Cadillac and Chevy to Integrate Apple Music Directly into Vehicles

General Motors is set to integrate native Apple Music into the infotainment systems of select 2025 model year Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles. This move comes as the automaker aims to enhance the in-car experience by introducing more native app functionalities, compensating for the lack of popular phone mirroring options like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Apple Music will be available in 2025 and newer Chevy and Cadillac models via an over-the-air software update. This update will be accessible through GM’s OnStar Basics package, which is included at no extra cost for eight years on all 2025 and newer vehicles. Eligible models include the 2025 and 2026 Cadillac CT5, 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, and the 2025 and 2026 Chevy Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV, along with the 2026 Corvette, Suburban, and Tahoe. Buick and GMC vehicles will receive Apple Music support at a later date.

For Cadillac owners, GM highlights that Apple Music is a leading provider of spatial audio through Dolby Atmos. The new Cadillac Vistiq, for instance, features a standard 23-speaker AKG sound system that supports Dolby Atmos. This integration allows Chevy and Cadillac owners to start streaming music immediately upon entering the vehicle, eliminating the wait for CarPlay or Android Auto to connect. Additionally, users can control their music selections hands-free using the vehicle’s voice assistant.

GM describes the addition of native Apple Music as a way to “expand entertainment choices built directly into our vehicles,” according to Tim Twerdahl, GM’s vice president of global product management. The automaker has been one of the few globally to limit phone projection, which many customers use for apps like Apple Music. GM believes that its native infotainment system can deliver a superior experience compared to services like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The company has removed phone mirroring capabilities from most of its electric vehicles, and GM CEO Mary Barra recently indicated plans to phase out support for these features in internal combustion engine vehicles as well. However, following customer feedback, GM clarified that it does not intend to alter the functionality of vehicles that currently support CarPlay and Android Auto.

Alongside Apple Music, GM is also introducing support for Apple Wallet and Digital Keys.