GM rolling out native Apple Music app with Spatial Audio support – 9to5Mac

We’re nearing three years since GM started its transition away from CarPlay. The company started by ditching CarPlay in its EVs, but recently confirmed that it will “gradually” abandon the platform on more cars in the future. Needless to say, this hasn’t gone over well with the general public.

Now, GM has one bit of good news for its owners: a new Apple Music app rolling out for select Cadillac starting today.

GM says the new native Apple Music begins rolling out on Monday to “select 2025 and newer Cadillac and Chevrolet models.” The app will be “seamlessly integrated” into the infotainment system of supported cars:

Cadillac

• 2025 and 2026 CT5
• 2025 ESCALADE IQ
• 2026 VISTIQ, featuring Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
• More vehicles on the way with immersive audio

Chevrolet

• 2025 and 2026 Blazer EV, Equinox EV and Silverado EV
• 2026 Corvette, Suburban and Tahoe
• More vehicles on the way, including the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt

Buick & GMC

For Cadillac drivers, the implementation goes further with support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. GM touts that this turns your car into an “immersive, three-dimensional sound environment designed around the vehicle’s acoustics.”

Finally, GM says that it is making audio streaming standard as part of its OnStar Basics service for all 2025 and newer cars. This means customers can stream Spotify, Apple Music, and other apps at no additional cost for eight years from their vehicle purchase.

To make listening effortless, GM is making audio streaming standard through OnStar Basics for all 2025 and newer vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. That means customers can access their favorite music, audiobook, podcast, and news apps — including Apple Music — at no additional connectivity cost for eight years with their vehicle purchase.

9to5Mac’s Take

It feels like a bandaid for the CarPlay problem, but it’s a welcome addition for GM drivers. One has to wonder if the CarPlay transition might’ve gone over slightly smoother had GM’s infotainment system offered Apple Music support from the start. After all, we’re coming up on three years since that transition was announced.

For comparison, Tesla offers a native app for Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. There are also rumors that Tesla might soon add CarPlay support. Rivian, another CarPlay holdout, offers a native Apple Music app with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support.

Still, it’s encouraging to see GM making good on its promises to enhance its infotainment system.

The Apple Music app will appear automatically on supported cars via an over-the-air software update. GM promises that the availability across additional GM brands will follow.”