I have spent plenty of time testing General Motors infotainment systems over the years, and the transition to the new Google built-in platform has been a massive shift. While GM took some heat initially from purists for moving away from traditional phone mirroring like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, their long game is finally..sorta…maybe coming into focus?

General Motors just announced a massive over-the-air software update that unlocks more than 200 new apps directly through the native Google Play Store for eligible Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick vehicles.

Whether you are gearing up for a long weekend haul or just killing time in a school pickup line, this update transforms your center display into a full-fledged entertainment hub. It is a smart update that actually delivers real-world utility just as road trip season peaks.

Here is exactly what you need to know about how the rollout works and how it drastically improves the passenger experience.

The Google Play store interface displayed on a Buick Enclave infotainment screen under the section Pass time while parked, showing app icons for Haystack News, Google Chrome, Tubi, Peacock TV, Max, and NBA Live.
Josh’s Buick Enclave displaying the updated Google Play Store interface with a dedicated menu for downloadable car-compatible entertainment apps.

Driver Screen Entertainment: Pass Time While Parked

When the transmission is in park, the main center display now acts like a massive tablet, but now with the more of the same apps you want to actually use. GM and Google have collaborated to add a dedicated “car compatible apps” section inside the vehicle’s native Google Play Store to make finding your new favorites easy. 

If you are waiting for a fast charge to finish on an EV or sitting parked at a rest stop, you can now launch a huge roster of games and interactive content. You can play chess, shoot hoops in a basketball app, solve crossword puzzles, or practice on a digital piano. More importantly, you get access to a laundry list top-tier streaming services directly on the main screen.

To get rolling, you just need to be logged into your Google Account and have an active OnStar data plan to download and stream these new additions.

A close-up shot of an animated cartoon episode of City Island Road Trip USA playing on a Buick Enclave's wide infotainment screen with digital playback pause and rewind overlays.
Native media apps scale beautifully to match the wide aspect ratio of the new Buick Enclave dashboard screens.

Rear Seat Entertainment: Keeping the Peace 

If you own a full-size GM family hauler, you know that keeping the rear passengers entertained is the secret to a successful road trip. While the driver is strictly locked out of video content while the vehicle is in motion, the front passenger and rear passenger screens are getting a serious upgrade.

The new software rollout brings native streaming applications directly to the passenger displays. This means passengers can log into their own personal streaming accounts and access a massive catalog of movies and shows without needing to clumsily cast content from a secondary smartphone or tablet.

The current lineup of available streaming apps includes:

  • AMC+
  • Disney+
  • Hulu
  • Tubi
  • TuneIn
  • ViX
  • YouTube and YouTube Kids

GM also confirmed that native apps for Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and Spotify are coming soon to the passenger screens, allowing everyone in the vehicle to curate their own audio vibe. Do yourself a favor: pack multiple sets of Bluetooth headphones to keep the peace across every seat on those long highway miles.

An animated red convertible car driving across a vintage-style illustrated map of the United States, displayed fullscreen on a Buick Enclave infotainment screen.
The new over-the-air software updates maximize screen real estate for a seamless lifestyle entertainment experience while parked.

Which GM Vehicles Are Eligible?

Not every vehicle gets the full suite of features. The rollout is split based on the vehicle’s model year, trim tier, and hardware capabilities. The update is deploying over-the-air right now. Once it hits your system, the new options will automatically populate in your Google Play Store interface.

Feature Set Eligible GM Vehicles Functionality
Parked Entertainment (Driver Screen) Select 2024 and newer Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac models with Google built-in. Access to games, streaming, and 200+ new apps while the vehicle is in Park.
Passenger Screen Streaming (While Cruising) Select 2025 and newer full-size SUVs: Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, and Celestiq. Independent streaming and audio apps on front-passenger and rear-seat displays while in motion.

As General Motors continues to refine the Google built-in ecosystem, we expect to see even more applications optimized for these high-resolution displays. If you have an eligible vehicle, check your update status and get those apps downloaded before your next big summer road trip.

Join the Discussion in Our Forums

Are you running Google built-in in your truck or SUV? Does adding over 200 native apps make up for the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto mapping shortcuts? Let’s talk about it in our community forums: