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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I personally like the HFC and am very disappointed that it is going away. I currently have a 2018 Silverado, before that a 2013 Silverado, before that, etc., etc. All of our vehicles since the 90’s had this feature and it has been invaluable. Just had to push one button, and then talk to the rear view mirror. It is really great. So sorry to hear of it’s demise in 2022.
I hope the car lock out feature still e ists. I use it al.ose once monthly
GM could screw up a 1 car funeral. They got greedy w pricing for OnStar and that is what killed it.
We live in rural southern Ohio. Also drive in WV and KY. Frequently no cell phone service, no matter how “smart” the phone. Handsfree always worked. Bought Chevys last 10 years because of Ontsar and handsfree phone. GM keeps taking away things that make them more user friendly vehicles. We will look at Subaru for our next SUV purchase.
This is interesting. The obvious followup question is how this will affect the other OnStar voice-based services (emergency calls, customer service, remote vehicle diagnostics, etc.).
I have a Chevy Bolt EV, and OnStar is always the most disappointing point of the car.
No, I don’t want to pay you $14+ a month to tell me how much battery I have left + remote start + remote unlock. Nissan and BMW offer this for free.
I’m *Definitely* not paying $29 / month for hands free calling.
OnStar and their “you gotta talk to someone to adjust your billing plan” is bs as well. They literally give you an online account, buy hide all billing info from you in a obvious attempt to let people “forget” they’re paying for it.
I guarantee if OnStar just charged reasonable prices for their connectivity, they wouldn’t have to revert to these shady practices.
BMW charges $50 per year for their Connected Drive services after the initial 3 month free trial.
Nissan Connect is free for the first 3 years, then costs $12 per month.
I have owned my Chevy for over 5 years now and have been paying for the highest tier plan the whole time. I have never pressed the OnStar button. Not once. Might be time to downgrade to a lesser plan. The only things I really care about are emergency response and vehicle diagnostics/monthly vehicle report.
The Connective Drive on the BMW i3 is (was?) free for 5 years, Same for Nissan Connect for the Leaf. You also don’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops to activate them. Go to their website, setup an account, punch in your vin, give them a credit card number and they show you what you’re paying monthly.
Nissan Connect is also an open platform, you can hit openly documented software API’s and access your car’s information via your own apps,scripts,code,etc.
No doubt the “Emergency” aspect of OnStar is nice. The remote connectivity to your phone is also a *great* (especially for EV’s). However $14, $29, $39 a MONTH? BMW is $50 a year, thats $4 / month.
I don’t think anyone would be complaining about OnStar if they charged $4 a month… but they don’t, they charge $10 for 60 minutes of talk.
OnStar *MUST* know they’re not priced correctly, my only guess is they setup contracts with AT&T like 15 years ago for their cellular coverage and are stuck paying a 2020-outregious price.
Very disappointed. I’ve used it to call my parents in their car and my husband. When sometime there smart phones were not working. I used it everyday when getting off from work. It was way easier than my smart phone. I just press a button and call. Dont have to mess with bluetooth hook up while trying to leave the parking lot.
I purchased a new 2019 last year, will the navigation app on the infotainment still work without OnStar? I should have listened to my wife and bought a Kia.
Only the actual onstar phone,which most dont use anymore, will be effected. This change will have no affect on any of OnStar connected services or apps!
Wow, so since my ’07 Onstar doesnt support Bluetooth, I’m screwed for making any hands free calls after this feature ends !!!
Wow !! Since my `07 OnStar system does not support Bluetooth, I guess I’m screwed after this feature ends for making hands free calls !!!
To those complaining about this going away, get ready for more of this. Most cell phone companies are sunsetting their 3G services, which those without 4G modules in their GM vehicles will lose service. That will be a bigger issue than being able to make calls.
GM sent out a notice to bring your vehicle to have 4G upgraded in your vehicle…where were you?
What vehicle do you have because I haven’t received anything for that?
Nor have I for my Buick LaCrosse!
Had it for 10 years and feel safe, really only used it for directions, so that will be a few more dollars, since I lost my job to covid. Thanks On Star
Disappointing. I have relied on the calling plan many times in remote areas that my phone is useless at. I guess I’ll be screwed by GMC.
So I just got a 2020 Chevy, and my Bluetooth ony phone does not work, I rely on the HFC to make calls, so I don’t have it in my new car? Great, now I’m really excited
Wow this is very disappointing they keep removing features but keep charging the same amount. They got rid of the traffic report and the local weather. I used that when I traveled and was great. Now I loose my vehicle phone service. Onstar what are you going to start adding to make up the losses your taking away from your customers? Time to second guess staying with you all.
Typical GM ! Owning Buick’s for decades has forced me to shop elsewhere. And losing the cool feature add fuel to the fire.
People need to learn how to read, OnStar is not going away ithe the Hands free calling that is,honest ly the phone service is a joke you have to buy min. And they are use them or lose them,the smart phone is better technology anyway
I travel in many rural area for business and use HFC when my cell phone has no service. I wish they would reconsider.
Regarding Frank’s comment of use the minutes or lose them. They won’t take them if you complain, which I did. They don’t want to lose subscribers, but now they are going to lose a bunch of subscribers.