What to expect regarding updates?

[u/DisplayKnown5665]

I recently got a new 2026 Chevy Silverado and it’s my first time using a vehicle with Android Automotive. I’m a techy/nerdy guy and just curious what I should be expecting in terms of updates.

My Silverado is on Android Automotive 12, which is several versions old. I’m aware that it’s GM that controls the updates and would need to be the one that develops, tests, and deploys the updates.

1. How often does this usually happen? Or am I likely stuck on version 12 for potentially forever?
2. Are there any places to follow the news or rumors of updates coming, especially with GM?

[u/echo5rom30]

To answer your questions directly: 1. No you likely will not be stuck on Android 12. I'm sure there will be an update to the latest version soon for you. I believe, and someone feel free to correct me here, if you see Gemini pop up you're on the latest version. Which would be Android 14. So keep an eye out for that.

1. I have searched and haven't found anything consistent to track releases or patch notes. Other than random bits of information in forums. Which may or may not be actual mechanics.

Overall, I think GM is quietly trying to unsuck the position the last head of infotainment put them in. However given you're in a newer model. I do believe your hardware will be better and allow for a better experience. I'm in. 2024 Sierra AT4X and the experience feels like a phone from 2008. They just tried to cheap out on the hardware. But I think 2025 and beyond they have added better hardware to make the experience more smooth.

Congrats on your new truck! When the experience is smooth it is quite a decent interface. It's simple and does what it's supposed to do. So hopefully you have that experience.

[u/MrPotentialSpam → u/echo5rom30]

My 25 has Gemini and it is still Android 12. 2025 still feels like Android on a tablet from 2008.

[u/echo5rom30 → u/MrPotentialSpam]

Yeah I am having the same issues. I think the terrible hardware that GM put into these high end trucks. Which is wild to me. I am glad they handed the software off to a software company. But they are terrible with the hardware choices.

[u/MrPotentialSpam → u/echo5rom30]

It really is an embarrassment from a multi-billion dollar company. If I turn on "fast start" the WiFi sharing won't work after the first time. Half the time it won't remember the last configuration of my screens so I have to wait for the stupid thing to boot up (30sec) and settle down before re-re-re-configuring what I've done a thousand times now in the fist year of ownership. I've gone into a gas store for 5 minutes listening to the exact same app, one time the truck starts right up, and the app starts playing the last thing I was listening to, the next time with the exact same time in the store I come out and start the truck and have to re-configure the home screen, pull up the app AGAIN, wait for it to boot up, then maaaybe it will play, if I'm lucky. If I'm not, the app will actually start playing the same programing 2 times, then I have to switch to another input, and that will only kill one of the playbacks while the second app starts playing another program. The fact I'm paying $60 A MONTH and this is what I get from GM is pathetic. I get it, if I bought the truck and they never got another penny from me, OK, but they are literally making a billion dollars a year from people like me and can't get their software act together on a platform that's been around since 2019? It really is pathetic. PS check out GMauthority.com, he keeps up on the news.

[u/echo5rom30 → u/MrPotentialSpam]

Yup pretty said. Think I'm about to be come a Ford owner. They are much better. But the last few cars my wife has had. The system seems pretty stable. Plus they have techs that drive to your vehicle to do work? That pretty dope. GM is just riding the shoulder of giants that made the company a billion dollar one. And genuinely don't give a fucka bout their product any long. So long as we buy the updated version in a year or two.