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 tried to buy minutes for my 2016 Corvette, my tenth. Astounded to learn that HFC is going away. I despise cell phones and have not gotten caught up in all the 3G, 4G, 5G nonsense. Didn’t have to worry about forgetting a cell phone or pairing a cell phone or if the cell phone was charged. Loved the friendly voice and the Corvette having its own phone number just as my 2011 Cruze did. OnStar Hands Free Calling beats the inferior systems offered by Ford, Chrysler and the rest hands down! This is most certainly about bottom line but I think that it will prove a short-sighted business decision. I’ll always buy Corvettes, but insofar as other vehicles go, OnStar was a selling feature.
Jack, I agree. I have an older CTS that I love and is in great shape AND I feel exactly as you do about the car having it’s ‘own number’ ! It was also much better than a cell phone which I usually didn’t have ‘handy’ and knew I just had to push one button! What a horrible decision!
What about those of us who don’t have a smart phone??? I’ve had OnStar on three vehicles for years. Although we don’t travel as much , we depend on the OnStar phone.
I’m disappointed that On star Hand free calling stops in February 2022. I’m hearing impaired and have not bought a cell phone because of my poor hearing. Hand free calling has been a big help to me not to mention the gps system. On star cut the weather and traffic without telling anyone and now the hand free calling. So why do I need onstar now??? I’m looking for another service. Please help me find another GPS/HAND FREE CALLING car service.
Thank You
You could get a cell phone with just talk and text and use Bluetooth for the hands free calling.
Also there’s a map app called “Here Maps “ I know it’s on Apple because I have it not sure about a android phone. You don’t need cell service either it works offline with the gps on your phone. You just download the states you want updates are free.
You can download the whole planet if you want to.
I wish I could help you but I’m not very tech savvy myself. I have a Smart phone but I don’t have it attached to my hip like most people and I don’t usually Carry it with me in the car. If I’m in an accident how will I get to my phone if it slides away. Or if I’m too hurt to use it. No one in the CEO offices seem to care at all
You can still get a plan if you get in a accident OnStar contacts you in the car to get you help. But the airbags must go off . If they don’t go off you gotta push the emergency button to call them like it always been.
Older drivers needed this service. It is better than cell phones.
I’ve been paying for hands free calling for years and never used it. It is only 30 min a month . That’s not even a short phone call to your mate to find out what to bring home from the store. And the minuts are not carried over to the next month besides being too expensive compared to your cell phone.
Not only will this effect hands on calling, which we use extensively, for older vehicles like my wife’s 2015 Camaro but we will also loose turn by turn navigation in 2022 per Onstar. My wife is on a liver transplant list and we rely heavily on turn by turn navigation for her out of state medical appointments. Guess we need to start looking for a new gps navigation system for her car.
Only HFC is going away nothing else. Everything else Onstar has is staying the same turn by turn, crash response, and all the other stuff
Tom I hope that is true but according to the Onstar rep I talked to yesterday turn x turn navigation will slowly start shutting down 6/2022 and be totally gone by 12/2022 for my wife’s 2015 vehicle. I had received and email earlier this year regarding the changes in 2022 that will impact her car and it also stated a plug in device for the vehicle to generate turn by turn would be supplied at no cost if requested within a certain time frame. The device was to work in conjunction with an app on our cell phone but the rep I talked to yesterday said it does not look like that’s going to happen now due to issues between Onstar and the carrier.
Per the Onstar rep turn by turn navigation is still up in the air as it’s a vital selling feature for them so maybe they will still offer it for older model vehicles. I have been a subscriber since late 2014 but if turn by turn navigation will no longer be offered for her car there is no other reason to continue subscribing.
Tom it would certainly help me if you would contact Onstar regarding turn x turn navigation for older 2015 vehicles and post back with your findings to clear up my confusion. Regards RudyP.
I never received a email about that so maybe it’s just older cars For turn by turn. If you got a cellphone try this app out for directions it’s free it’s called “Here WeGo maps & Navigation “ I know it is on iPhones because I have it , I’m not sure if it’s on Android though but I’m thinking it is I don’t see why they have it for one platform and not the other.
The best part is you do not need a cellphone connection for it to work it works off the phones GPS. It has free updates you just need to download the states you want or the whole United States. You can download the whole planet if you want to.
You can download as much or as little as you want. Also works if you’re walking. It has gas stations, restaurants etc.
Does anyone know why this is being taken from us, don’t we matter anymore??
The decision to drop hands free calling with OnStar may make sense to the accountants @ GM but to anyone who has had to use it when all other forms of communication failed, it will be missed….
For the majority of hours spent in a vehicle, hands free calling is primarily a convenience however, it’s true value is that it is a priceless a safety net and security feature when needed.
A few years ago our community was hit by a cat 5 hurricane that took out the power, phone, cable & all cell towers for 10 days the area was pretty dark. The only thing that worked was OnStar. We were able to call out of town relatives, access the internet to conduct business and even stream network news. That functionality convinced me that my next vehicle would also have OnStar.
I received email some months ago about on star sending me a item to.plug into my car,because hands free calling is gone
I called today no one know nothing.
I want to know what my service I pay for each month is for. I had 485 minutes left on my plan.
Give me back money and tell.me what else you are talking away. Very unhappy
Those two things mutually exclusive. The shutting down of the Hands Free Calling was a business decision by GM. The module that will have to be installed in the vehicles OBD II port and then paired with a downloadable app on your smartphone is due to the fact that cellular carriers will be shutting down the G2 and G3 cellular services that OnStar vehicles used prior to the 2015 model year. When that is done all the OnStar buttons on your mirror become inoperable.
What do mean, ‘all the buttons on the mirror will become inoperable’?? No ‘0n Star’….even the ‘emergency’? You mean, all you expect is that that everyone carry a cell phone…no ‘in vehicle’ convenience communication system?
Well, what a let down. So unique, and appreciated service and just throw it out now? Thx….NOT!
What do you mean “what do you mean”? If you have a pre-2015 vehicle you should have received a communication from OnStar about this. I’m not wild about the fact that I got that right after I had renewed for another year. I’ll probably install the module and use the app until my current subscription ends in Sept 2022 but after that no value to me in OnStar over what I could just use my cell phone for.
WHAT? You said ALL THE buttons won’t work. That’s what I asked….SO…NO I was NOT notified about this, I just happen to call On Star and the rep mentioned it! And, yes, I have a much older car, but, I intend on keeping it.
And, this stinks.
Never received information about HFC until I traded in my 2014 equinox.
I depended on having this phone service. Am very distraught that it is being cancelled.
First GM sold us on how much better OnStar was compared to a handheld phone and now they flip flop. In the last two months my monthly rate has increased $5 per month because of the app (which I don’t want) and OnStar has ripped everyone off by stealing our minutes. I understand you are retiring the system by Feb 2022, but you are not telling people the full story. OnStar is shutting down now by stealing your remaining minutes and refusing to sell you more. Thus, Hands Free Calling is dead! I praised GM/OnStar when it first came out but am sad to see how the system has degraded over time. Question: Will OnStar give us a credit for the minutes they stole?
I am very disappointed that hands free calling is being taken away. They do not roll over your minutes anymore. My phone numbers were stored in my On Star system and I only needed to say the name tag. I really don’t know what other services were taken away. It doesn’t seem worth it anymore.
Without HFC I will now do away with my OnStar account. I didn’t use the system all that much but it was reassuring to know it was there if needed.
Doug
not very happy about losing phone in the car as i don’t have a cell phone.
While I understand the angst of many about losing this feature I just don’t understand how anyone can function in today’s world without owning a cell phone. How to you take and receive calls at home? A land line, better hold on to your hat because the days of land lines are also numbered. The telcos view those as money pits to support and maintain and their days are numbered.
It really isn’t anyone’s business who has a cell phone or not. So what if they don’t, and they like the convenience of the car having one? Mr. Pate, why do you feel the need to try and discredit the opinions of others? Just because YOU you don’t agree with what someone says doesn’t mean you have to try and convince them they are wrong.
When I see opinions that don’t make sense I have no problem calling them out. Times change, adapt and change or be left behind. I mean you can always chose to abandon technology and live like the Amish too.
Mr Pate, Your sarcasm is duly noted. Not sure why it really matters to you why people disagree with this hands-free calling going away. Not everyone has to agree with you. And it is pretty pathetic that you think you need to call them out on it. You sound like one of those people that talk at people rather than having a good dialogue with somebody and listening to all points of view. Do the Amish do that? Do you know everything about that too?
What I REALLY don’t get looking at this thread is that GM has made a business decision based on some very sound technical and financial info and people just keep crying and begging for them to change their mind. It isn’t going to happen, just accept that. Remember, as a former GM CEO so famously said. “GM is NOT in the business of making cars, GM is in the business of making money.” Hey I know my GM stock doing just fine under Mary’s leadership.
While technology does change and improve, remember that OnStar was sold as being a much better option than traditional cell phones. Based on many of the responses, you will see that those benefits still apply today. OnStar has a higher power transmitter and external antenna which makes a big difference compared to a Smart phone sitting inside a metal cage. My complaint is with ethics. OnStar reported that the system was going down in Feb. Not true. The system here in Los Angeles is down now. In addition, no compensation is being given for lost minutes. Since OnStar received payment for those minutes, it’s unethical to take them away without warning people to use them. I was under the impression we had until Feb 22, the announced shut-down date.
Yes, GM has made a business decision & I am happy that your GM stock is doing so well, however business decisions have consequences despite your blithe dismissal of people’s valid concerns. Many of us have chosen GM vehicles because of the availability of HFC for one, not because we don’t have cell phones/technology but because of the capability of making calls when driving through dead zones, when driving alone through unfamiliar areas, when in accidents or experiencing medical emergencies. I have a reasonably new 2018 XT5 & it doesn’t fit with some of the rather feeble reasons GM has given to others with older vehicles for the sunsetting of HFC. I did not receive any information regarding the February 2022 sunset for any one of the 3 GM vehicles we have had over the last 12 months (with the 2009 Acadia going to our son). I would hate to think what may happen when HFC is gone & there are more natural disasters like the tornados in Kentucky, the flooding in Washington state or the wildfire in California when all landlines & cell towers are no longer working & the only way to communicate would have been HFC. I’m positive there was absolutely no thought given to such a consequence by those who made such a mere business decision. GM may be in the business of making money, but they are also going to be held accountable for every business decision that could put peoples’ lives in potential jeopardy.
I could’t agree more.. HFC is the only method of communication that worked for our community after a cat5 hurricane took out the cell service, land lines , power lines & internet for 10 days.
100% agree and when I pressed a GM rep I was told that the phone in HFC will work on a gen 3 and 4 phone lines but not 5g lte when I asked how come you insinuate that it is a satellite phone, I was told I didn’t get my facts straight, well for them to put a 3g phone in my 2020 Tahoe and make me purchase it without ever having HFC available is borderline criminal, next car I purchase is a Q7 Audi. Bye bye Gm
I’m am very disappointed with losing my phone. As of today I had over 1400 minutes that will expire at midnight tonight. To me, that is unacceptable! Now I’m, not only considering dropping on star, but even buying a GM vehicle again !!!
I’m am very disappointed with losing my phone. As of today I had over 1400 minutes that will expire at midnight tonight. To me, that is unacceptable! Now I’m, not only considering dropping on star, but even buying a GM vehicle again !!!
Obviously, someone didn’t like my comment !
Don’t you wonder if they want us to all drop them and then next year they will offer it at a much higher rate? Seems everyone is just out for #1, themselves