You don’t have to buy a data plan to use google maps!

[Cryptocap]

So after my data plan ran out, I was curious if I would be able to use the built in Google maps on my 22 Tahoe.

I used the hotspot on my phone and connected my Tahoe to it. Once I did that the built in google maps was online, without having to use CarPlay. So no data plan through onstar is needed for these features to work. It will look like below when connected to a phone’s hotspot.

Below is a another thread that answers questions about the built in features.
Question on Google Maps

 

[cgator67]

So after my data plan ran out, I was curious if I would be able to use the built in Google maps on my 22 Tahoe.

I used the hotspot on my phone and connected my Tahoe to it. Once I did that the built in google maps was online, without having to use CarPlay. So no data plan through onstar is needed for these features to work. It will look like below when connected to a phone’s hotspot.

I always thought this would be the case.. glad you tried it and confirmed.

 

[Cryptocap]

I always thought this would be the case.. glad you tried it and confirmed.

Yea it would have been a bad deal for Google to have their software built-in and not usable.
I knew I had seen info about it and I thought it was in the owners manual but it’s actually on Google’s support page.

Use Google built into your car without a mobile data plan or internet connection - Cars with Google built-in

Note: Gemini is now available for cars with Google built-in. Compatibility and availability may vary by car manufacturer, language, region, and data plan. For more information, contact your vehic

support.google.com

 

[Jb504]

Does Wireless CarPlay still work for streaming music?

 

[Eusibius2]

@Cryptocap thanks for posting this.

 

[mbd2015LTZ]

Yes please explain what phone you are using. My iPhone hotspot won't show, likely because CarPlay is connected. Do tell!!

 

[BG1988]

So after my data plan ran out, I was curious if I would be able to use the built in Google maps on my 22 Tahoe.

I used the hotspot on my phone and connected my Tahoe to it. Once I did that the built in google maps was online, without having to use CarPlay. So no data plan through onstar is needed for these features to work. It will look like below when connected to a phone’s hotspot.

View attachment 364045

Below is a another thread that answers questions about the built in features.
Question on Google Maps

it might be cached

 

[mbd2015LTZ]

it might be cached

No, if you can connect the vehicle to a wifi connection they'll load. Mine wouldn't load, connected the Tahoe to my home wifi and boom they loaded right up.

EDIT: Now if I could just get my phone hotspot to connect, I'll keep up to date!

 

[BG1988]

No, if you can connect the vehicle to a wifi connection they'll load. Mine wouldn't load, connected the Tahoe to my home wifi and boom they loaded right up.

EDIT: Now if I could just get my phone hotspot to connect, I'll keep up to date!

does the home wifi extend pass the drive way?

 

[mbd2015LTZ]

does the home wifi extend pass the drive way?

Of course not, was just curious if they'd load. Not the end of the world, CarPlay and apple maps is just fine. More annoyed that not all features are just there and working!

 

[Cryptocap]

Does Wireless CarPlay still work for streaming music?

Yes, CarPlay still fully works.

Yes please explain what phone you are using. My iPhone hotspot won't show, likely because CarPlay is connected. Do tell!!

I have an iPhone 12 Pro. I use both CarPlay and the hotspot at the same time.

Once you turn your hotspot on it’s not popping up under the WiFi connections in the settings on the Tahoe?

I have a shortcut setup as well so that when my phone connects via Bluetooth the shortcut runs and opens to the personal hotspot in settings and then I just turn it on. It runs once CarPlay disconnects for me to turn the hotspot.

 

[Shrubs2K2]

I have an Andoid but I use a program called "Tasker". When the app see's the vehicle's SSID, it activates my phone's hotspot automatically. When I turn off the vehicle and the SSID is no longer live, it turns off the phones hotspot. It was easy to set up thanx to a youtube video.

I say this as maybe Apple has something like this.

 

[Cryptocap]

I have an Andoid but I use a program called "Tasker". When the app see's the vehicle's SSID, it activates my phone's hotspot automatically. When I turn off the vehicle and the SSID is no longer live, it turns off the phones hotspot. It was easy to set up thanx to a youtube video.

I say this as maybe Apple has something like this.

That is my end goal, but it only works if the iphone is jailbroken. The closest I have been able to get is the shortcut automation I described. But I still have to toggle it on/off myself. Hopefully Apple opens it up more in the future to allow the same thing Tasker does for you.

 

[H1Chester]

So what does connecting your vehicle to your iPhone hotspot really do for you? I got mine connected this morning and when opening Google maps on the infotainment (not through car play) I still got the disclaimer at the bottom stating that all services would not be available without a data plan. Tested Google assistant and it could find some nearby gas stations and give me directions. Speed limit sign on dash still hashed out.

 

[ccfdad]

I always thought this would be the case.. glad you tried it and confirmed.

Can you still use CarPlay when connected this way or do you get booted?

 

[Cryptocap]

Can you still use CarPlay when connected this way or do you get booted?

Yes, you can still use CarPlay and run the hotspot simultaneously. If your hotspot doesn’t show up in the list of connections, you can manually enter it. It’s the name of your phone that displays at the top of the infotainment screen, or located in your phone’s settings.

 

[CablDeViL]

Make sure your hotspot setting is not set to "Maximize Compatibility" (Iphone only) then boom It connected. But google apps still don't update via home Wi-Fi or cell hotspot. And my speed sign on the dash stopped working.

 

[Crzylgs]

I have Maximize Compatibility turned off on my iPhone and the '22 Tahoe won't connect to the iPhone hotspot. Any other settings that I need to be aware of? The main thing I am wanting in the speed limit to show no the dash. I am not logged into a Gmail account on the vehicle if that matters.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I have Maximize Compatibility turned off on my iPhone and the '22 Tahoe won't connect to the iPhone hotspot. Any other settings that I need to be aware of? The main thing I am wanting in the speed limit to show no the dash. I am not logged into a Gmail account on the vehicle if that matters.

Speed Limit sign capability seems to be tied to Offline Maps Availability. Whenever my Yukon is downloading Offline Maps, it seems to display "--" and then as soon as the offline maps get done, it works again.
I suspect this is why it is so iffy right after going in to service, and gets better later.

 

[Crzylgs]

Speed Limit sign capability seems to be tied to Offline Maps Availability. Whenever my Yukon is downloading Offline Maps, it seems to display "--" and then as soon as the offline maps get done, it works again.
I suspect this is why it is so iffy right after going in to service, and gets better later.

Any idea how to get the vehicle to download offline maps. I see the option on the menu, but when I try it I see a message about not having a mobile data plan.

I haven't been able to get it to connect to my iPhone hotspot, but I have been able to get it to connect to my home WIFi, but it won't download offline maps.

Any tips?