General Motors Finally Adds Built-In Apple Music to Its Cars

Image: General Motors

General Motors is taking another step toward deeper software integration inside its vehicles, announcing today that Apple Music is now available as a built-in app across select 2025 and newer Chevrolet and Cadillac models. The rollout begins immediately and will expand to additional GM brands and vehicles over time, giving drivers native access to Apple Music without needing to rely on a smartphone connection.

With the new integration, Apple Music is fully embedded into GM’s infotainment system, allowing drivers to stream millions of songs, curated playlists, exclusive content, and live global radio directly through the vehicle. Because the app runs natively, it can take advantage of the vehicle’s processing power, connectivity, and audio hardware, rather than acting as a mirrored phone app.

“We are bringing the Apple Music app to GM vehicles in a way that takes full advantage of our industry-leading audio capabilities,” said Tim Twerdahl, Vice President of Global Product Management at GM. “It’s the latest example of how we’re expanding entertainment choices built directly into our vehicles.”

At launch, GM’s Apple Music app is available across Cadillac’s 2025 and 2026 CT5, 2025 ESCALADE IQ, and 2026 VISTIQ vehicles, alongside Chevy’s 2025 and 2026 Blazer EV, 2026 Equinox EV, 2026 Silverado EV, 2026 Corvette, 2026 Suburban, and 2026 Tahoe lines. Others will join the rollout over time, including the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV.

GM says the experience goes beyond basic streaming. In equipped Cadillac models, Apple Music unlocks Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, delivering a more immersive, three-dimensional soundstage designed specifically around the vehicle’s acoustics. In vehicles like the Cadillac VISTIQ, GM highlights its 23-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos–enabled speakers, creating what it describes as a studio-like listening environment.

Image: General Motors

Another notable perk is connectivity. GM is making audio streaming standard through OnStar Basics for all 2025 and newer vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. This means drivers can stream Apple Music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more at no additional connectivity cost for up to eight years. According to GM, customers can “start streaming the moment they enter the vehicle” and use voice controls for hands-free playback.

Apple Music will appear automatically in eligible vehicles via an over-the-air software update. Existing subscribers can sign in with their Apple ID, while new users can sign up directly from the dashboard.

At the same time, GM also confirmed plans to support digital car keys in Apple Wallet. While no timeline or specific models were announced, the feature will allow drivers to lock, unlock, and start compatible vehicles using an iPhone or Apple Watch, with support for Ultra Wideband, Power Reserve, and key sharing. Rivian is also preparing to support digital car keys across Apple Wallet, as well as Google’s and Samsung’s wallet platforms.

Despite these Apple-focused features, GM remains committed to its controversial decision to remove Apple CarPlay from its vehicles. That stance hasn’t changed, even as Tesla — one of the most vocal opponents of CarPlay — appears to be testing integration of Apple’s in-car platform.

The move highlights GM’s strategy: selectively embracing Apple services like Music and Wallet, while continuing to push its own software ecosystem as the centre of the in-car experience. To that end, the legacy automaker also recently announced plans to bring an AI assistant powered by Google’s Gemini models to its vehicles starting in 2026.