Over-the-Air (OTA) technology allows some vehicle software updates for certain vehicle components to be downloaded and installed over a wireless connection. This technology provides a convenient way to update your vehicle with some of the latest available software. This functionality is available on OnStar equipped Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles* (Requires an OnStar equipped activated vehicle. See FAQs for equipped vehicles.) from 2021 onwards.  

Downloading and installing vehicle software updates requires an active 4G LTE or Wi-Fi® connection* (If connected to a paid network such as a personal mobile device hotspot, home network or public network, data charges apply). To be eligible for Over-the-Air vehicle software updates for your vehicle, you must have an activated vehicle by accepting the User Terms for OnStar Connected Services and Privacy Statement for that vehicle.

Important: During vehicle software update installation, the vehicle is disabled and cannot be driven during the installation. There is no option to cancel or override the installation once started. Therefore, customers are presented with the option to “Download/Install” or wait for a more convenient time using the “Remind Me Later” or “Schedule” (if available) options; or they can exit the vehicle (the update will be offered on next ignition cycle for up to 30 times). If they select “Download/Install,” the customer will be asked for acceptance twice — both the estimated time for installation and a statement that the vehicle will be immobilized for the time of installation — on the vehicle’s touchscreen.

Here’s how the vehicle software updates work:

• Notices of updates can be sent to your vehicle or you can manually check for updates via the touch-screen
• When an update is made available for your vehicle, you will receive an in-vehicle notice upon your next ignition cycle or the next time your vehicle is placed into PARK
• There are two steps to the process: software download and software installation. The specific steps required to download or install may vary by vehicle.
  • “Download/Install”: You can choose from the below options for the download and installation processes:
    • Download: You can continue to use your vehicle normally. After the download is complete, you will be prompted to accept installation upon placing the vehicle in PARK, or on your next ignition cycle
    • Install: Choose “Install now” or wait for a more convenient time using the “Remind Me Later” option. Once the installation has begun, the vehicle will be disabled and cannot be driven. Once installation has begun, you may turn the vehicle off and do not need to remain in the vehicle
  • “Remind Me Later”: This selection gives you the option of being prompted about the update after a duration of your choosing 
  • “Dismiss/Next Time”: If you choose this option, you will be prompted about the update after your next ignition cycle. The number of times you can dismiss an update notice may vary 
  • “Schedule” (2021 vehicles and newer): If you choose this option, you will select the time that you’d like the update to install
  • “Decline/Delete”: If you choose this option, you will not be reminded again, and the update will not occur. Instead, you can take your vehicle to your dealer to perform the update at a later time
    
    

Here is how the process works, depending on your selection:

1. Download:
   • You can continue to use your vehicle normally during the software download. The download will automatically pause and resume if you turn off your vehicle or lose connectivity during the download (e.g., if you pull into a parking garage)
   • Once the software download is complete, you will be prompted to accept the installation of the downloaded software update upon your next ignition cycle or the next time your vehicle is placed into PARK.
2. Installation:
   • For most updates, the vehicle will be disabled and cannot be driven during the installation:
     • Please park your vehicle in a safe and secure location
     • You will not need to remain in your vehicle during the installation
     • Features such as door locks, windows and chimes may not work during the installation
     • If you leave the vehicle, do not lock occupants inside
   • You can choose to ‘Install’ now, or wait for a more convenient time using the ‘Remind me’ later option or ‘Schedule’ (if available) or simply exit the vehicle (note the update will be offered on next ignition cycle for up to 30 times)
   • In certain circumstances, as part of the normal process, you may notice that your radio display stays on for up to five minutes after you turn off your ignition and open your driver’s door
   • You may notice one or more system resets during the installation process

You will receive success and error messages as needed from the system during and after the download and installation processes.

Download and install times will vary depending on the size of the update and the wireless signal strength.

Vehicle software updates can only occur if vehicle conditions are adequate, especially sufficient battery state of charge.

To confirm if your vehicle supports Over-the-Air vehicle software updates, go to the "Settings" menu in your infotainment system and look for either of the following:  

• Under the "System" tab, go to the "Vehicle Software" section and look for "Updates."  
  
• Choose "Software Information" and then look for "System Update.”   

If you see these options, your vehicle supports Over-the Air vehicle software updates. Steps may vary by vehicle. To be eligible for vehicle software updates for your vehicle, you must have an activated vehicle by accepting the User Terms for OnStar Connected Services and Privacy Statement for that vehicle.  

Note: If you declined the User Terms for OnStar Connected Services and Privacy Statement for the vehicle, the vehicle will not be eligible for vehicle software updates.   

The first step is to accept the download of the software. Download times will vary depending on the size of the update and the wireless signal strength. You can continue to use your vehicle normally during the software download.  
  
Once the software is downloaded, you can begin the installation process. Your vehicle will be immobilized (i.e., will not be usable/drivable) during this portion of the process. This cannot be overridden once the installation has begun.   
  
Vehicle software update installation times will vary depending on the component being updated and the contents of the update. The in-vehicle notice will provide the estimated completion time for the installation. Generally, the software installation is expected to take 20 minutes or less.

During the software download, you can continue to use your vehicle normally. The download will automatically pause and resume if you turn your vehicle off or lose network connectivity during the download (e.g., if you pull into a parking garage).

During the installation, the vehicle will be disabled and cannot be driven for most updates:  

• Please park your vehicle in a safe and secure location  
  
• You will not need to remain in your vehicle during the installation  
• Features, such as door locks, windows and chimes, may not work during the installation  
• If you leave the vehicle, do not lock occupants inside  
• You may notice one or more system resets during the installation process  

Yes. Vehicle software updates launching on select OnStar equipped models* (Requires an OnStar equipped activated vehicle. See FAQs for equipped vehicles.) can be performed by your servicing dealer. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about a vehicle software update, you may contact your servicing dealer for assistance.  

Depending on the specific message or error received, many vehicle software update situations will resolve on their own through natural use of the vehicle. For example, a message regarding a download or connection error may occur in situations where the vehicle has limited cellular connectivity. In that case, the situation will be resolved once the vehicle is moved back into an area with sufficient cellular connectivity. Another type of message that could result indicates the vehicle conditions for software update download/installation are not ideal at this time. In this case, a drive cycle could improve conditions, such as battery charge, by turning off autostop during your next drive cycle for more aggressive battery charging.  

For remaining questions, you can contact an OnStar^® Advisor by pressing your blue OnStar button or by calling the toll free number in your respective country. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about a vehicle software update, you may contact your servicing dealer for assistance.  

Yes, for both download and installation notifications, you can do any of the following:   

• Select "Dismiss/Next Time" or dismiss the screen by pressing the "X" in the upper-right corner of the message. You will be reminded again after your next ignition cycle  
  
• Select "Remind Me Later"; you will have the option of being prompted about the update again after a duration of your choosing 
• Select schedule (2021 vehicles and newer), then select a time that you will not be using the vehicle when you’d like the update to install 
• You can also choose to ignore the message and continue using your vehicle normally. You will be reminded again at a later time  

Overall, the system will attempt to remind you about the update (dependent on the type of update) and then will stop presenting the download or installation notice. If you choose “Decline/Delete”, you will not be reminded again, and the update will not occur. Instead, you can take your vehicle to your dealer to perform the update at a later time.

Go to "Settings" in your infotainment system and look for either of the following. Steps may vary by vehicle.

• Under the "System" tab, go to the "Vehicle Software" section and look for "Updates."  
  
• Choose "Software Information" and then look for "System Update.”  

If you choose “Decline/Delete”, you will not be reminded again, and the update will not occur. Instead, you can take your vehicle to your dealer to perform the update at a later time.  

In some limited cases, certain vehicle settings may be reset as a part of the software update process. In those cases, communications regarding the update will include information regarding the involved settings, including relevant instructions for how to re-establish the settings. 

Yes. To manually check for software updates, go to "Settings" in your infotainment system and look for either of the following. Steps may vary by vehicle.  

• Under the "System" tab, go to the "Vehicle Software" section and look for "Updates."  
  
• Choose "Software Information" and then look for "System Update.”

To be eligible for Over-the-Air vehicle software updates for your vehicle, you must have an activated vehicle and have accepted the User Terms for OnStar Connected Services and Privacy Statement for that vehicle.  

The status of several vehicle systems and factors are checked before starting the installation. If your vehicle does not meet the necessary conditions (for example, if your battery state of charge is too low), you may receive a message stating that vehicle conditions are not ideal and the system will try again at a later time.  

No, the download uses the vehicle’s embedded connection. If you connect to a plan (even your in-vehicle one, if applicable), data rates will apply. To be eligible for Over-the-Air vehicle software updates, you must have an equipped vehicle and have accepted the User Terms and Privacy Statement for OnStar and Connected Services for that vehicle.   

You will primarily be notified about a software update in your vehicle via the in-vehicle head unit touchscreen and can select “Learn more” on the update screen when offered. This will provide update release notes about the improvements included in the update.   

Communications such as physical letters, emails or SMS may be sent to you as appropriate if the need arises.