Chevrolet MyLink: What It Is, What It Does, and What to Know Before You Buy

If you're shopping for a used or new Chevrolet and keep seeing "MyLink" listed as a feature, you're looking at GM's branded infotainment system. It's been around in various forms since 2012, and understanding what it actually does — and how it's changed over the years — helps you evaluate whether a specific vehicle has the features you actually want.

What Is Chevrolet MyLink?

Chevrolet MyLink is the name General Motors uses for the touchscreen-based infotainment system found across Chevy's lineup. It controls audio, navigation (on equipped models), phone connectivity, and vehicle settings — all through a central display screen in the dashboard.

It's not a single, static system. MyLink has gone through multiple generations, and what you get depends heavily on the model year, trim level, and specific vehicle you're looking at.

How MyLink Works

At its core, MyLink is a human-machine interface (HMI) — the layer between you and your car's entertainment and connectivity functions. It typically includes:

• A touchscreen display (screen size varies by year and trim)
• Bluetooth audio and hands-free calling
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (added to most models from around 2016 onward)
• AM/FM/SiriusXM radio
• USB ports for device charging and media playback
• Voice recognition for hands-free control
• Integration with available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability (via OnStar on compatible models)

On higher trims and certain model years, MyLink also supports built-in navigation, though many drivers bypass this in favor of CarPlay or Android Auto navigation apps.

MyLink Across Generations 📱

This is where buyers need to pay close attention. "MyLink" on a 2013 Chevy Equinox and "MyLink" on a 2022 Silverado are not the same experience.

GM began rebranding and updating the system under names like Infotainment 3 on newer vehicles, though "MyLink" remains commonly used in marketing and window stickers. The underlying platform and feature set evolved significantly across this span.

What Trim Level Matters

Within any given model year, MyLink features aren't uniform across trims. Base trims often get a smaller screen and fewer features. Mid and upper trims unlock larger displays, built-in navigation, wireless charging pads, or wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.

For example, on a Silverado or Equinox, moving from an LS to an LT or Premier trim can mean jumping from a 7-inch to an 8-inch screen, gaining navigation, or unlocking a Wi-Fi hotspot subscription option. These differences are worth confirming on the window sticker or build sheet for any specific vehicle you're evaluating.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: The Key Compatibility Question

For most buyers, the most practical question about MyLink is whether it supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These protocols let your phone's interface take over the screen, giving you access to Maps, Spotify, messages, and calls in a familiar layout.

CarPlay and Android Auto were not part of early MyLink systems. They were phased in starting around 2015–2016 depending on the vehicle. If you're looking at a pre-2016 Chevrolet, confirm compatibility before assuming it's included.

Some 2019 and newer models support wireless CarPlay and Android Auto — meaning no cable required. Earlier implementations require a USB connection. That distinction matters for day-to-day convenience.

Built-In Navigation vs. Phone-Based Navigation

MyLink-equipped vehicles with factory navigation include Chevy's own map system, which operates independently of your phone. The upside: it works without cellular data. The downside: map updates can cost money and may not reflect newer roads as quickly as Google Maps or Apple Maps.

Most drivers with CarPlay or Android Auto find phone-based navigation adequate or preferable. Built-in navigation becomes more relevant if you frequently drive in areas with poor cell coverage. 🗺️

OnStar and the Wi-Fi Hotspot Connection

MyLink is designed to work alongside OnStar, GM's connected services platform. On compatible vehicles, this enables a 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi hotspot that any nearby device can connect to — useful for passengers or for keeping navigation apps connected in rural areas. The hotspot requires an active OnStar data subscription, which is separate from the vehicle purchase price.

Software Updates and Long-Term Usability

Earlier MyLink systems received limited over-the-air updates. Newer Infotainment 3 platforms on more recent Chevrolets support over-the-air (OTA) software updates, meaning the system can improve or add features without a dealership visit — similar to how a smartphone updates itself.

If long-term software support matters to you, the model year and platform generation become important factors to research for a specific vehicle.

What Shapes Your Experience

Several variables determine what MyLink actually delivers in a given vehicle:

• Model year — the single biggest factor in feature availability
• Trim level — determines screen size, navigation, and wireless capability
• Vehicle model — some features arrive on trucks and crossovers before sedans, or vice versa
• Optional packages — some MyLink upgrades are packaged with technology or convenience bundles, not sold individually
• OnStar subscription status — affects hotspot and connected services

A 2015 Chevy Malibu LS, a 2019 Equinox LT, and a 2022 Silverado LTZ all technically "have MyLink" — but the actual features, screen size, and smartphone integration between them are meaningfully different. The label alone doesn't tell you what you're getting.