There is plenty to like about the OnStar RemoteLink 2.0 app, which features a new look and new functionality. We have been using the app since its release in January with various media vehicles and continue to love using it to find our car and to remote start it after a long trip. But outside of the already-existing functionality, we’ve identified the following three new features delivered by the new version.
1. 4G LTE Wi-Fi Data Tracker

The data usage tracker in the OnStar RemoteLink 2.0 app
Those with compatible 2015 (and newer) model year GM vehicles continue to have the ability to change the settings of their vehicle’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi system. But version 2.0 brings with it the ability to check the data usage of their vehicle’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi system.
2. Cleaner, Easier-To-Use Interface

The home screen of the OnStar RemoteLink 2.0 app showcases the app’s all-new user interface
Clearly the biggest change in RemoteLink 2.0 was the all-new interface. And there’s no two ways about it: RemoteLink 2.0 is gorgeous, featuring clear and beautiful topography coupled with updated iconography for one modern, easy-to-use, and good-looking app.
3. Pull To Refresh

The “pull to refresh” functionality on the data usage tracker of the RemoteLink 2.0 app
Bringing compliance with the latest iOS interface guidelines, RemoteLink 2.0 implements the “pull to refresh” feature. On appropriate screens, the user can simply “pull down” on the app to cause a refresh, thereby hiding the circle-like refresh button.
Bonus: iOS Universal App
As a bonus, RemoteLink 2.0 makes the app a universal app for iOS devices, which means that the app runs in the “native” size on both Apple’s iPhone and iPad. Versions prior to RemoteLink 2.0 ran on the iPad in either the 1x iPhone mode or the blow-up 2x mode, which simply blew the app up to fill the screen. RemoteLink 2.0 now dynamically adapts to the iPad’s screen, which is a welcome change for those using the app on Apple’s ubiquitous tablet.
What are your favorite features of RemoteLink 2.0? What are your least? What would you like to see changed or added? Sound off in the comments.
Comments
How about Love for Android……
I agree! There are more than ten Android smartphones for every ios phone in the world! The reason is obvious: Android phones offer more features for a lesser cost.
@jbisrite the app is also available for Android devices.
@Raymondjram do not confuse aggregate market share with user share. How many of the Android phones you are referring to are capable of 1) downloading and 2) running apps? Not as many as you think. Meanwhile, every iPhone sold today is capable of downloading and running apps, which are usually of higher quality for iOS devices in the first place (follow the developer money).
Why are you comparing sales of the iPhone (the proverbial Cadillac of smartphones) to Android devices (which are all over the board, spanning the gamut of low to mid to high end)? Seems like you have some thinking to do.
Ah, one more thing Raymond: why does every single study show that iOS users actually USE their devices more than Android users? For instance, web browsing and app usage is significantly more prevalent on iPhones despite the smaller installed base. You should think about these things before making far-reaching generalizations.
Wow, Chris you really jumped all over Ray, yet still didn’t disprove either of his points.
A) There are a lot of Android users out there.
B) Android phones provide a viable cheaper alternative than iOS.
Even in your comparison, you likened iOS to Cadillac and Android to everything below that level. With that comparison made (by you), shouldn’t the remotelink app also focus on Android users (which it does) and more directly to Ray’s and jbisrite’s comments, shouldn’t your article at least have made mention of Android devices? Inclusion was the intent I understood from their comments. To leave Android out of the article (since the app is available for both) and to go on the offensive in your comments here, doesn’t do much to promote a positive relationship between the readers and contributors to this site.
For the record, I also like the look and functionality of the RL 2.0 on both my (android) phone and tablet. It’s works great for me and very handy.
@Drum_Junkie
To address your claims:
A) Yes, there are a lot of Android PHONES. How many of these are actual smartphones capable of downloading, running, and updating apps? This number is much smaller than the general Android installed base.
B). Again, yes — Android PHONES provide a cheaper alternative to iOS devices (although the iPhone 5S is available for free with a contract form each major U.S. Cellular carrier). However, are Android SMART PHONES less expensive? No, they are not. If we were to do an apples-to-apples comparison (no pun intended), we would see that feature phones (which are not true smartphones) are cheaper, but also deliver inferior levels of performance, features, and functionality. It truly is the difference between a Cadillac and, say, an Acura. One is a full-fledged, properly-laid-out luxury car; the other is a half-baked rebadge of a Honda.
To address your comment further:
1. The focus of the article on which you are commenting is to identify features that are outside of the already-existing functionality of the pre-2.0 app that “benefit the most from the redesign” — the RemoteLink 2.0 redesign, that is. The three new features of RL.2.0, if you will. A version for Android is not a new feature, as the app has been Android-capable for a while. That is why it was not mentioned in the article.
2. “To leave Android out of the article (since the app is available for both) and to go on the offensive in your comments here, doesn’t do much to promote a positive relationship between the readers and contributors to this site.”
Again, Android functionality has nothing to do with the focus of the article. The focus was to identify three new features.
Finally, please don’t mistake correcting false notions presented as facts by Ray as “going on the offensive”. Out objective in the comments is to provide a healthy discussion based on factual information, which Ray’s wasn’t; at the very least, it did not provide the entire picture.
That said, if my comments offended you in any way, I apologize.
No apology necessary. I guess I’m not as familiar with the market as you are. I’m not aware of any of the Android phones you refer to that are NOT capable of downloading, running, updating apps. My fault for my ignorance there. I also didn’t know raymondjram was referring to feature phones in his comment. since you included a comparison of feature phones vs. iOS phones, I’m unsure if ray meant to include them or not.
Rereading his comment I now recognize the possible falsehood in the 10 to 1 market share (as opposed to installed base). I (mis)read that statement as intended simply to note that there are a significant amount of Android devices out there that are capable of running the Remote Link App. His other statement about their value is at best debatable. I’d rather not get into a discussion of Android VERSUS Apple. I was only commenting to lobby for their inclusion in the article WITH iOS. I was only advocating for not excluding Android from the article, which is what I thought ray and jb were doing as well. With that being said, I also was unaware that the Android didn’t have the same issues as the iOS between phone and tablet/ipad. So with you enlightening me on that, I realize the point for mentioning Android is moot. Sorry about that.
I bought my 2015 Sonic RS late January and have been using this app on my phone and tablet since February, so I was unaware of the improvements over the previous version of the app. My apologies for speaking without fully comprehending the intent of your article. Thanks for the education.
Ah yes, I can see how one wouldn’t be familiar with versions of RemoteLink before 2.0. No problem.
You bought your Sonic at a great time, since not only do you get to use RL 2.0 in your Sonic from the get-go, but you also have 4G LTE with Wi-Fi, with the former improving the performance/speed of the RemoteLink app significantly.
Also, great choice on your car. Hope you enjoy it thoroughly! 🙂
See you around on here,
Chris
I hope they will bring remote climate control for winter (mornings or evenings) when you want to jump in warm(er) car, or in summer for fresher car.
Until 2016 and Insignia presentation they have enough (much) time. 🙂
Well, that’s what adaptive remote start is for — which is already available on most high-end GM vehicles.
Performing a remote start (from the key fob or the app) will automatically run the HVAC to the appropriate temperature.
Can you set temperature from your app?
No you can’t. I think what Chris is saying is, why would you want to when adaptive climate control sets the optimal temperature automatically?
I spent the last week of February in Gatlinburg, TN. and it worked beautifully with my Android phone. I was able to start my 2015 Chevy Traverse from the comfort of the room, and enter a nice, warm cabin. Now in Miami you can step inside a nice cool cabin. It also controls my 2011 Camaro RS from the same app. Way better then the previous version.
My app on my iPhone 6 Plus is unusable. When I tried to get my forgotten username & password, or clicked on ‘get help’ from the log in page, it gives me a message telling me that my phone browser is on private browsing mode and restricting the app from working. Tells me to turn private browsing off. But I see no options for private browsing under Settings for Safari or Google! Help!!!