OnStar Hands-Free Calling Will Be Sunset in 2022
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With the proliferation of smartphones, some in-vehicle technology features are going the way of the dodo. The latest victim is the OnStar Phone feature, also known as Hands-Free Calling, which is slated for official retirement in just a few years’ time.
According to GM Authority sources, General Motors plans to sunset the OnStar Hands-Free Calling service in 2022. At that point, all vehicles on the road still equipped with the feature will no longer have the ability to make calls using the OnStar Hands-Free Calling system.
Last year, we exclusively broke the news that General Motors was discontinuing the OnStar Phone Feature. At the time, we spoke with Stephanie Lang, General Motors’ Advanced Technology Communications, OnStar and Connectivity representative, who indicated that GM would discontinue HFC for 2020 model year and newer vehicles.
OnStar HFC was first made available in the late ‘90s, arriving as the industry’s first built-in calling feature provided by an automaker. HFC is separate from the Bluetooth-based hands-free calling system that connects to a smartphone, and is operated primarily through the infotainment screen, or with voice recognition commands. Users could originally purchase minutes through OnStar, and each vehicle was assigned it’s own unique phone number.
Arriving prior to the proliferation of smartphones, and indeed before the proliferation of cell phones in general, the OnStar Hands-Free Calling system was ahead of its time. Even now, with widespread smartphone adoption, the system remains useful for those who prefer not to have a smartphone, but still want to make phone calls on the move.
Unfortunately, the system is now headed for retirement. However, it’s important to note that the Hands-Free Calling feature uses the vehicle’s built-in OnStar system and model, and that Bluetooth smartphone connections, as well as the various features of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, will continue to be available as they are now.
Are you disappointed to learn about the retirement of OnStar HFC? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more OnStar news and ongoing GM news coverage.
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Just found out today (1/17/2022) when I went to purchase additional minutes. Very upset about losing this service. My remaining 175 (paid for) minutes are just gone with no refund. Not fair !!! Sorry GM, no more GM autos for me since their products become obsolete without any upgrades available.
Right there with you…. it’ beyond upsetting. Something we’ve depended on for a very long time. A safety net. Worked every time, no matter where we are. Especially, during a hurricane, when everything is down, we can contact the outside world using HFC.
Spoke with OnStar Sunday evening…. They wouldn’t even extend the minutes to February. The lady I spoke with, could have cared less. So, the 513 unused minutes went away, and service ended today 1/17/22.
GM and Verizon could have come up with a solution. Big mistake for GM…. LOYAL GM customers will drop OnStar, and take their business elsewhere when purchasing new vehicles.
I agree with your comments. I think I paid for 300 minutes and with NO refund offered. I love the car I drive, but so disappointed with GMs policy with On-Star. I relied on the phone capabilities, because of severe hearing disabilities!!! This is the PITS !!! And with NO recourse!!!!
Jan 2022, just tried to renew my Onstar hands free calling minutes and found out it has been discontinued. That is terrible! I’ve used it when stuck in a miles-long out-in-the-boonies traffic holdup due to a fatal accident on the 2 lane road, calling my wife who was expecting me at the hospital for her operation. She had our only cell phone, and our 2014 Impala was my “phone” on the road. At other times when my cell phone would not work, Onstar would! In our state we have many areas where there is no typical cell phone coveerage. I was and am willing to pay the usual price to keep the service. If is no longer available on GM vehicles, I will check other companies such as Kia and Ford to see if there is anything similar when it comes time to replace the Impala. I’m really sad this service has ended!
Your team that came up with this plan to discontinue HFC all need their heads examined. This has to be the absolute worst idea ever. We have driven Cadillac products for 20 years and my parents before that! What is wrong with your thinking?? Discontinue HFC is the stupidest idea you have come up with yet. Idiots! What would make you decide to stop the best part of your service. Big big mistake. This will go down as stupidity at the highest! You guys really are idiots!
Absolutely, very well put. So many people depended on HFC and GM needs to rethink this stupid decision to end it. This was the best feature in GM vehicles. It was so convenient and I felt secure knowing it was available. Like so many I will consider buying something other than GM. Idiots!
GM will not be in our future after a lifetime of buying only GM products. Shame!
I am very upset that GM has decided to discontinue the OnStar HFC feature. I have used that feature since I purchased my 2013 Equinox brand new.
OnStar HFC feature offered me more of a sense of security than the OnStar Accident etc monthly package I pay for and have never had to use.
I have a “smart” phone, very subjective, and the signal and coverage area are sparse/lacking quite often. I love pushing the button and purchasing 300 mins for $20. Just knowing I have a backup communications feature means more than having a spare tire.
HFC came in extremely handy when I would accidently leave my phone at home or failed to have a charger in the car for it.
I just upgraded to Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and can not keep it paired with my vehicle’s Bluetooth feature. I also have a cellphone tower with in 10 miles from my home and my phone is dropping calls constantly. Yes, I’ve complained to Verizon about that issue. But back to why I mentioned the cellphone tower and my cell dropping calls made me so mad but being able to step outside and make a call from my HFC feature has been a saving grace for me numerous times over the 9 years I have owned my GM vehicle.
If GM is no longer going to equip their vehicles with features above what their competitors offer why should I or anyone else upset about this truly unnecessary change continue our allegiance to GM. I’m in the market now for a new vehicle and am glad I learned about GM’s plan to ‘sunset’ such an invaluable feature. Shame on GM.
GM if you find a way to sacrifice on this end in updated innovation with HFC, it could be to your advantage, and strategically put you in a space in the automotive industry that is once again for invaluable. marketing safety and price selecting. Don’t divest such a priceless tool that could continue to earn millions while giving customer satisfaction, loyalty, and number one auto distinction. Think about. I can help with other features as well. I am a innovator with my first pending patent, and a 23 year GM automobile owner. I know the value you bring!
I loved the feature, specially when I forgot my phone and needed to make a call, now days is not like the old days that you used to find a payphone anywhere, don’t know why GM took out the feature.
One thing I liked was when I went to work in the middle of the night and had to call the state police a few times they actually come faster using Onstar instead of a cellphone. Probably because of a 3rd party on the line .
Now that I’m retired doesn’t matter now.
It wasn’t using HFC but I canceled everything now.
I have a feeling a lot of people will cancel it.
why would you take away the phone service put leave the other parts working? then you do not give an upgrade, I see you rather see people using their cell phones while driving to smash up. why would you want my email for? you not going to fix this.
Part of the problem is that the phone companies are all discontinuing 3G service and many of the GM vehicles only have 3G system and no software to update the system used in those cars. The new vehicle have 4G system but you have to pay more for that system.
Absolutely true, so if you have a newer car with HFC you have been sold outdated equipment from GM, I never had the choice to add or remove On Star, I just had to pay for it like it was a seat belt. But in comparison I was getting a 1970 seat belt in a 2020 vehicle. GM probably didn’t think the revenue stream was worth it to keep up with the technology, and to that I say GM is not worth buying another vehicle from again. I have driven mostly GM vehicles for the last 46 years, but when my Malibu and Tahoe are ready for a renew, I will not be going into a GM dealership to purchase a vehicle, I wonder if they care about that revenue stream?
HFC was the only reason I kept paying their outrageous yearly fee. I am DONE with Onstar
Bob Nunley Just took my 2019 Equinox in for a safety sticker, Talked to Service people, parts people and sales people. All of them were surprised to learn that this was happening. In Parts the Mirror Version was still on display and available to purchase for installation in any vehicle. When I asked about HFC I was told that the On Star company, not GM was making changes. Sales assumed that the loss of HFC would not be important because a plan was in place to up grade the soft ware to allow use of [email protected] 5G or better with any cell phone over the vehicle internet connection. When I explained that the Wilson Boster will do the same thing for any car several jaws dropped….When I left the On Star HFC screen would not place a HFC Call offering only a discussion with On Star from the car. With my phone in the cup I used the current version of vehicle software to do a HFC from the phone. I know that 5G [email protected] is running now here but the 3G LTE version is also still working.
Most of the new cars are now being sold with some kind of internet access so the purchase of minutes from On Star is what is going away. In the end there is no real motivation to stick with GM any more. Hooraw!
Come up with a fix or add on!
Dream on. GM makes little to no profit on this and they want to kill it off. Folks complaining about it on here not going to change that.
You want GM to notice,stop buying GM products, I know I have spent my last dollar at any GM dealership
we will use the
services and parts departments until we trade the car, but will not purchase another GM vehicle
As can be seen by so many of the previous comments Hands Free Calling is a NESSARY OPTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do NOT have a cell phone, my spouse does, I don’t need the added expense of one. I count on Hands free Calling when I drive especiallyin an emergency.
PLEASE DO NOT STOP THIS OPTION!
Well today I tried to get minutes for my 2018 and 2019 trucks and was informed its no longer in service. Well that’s very unfortunate and something I relied on. In the event I lost my cell phone or got out of range of the tower or my cell battery died or quit working ect…. I’d have the truck phone as my back up and I have had to use that feature many times mostly due to a cell phone problem. Would sure be nice to get that back in operation!
Big mistake discontinuing the hands free calling! I will not buy a GM vehicle next time!!