OnStar Connect Plus is a subscription service that adds remote vehicle features to your General Motors vehicle

OnStar Connect Plus layers extra capabilities on top of the standard OnStar service that comes with most new GM vehicles. The base OnStar service includes emergency calling and roadside information. Connect Plus adds the ability to lock and unlock your doors, start your engine, and locate your vehicle remotely through a smartphone app or web portal.

The service works through a cellular connection built into your vehicle. When you send a command from your phone — say, to unlock your car — that request travels to OnStar's servers, which communicate with your vehicle and execute the action. You need an active OnStar account and a subscription to Connect Plus to use these remote features.

Not all GM vehicles support Connect Plus. The service is available on most 2015 and newer General Motors vehicles, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick models. Your vehicle's year, make, and model determine whether the hardware is already installed and whether you can add the subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • OnStar Connect Plus lets you lock, unlock, and start your vehicle from your phone, separate from the basic emergency and roadside services included with OnStar.
  • The service requires both an active OnStar account and a paid Connect Plus subscription, which is not included in the base service.
  • You access remote features through the OnStar mobile app or the OnStar website, available on iOS and Android devices.
  • The cellular connection that powers Connect Plus is built into your vehicle and requires an active data plan, which OnStar manages separately from your phone plan.

What Remote Features Connect Plus Includes

The core features of Connect Plus center on vehicle access and starting. You can lock and unlock all four doors from anywhere with a cellular signal. You can also remotely start your engine, which is useful for warming up or cooling down your vehicle before you get in. The app shows you your vehicle's location on a map, updated in near-real-time.

Connect Plus also includes the ability to set and receive alerts. You can get notifications if your vehicle is moved without your key fob, if someone tries to unlock it, or if it leaves a geographic boundary you set. These alerts arrive as push notifications on your phone.

The service includes access to your vehicle's diagnostic information through the app. You can check fuel level, tire pressure, oil life, and battery voltage without opening the hood or sitting in the driver's seat. This information updates periodically as your vehicle communicates with OnStar's servers.

How to Add Connect Plus to Your OnStar Account

If you already have an OnStar account, you can add Connect Plus through the OnStar website or mobile app. Log in with your existing credentials, navigate to your subscription settings, and look for the option to upgrade or add Connect Plus. You will see the current pricing for your region and vehicle model.

If you do not yet have an OnStar account, you will need to create one first. This requires your vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can find on your registration or on the driver's side of your windshield. OnStar will verify that your vehicle supports the service during account setup.

Once you have added the subscription, the remote features should become available in the OnStar app within a few minutes. If they do not appear, try logging out and back in, or uninstalling and reinstalling the app. If the features remain unavailable, contact OnStar customer service — they can verify that your vehicle's hardware is properly connected.

What the Service Costs and What It Covers

OnStar Connect Plus pricing varies by region and vehicle model. Some GM dealerships offer promotional pricing or trial periods when you purchase a new vehicle. Pricing typically ranges from a monthly subscription to an annual plan, with annual plans offering a lower per-month cost. You can find current pricing by logging into your OnStar account or calling OnStar directly.

The subscription covers the remote features themselves — the app, the server infrastructure, and the cellular connection between your phone and your vehicle. It does not cover your vehicle's built-in cellular data plan, which OnStar manages separately. Some new vehicles come with a complimentary data plan for a set period; after that, you may need to pay for data separately, depending on your vehicle and OnStar's current offerings.

If you cancel your Connect Plus subscription, you lose access to the remote features, but your base OnStar service (emergency calling and roadside information) continues if you have an active account. You can reactivate Connect Plus at any time by adding it back to your subscription.

How to Use the OnStar App for Remote Commands

read the OnStar app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Sign in with the same credentials you use for your OnStar account. The app will show your vehicle on a map and display available commands at the bottom of the screen.

To lock or unlock your doors, tap the lock icon. The app will ask you to confirm the action — this prevents accidental commands. You will see a confirmation message once the command reaches your vehicle and is executed. The entire process usually takes five to ten seconds.

To start your engine remotely, tap the start icon. Your vehicle will crank and run for ten minutes, then shut off automatically. You can extend the runtime by sending another start command before the ten minutes expire. Remote start will not work if your doors are locked, your windows are open, or your vehicle is already running.

The app also displays your vehicle's current location, fuel level, and any active alerts. You can set up geofence alerts by drawing a boundary on the map; the app will notify you if your vehicle moves outside that area. These notifications arrive as push messages on your phone.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

If a remote command fails, the most common cause is a weak or absent cellular signal where your vehicle is parked. OnStar's network relies on standard cellular coverage, so vehicles in areas with poor signal may experience delays or failed commands. Move your vehicle to an area with stronger signal and try again.

If the app shows your vehicle's location but remote commands do not work, your vehicle's data plan may have expired. Check your OnStar account to see whether your vehicle's data subscription is active. If it has lapsed, you will need to renew it through OnStar before remote features will function.

If you recently added Connect Plus and the features do not appear in the app, log out completely and log back in. Sometimes the app cache prevents new features from displaying when ready. If that does not work, uninstall the app, restart your phone, and reinstall it.

If remote commands consistently fail even in areas with good signal, contact OnStar customer service. They can check whether your vehicle's hardware is properly communicating with their servers and whether there are any account-level issues preventing commands from reaching your vehicle.

When Remote Features May Not Work

Remote start will not function if your vehicle is already running, if the doors are locked and you have not unlocked them remotely first, or if your windows are open. Some vehicles also disable remote start if the battery voltage is too low.

Lock and unlock commands require a cellular signal. If your vehicle is in a basement, a parking garage with poor coverage, or a rural area with no signal, the command may fail or be significantly delayed. The app will show an error message if the command cannot reach your vehicle.

If your OnStar data plan has expired or your subscription to Connect Plus has lapsed, remote features will not work even if the app is installed and you are logged in. You will need to renew your subscription or data plan through your OnStar account before commands will execute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Connect Plus if I do not have a smartphone?

You can access some features through the OnStar website on a computer or tablet, but most remote commands require the mobile app. If you do not have a smartphone, you can call OnStar customer service and request that an agent execute commands for you, though this is slower than using the app directly.

Does Connect Plus work if my vehicle is turned off?

Yes. Lock, unlock, and start commands work whether your vehicle is running or off. The cellular module in your vehicle stays powered even when the main engine is off, so it can receive and execute commands. Remote start will turn on your engine; other commands straightforward change the state of doors or systems.

What happens to my data if I cancel the subscription?

Canceling Connect Plus does not delete any data. Your vehicle's location history, alerts, and diagnostic information remain stored in your OnStar account. If you reactivate the subscription later, you can access that information again. OnStar retains account data according to its privacy policy.

Can someone else use my vehicle's remote features if I share my OnStar password?

Yes, anyone with your OnStar login credentials can access the app and send remote commands to your vehicle. For security, do not share your password. If you want to let someone else use remote features, contact OnStar about adding an authorized user to your account, which some vehicles and subscription levels support.

Is there a monthly data charge separate from the Connect Plus subscription?

It depends on your vehicle and when you purchased it. Some new GM vehicles come with complimentary data for a set period. After that period ends, you may need to pay for a data plan separately from your Connect Plus subscription. Check your OnStar account or contact OnStar to see whether your vehicle's data plan is active and what the renewal cost would be.