It all depends on what you want to do with the app.
I don't have a paid OnStar account, and can still use the app, but only the very basic features.
If you want remote keyfob (precondition, lock/unlock), then that requires a paid OnStar account.
There are threads here on how much that costs... Apparently you can get that down to well under $100 a year.
I'm not haggler personally, so not doing that myself...

And as people are always good at reminding, free services are never free. ;-)
(Not saying it is a bad thing... )

 

I have a 2019 Bolt and I think we got 5 years free with the MyChevrolet app. Mine has stopped working. I can no longer unlock/lock doors, check charge, pre-condition cabin temperature, etc. The cheapest plan is $14.95 a month! While I liked these features I often only used them a couple of times a year. There is NO way this is worth $14.95 a month to me. Maybe that much for the whole year I'd pay. I miss the MyChevrolet app.

I never did Sirius Satellite or the hot spot (Why would you pay for a hot spot that just duplicates what your phone can do? I never understood that.), I don't want all the other OnStar junk, but basic car functions, I want back.

 

After the initial free 3 month trial, I let it expire. Been using the myChevrolet app all along. What exactly is happening for you?

 

Basic car connectivity functions will eventually expire. Door lock, cabin temp, state of charge, tire pressure levels. etc. I can't see anything on my app anymore.

 

The app has a prompt requiring an OnStar account before using it. I read horror stories of OnStar not ending charges on credit card after trial period. I see no free level at OnStar Plans & Pricing | OnStar Pricing other than the trial link. And read varying stories about app availability after trial period expires.

I do not understand the need for a phone service in my car, when I have a phone, so I see the entire OnStar model as antiquated and a money grab. I would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for mobile app software support if that were an option.

Seeing some recent related threads pop up below now below this one. Apologies if this is redundant posting, please feel free to delete, move , moderate.

 

The only login I've ever used for the myChevrolet app is my GM account, nothing specific to OnStar. I, too, have not felt compelled to pay for OnStar.

 

This gave me brief hope. I am logged into app with my GM account, and have this prompt showing and can not find anything useful in the app other than being nudged to contact OnStar on each screen:

Am I missing something?
Thank you for replies!

 

So, I believe without On-Star or any version of GMs paid subscription, they will still send you a monthly report of diagnostics... which is just a sell on oil changes, air filter changes, accessories, maybe recalls, but they are obliged to tell you that anyway. GM does have a paid subscription without OnStar for things like remote lock/unlock and climate control, remote start. OnStar is good if you want roadside and emergency assistance, and to some this might be worth the fee.

What I am still trying to figure out, as a new 2023 Bolt EV owner, is exactly what subscription I need to keep my car connected to my local utility for a rate discount based on when I charge my car. I'm sure if I ask GM I will never get a straight answer.

 

What I am still trying to figure out, as a new 2023 Bolt EV owner, is exactly what subscription I need to keep my car connected to my local utility for a rate discount based on when I charge my car. I'm sure if I ask GM I will never get a straight answer.

I am checking with my Tesla friend who does this - charges at off-peak times-, but googling appears to show that service can go through your personal local Utility service. Scheduling when your car charges is through the myChevrolet app? Thats' nice if so, but can also do this through the Info HUD iirc. Here is an example for a South Carolina utlity:
ChargeSmart Electric Vehicle Rate Plans - EmpowerAuto - Santee Cooper

with a cool graph:

(I am so still learning all of this stuff.. lol)

 

I can barely remember back in January when I bought my Bolt, but I believe I did have to set up an OnStar account. I never gave a credit card number or anything else. I did receive a few calls from OnStar to purchase the higher levers and I declined. I can see my charge status and tire pressure. I can do a remote start and lock/unlock the doors but that's about it.

 

Mine never had that invitation to activate OnStar, perhaps because it was already activated at the dealer on the 3 month free trial from when I bought it.

What happens when you activate OnStar?You can always cancel at any time - including presumably right away.

 

The connected services are free for 5 years, sxm 3 months, wifi one month. Your dealer should have helped you set up a mychevrolet account when you bought the car new, mine did. If you bought it used, a gm dealer should be able to setup an account for you, and transfer any remaining free access to you, the new owner. The warranties transfer too, or should. If you didn't buy from a gm dealer, good luck.

 

Your dealer should have helped you set up a mychevrolet account when you bought the car new,

That's the problem. Your dealer will set you up for a long sales pitch call with an OnStar rep. It's easy to make a mistake and accidentally activate a subscription service you didn't want like I did.

Then when you cancel, you have nothing because the subscription service replaced your "free for 5 years" package.

I think in theory if you know the right "Secret menu" item you might be able to get it back in a long phone call, but call center reps should be aware of this package and you should not have to explicitly reference it by name to get what you paid for with the vehicle. One of many ways in which GM gets away with not giving you what you paid for.

 

I'm looking at a new Bolt now. On the window sticker, it says 3 years of connected service included. However, as some have already pointed out, it's all through OnStar and once they get their teeth in you, it's like trying to shake off a Chihuahua. Not that easy to stop a subscription through them. To me, OnStar is the absolute worst part about the GM experience, and I've been buying GM cars for over 40 years.

 

Haven't really had any difficulty with OnStar. If you don't give them a credit card number, what are they going to do?

 

update for me: Just wanted to check out the myChevrolet mobile app for my bolt. It took 3 phone calls to get it to work and properly activated.

And just to learn, that I do not really like the app. The alarm button is first thing to come up when logged in, seem like very poor app design. Rest of Onstar services are unnecessary and very overpriced.

I did not give them my credit card, so officially on have 1 month of Onstar services & mobile app usage; we will see if they turn off access to the app.

 

Hello, new owner of a 2020 Bolt EV LT. Love the car.

Hilarious and sad that the myChevrolet app appears to require an OnStar account? And there appears to no longer be a free option for OnStar, if ever there was one, from what I saw.

I would say Chevrolet/GM is disappointing but this is about what I expect from them. My friend with Tesla has an amazing app, and no monthly fee for usage.

Thank you for any guidance on either using the myChevrolet appor some other app on my phone for no monthly fee.

I won't pay for OnStar either. Your friend with the Tesla probably paid two to three times for his car than what you paid for a Bolt. He should get a free amazing app plus other benefits like free charging etc. I just don't think OnStar is necessary for me. Everyone is different. If I was taking frequent long trips I may reconsider.

 

Reply may be a bit late but posting in case someone is looking still for an answer. The dealer should have given you info how long you get free remote access (ie you do not need a paid Onstar plan). If you don’t remember, login to your GM account on the website (not the app) to check how long you have free remote access. If you’ve been using remote access and suddenly the “Start” button is gone and is replaced by an activate Onstar message with an I’m ready button but you are still within your free remote access period, do this: 1-Sign out from the app 2-Manually sign in to the app by manually typing your password (don’t use fingerprint or face id or any other auto sign in feature). 3-That should fix it. If not, delete and reinstall the app. Manually sign in (step2) 4-If still not fixed, then unfortunately you have to call Onstar tech support

 

I had to get Onstar tech support to help

 

did they force you to a paid sub or were they able to restore your remote services for free?

 

I use OnStar because my Bolt is parked too far away for bluetooth to work and I am not line of sight for my keyfob. I assume OnStar works because of cell phone connectivity and that GM only allows OnStar Over-the-air access. I wonder why someone hasn't figured out how GM codes OTA access?

 

This really is a joke. I used to use the my chevrolet app to check the status of my charge. Now they make me pay for onstar?

I'm considering in 2 months a Chevy EV Blazer OR a Tesla Model 3.

Not smart Chevy, this sort of silly cheap meNu we pushes me into a Tesla. Doesn't the cost of a list sale warrant making an app that doesn't irritate your customers ? Let go of your greedy marketing genius.?

 

You have to press the onStar button in the car to complete the activation of your myChevy app. They will tell you about some deal with credit card and I just said no. Do not give credit card. Then they activate the app. It's good security because someone would have to be in your car talking to onStar to get remote control of the vehicle.

 

8 months later for me - no Onstar subscription here - for the Chevrolet mobile app:

• The remote Start feature seems to work for me when I tried it last week. Yay!

The charging status and other remote features seems to have stopped working / updating, the Charging status stuck , not updating for past 12 days. Oo oo the app updated after being open for 5 minutes! Hooray!

It took an app re-install to get this far. I can only hope that it improves! I certainly do not rely on this app for anything. Had seen some mentions of trip planning in it in the forums, but can not trust it.

 

8 months later for me - no Onstar subscription here - for the Chevrolet mobile app:

The charging status and other remote features seems to have stopped working / updating, the Charging status stuck , not updating for past 12 days. Oo oo the app updated after being open for 5 minutes! Hooray!

Thanks for this info. I rarely used the Chevy app and am tired of being required to update the app every time I happened to use it. I only ever check charge, tire pressure, or odometer. Last time none of that worked from the app (but the horn worked) so I assumed that my time had run out on the freebie that came with the purchase. But if it takes 5 minutes to update I think it would be more effective for me to walk to the garage and just get the info I need rather than futzing with continually updating that app every time I might wish to find out the info.

 

My dealer setup my chevrolet.com account when I bought my Bolt. The same logon is for the app. You only need connective services to use the app. You don't need all the other OnStar stuff.

 

The myChevrolet app has been working for me the last few weeks, and it has been very handy:

Currently on an extended road trip, visiting family and doing a LOT of Level 1 charging, I can update the charge speed to 12 amp from the app. Being able to check the charge state from the living room is also super nice.

There was a period last week when it did not update for 4 days, but then I toggled the 8 amp to 12 amp charge speed, and that seemed to re-awaken the app, and it has been working great last few days.

 

If you don't have the OnStar connectivity, you get some app access with KeyPass (via Bluetooth) if you're in range. But not SOC or tire P. I get SOC via BT using an OBD logger, That's all I really need; throwing $$ at GM for additional access when I'm not near the car isn't worth it to me.

 

1. Sorry, SOC? I am sure I'll go "oh, duh" when you tell me what that is.
2. OBD Logger! - I have wanted to get one. Can you point me to one that you recommend?
3. So, Key pass... I am a software engineer, so not your average computer-naive old lady. Since I have had my 2019 Bolt I have had maybe 3 different Android phones, currently a Pixel 6. I have never been able to connect to Key Pass. I have spent HOURS and HOURS sitting in the garage in the car, on the phone to tech support and still, I can't get key pass to hook up. What's the secret? Does anyone really get this to work on the older Bolt? Should I try again? I have given up for the last couple of years.

 

Just make sure you TURN OFF the SmartDriver feature lest GM sell your data to insurance companies!! GM says they will begin removing the feature, but it may already be too late for you. See the NYT article published on 4/23/24.

 

GM "supposedly" no longer sells your data. GM tells NYT it stopped selling data...

 

It all depends on what you want to do with the app.
I don't have a paid OnStar account, and can still use the app, but only the very basic features.
If you want remote keyfob (precondition, lock/unlock), then that requires a paid OnStar account.
There are threads here on how much that costs... Apparently you can get that down to well under $100 a year.
I'm not haggler personally, so not doing that myself...

And as people are always good at reminding, free services are never free. ;-)
(Not saying it is a bad thing... )

Hello, new owner of a 2020 Bolt EV LT. Love the car.

Hilarious and sad that the myChevrolet app appears to require an OnStar account? And there appears to no longer be a free option for OnStar, if ever there was one, from what I saw.

I would say Chevrolet/GM is disappointing but this is about what I expect from them. My friend with Tesla has an amazing app, and no monthly fee for usage.

Thank you for any guidance on either using the myChevrolet appor some other app on my phone for no monthly fee.

 

I just purchased the Corvette C8 and I was told by support I have to subscribe to Onstar to use the mobile app. I have a Jeep Gladiator a Ram Rebel and a Tesla Model 3 and have everything about them on my my phone via thier respective apps for no charge, no montly fee. It seems very cheap and petty for GM to require a monthly subscription to an 80k car, when others are free.
Just venting!!!! I will not being paying a subscription to use my phone for this car. It is a money grabbing scam.

 

I have:
2021 Bolt EV, purchased 5/2021
Everything in the App works, Controls, Location, Charge Management, Tire Pressures, etc.

2023 Bolt EUV, purchased 8/2023
Everything in the App works, Controls, Location, Charge Management, Tire Pressures, etc.

I have NEVER subscribed to OnStar, Never.