehicle through onstar.
My grandfather purchased a Yukon xl denali brand new in 2007, I bought it from his estate when he passed. I activated the trial only because the rep told me that I could use the app an since I was misinformed they gave me 3 more months for free, but as stated by previous commenters, if I have triple A and a cell phone, and the truck has in-dash nav, (cell, in dash, on-star) is triple redundant, if there is a way I could upgrade the hardware I would do it, otherwise when my free trial runs out I find no reason to keep it. I am looking for every reason to, and the app is the only reason I agreed to the trial in the first place.
I have a 2006 trailblazer. Had it since new. I also have OnStar. I feel that I should b able to get remote link
Do you have to have an OnStar subscription for your cell phone to access the hands free function? (2009 Cobalt)
I have a 2004 cadillac escalade esv very nice truck with all the bells and whistles this app would top it off and if cadillac avery good name cant have this app then something wrong thxs for your time
What is GM doing about the update for 08 GMC owner and their ability to use the remote link app and My GMC app?
So possed I just activated it on my 08! And I can’t use the app. FIX THIS OR IM NOT GONNA PAY. Why do people with 2011 plus cars get the option.
I have a 09 suburban with onstar and remote start. Why can’t I use app to start my ride?
I have an 05 Cadillac ads and the app don’t work as well it would be nice to be able to start my car with app especially when I’m bout to leave work in 20 degree weather and it been sitting for 12 hours
Cadillac sts
I have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche that is my baby. It is in top notch condition and I am as happy with it as I would be in a brand new one. I am 59 years old with 5 autoimmune diseases which often causes severe pain. I would absolutely love to be able to use the On Star system. Can it be done??
Have a 2002 Chevy Silverado 3500 that I purchased new. Most onstar units could be upgraded to digital. The one I have does not work at all. How serious am I about onstar: I have not purchased any GM vehicles for my business or my person. If this gives you any idea of how serious I took this.
Just purchase the 2006 Buick Lucerne won’t get OnStar until you can use the apps and would really like to have hands-free phone stuff and auto start. Help us please
Its pretty sorry that a manufacturer will still use OnStar knowing they wont allow older vehicles that were quite expensive to use this equipped feature. I have. Z71 Tahoe and today when inquiring with an onstar representative. I was rudely informed that “your vehicle is really old and no longer compatible with nice new vehicles”. Sad Sorry Service in my opinion.
Hi Alex, I have a 2004 Monte Carlo SS. I haven’t used On Star in years. However, I find myself now wanting to use it. I would love it if you could upgrade so that I could use the App on my phone. Thank you. I hope to hear from you.
I have a vintage Cadillac 1989 DeVille. Can Onstar be installed to give me hands free calling and Navigation ?
Can Onstar be installed in a 1989 DeVille to get hands free calling and navigation ?
My 2010 Buick Lacrosse will not allow pairing of I-phone 12 pro or other newer phones. The dealer informed me that the only fix it to replace the entire radio/control center as the hardware in the vehicle no longer supports the new technology. This is effecting not only the Buick line but many other GM models including Corvettes, the truck line and as seen on this site all of the on-star features. The cost was so high they didn’t even know how to price it or if it was actually a true fix as no one has done it. I reached out to Buick (GM) and told I was out of luck. Not a warranty, defective or GM issues. Very poor customer support!!! The fact that I now own an albatross that cannot provide the state mandated safety requirement for hands free cellular phone after 10 years is ridicules at best.