Help: OnStar Guardian™ App 

Safety & Security Members now have Guardian as part of their plan. For everyone else — including anyone who does not own a GM vehicle — OnStar Guardian is $17 a month. You can download from the App Store^®* or on Google Play™*.

By using the sensors in your smartphone, including the accelerometer, the app can detect when you are in a moving vehicle or on a motorcycle. When a crash is detected on an Android device, the app can automatically connect you with an OnStar Emergency Advisor who can contact First Responders. When a crash is detected on an Apple^® device, the app alerts an OnStar Emergency Advisor, who will then call your smartphone, requiring someone in the vehicle to answer the call. 

Enabling location permissions within the app allows an OnStar Advisor to identify your smartphone’s location and contact First Responders for help, even if you can't ask for it. 

Now anyone with a service plan can download and use the OnStar Guardian app and get key OnStar services in their vehicle. You can download the app on the App Store^®* or from Google Play™*.

We maintain reasonable and adequate technical, administrative, and physical security and confidentiality measures designed to help protect your information from unauthorized access or acquisition. In an active emergency situation, OnStar Emergency Advisors may share your information, pursuant to the OnStar Guardian App Privacy Statement. Your information will only be shared with emergency service providers — such as law enforcement, roadside assistance providers and ambulance providers — in order to deliver related services. Consult the OnStar Guardian App Privacy Statement for more information.

Yes. You can use your myChevrolet, myBuick, myGMC or myCadillac mobile app login.  If you have an existing GM Account, you can use your login for the Guardian app as well. It is not necessary to create a new GM account for the Guardian app.

The app is currently compatible with select Apple and Android devices (Android 7.0+ and above and Apple iOS 14.0 and above as of March 2023). The Guardian app requires devices to have GPS, accelerometer, gravity sensor, and gyroscope.

Call the GM Connection Centre at 1.888.466.7827 if you have questions or need to report an issue with the Guardian app.

All OnStar Safety & Security Members now get the Guardian app included in their plan. The OnStar Guardian app is in addition to and an extension of those services and can be shared with up to seven of your loved ones. You can also enjoy OnStar Guardian as a stand-alone service if you don’t currently have OnStar safety services in your vehicle.

No. The Guardian app needs a cellular connection in order to connect with OnStar. Should you encounter an emergency requiring law enforcement, EMS, fire or other emergency services, always call 911 first.

Apple devices: There are no known limitations at this time. Android devices: The Guardian app may not operate properly if the following modes are detected and enabled:  

• Power save 
• Background restrictions 
• Google Play settings error 
• Location settings error  
• Wi-Fi scanning disabled 
• Battery Optimization 

This list is not exhaustive and other app or smartphone permissions or settings may impact app performance. Additionally, some Android-based smartphones may not be supported, including Google Pixel devices. See the OnStar Guardian app User Terms for limitations. Device permissions are required for the app to operate properly.

The User Terms and Privacy Statement are available to view from the following places:  

• Within the Settings tab of the OnStar Guardian app  
• OnStar Guardian app page on App Store and Google Play 
• onstar.com
  

If you uninstalled or deleted the app, you can simply download the app again on the App Store or on Google Play and sign back in to the app. If you need assistance, tap the “Need Help Signing In?” link. If you are a Member with a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac, you can also use your vehicle mobile app or GM Account login.

Mobile Crash Response uses smartphone sensors designed to determine if the smartphone is in a moving vehicle before it begins scanning to detect a crash event. The OnStar Guardian app then alerts an OnStar Emergency Advisor, who will call your phone and contact First Responders. Automatic Crash Response is a service that is embedded into your vehicle, utilizing built-in sensors designed to detect a crash and alert an OnStar Emergency Advisor. The in-vehicle Automatic Crash Response is available in any properly-equipped GM vehicle, while the OnStar Guardian app extends this service to any vehicle you drive, ride in or share. Mobile Crash Response services are intended for use in vehicles and on motorcycles only and can connect to an Advisor automatically on Android devices only. Service availability, features and functionality may vary by device and software. 

No, the OnStar Guardian app is focused on giving users access to key OnStar safety services through your smartphone in any vehicle and virtually anywhere you or your loved ones go.

The Guardian app is designed to use your smartphone’s sensors to detect a crash and alert an OnStar Emergency Advisor. The Advisor will call your phone and contact First Responders and provide them with your location. For Android users, the app can automatically connect to an Advisor even if you can't reach your phone.

Dialing 911 while you’re connected to an OnStar Advisor via the Guardian app may result in two calls being placed to 911 at the same time. This could cause confusion or a delayed response.

When a crash is detected, you will receive an automatic OnStar Guardian app notification on your smartphone. For Android devices, the notification will read: Connecting to an OnStar Emergency Advisor. A crash has been detected. For Apple devices, the notification will read: Crash detected. OnStar Emergency has been alerted. Additionally, on Android devices, you will hear an audible prompt notifying you that you are being automatically connected to an OnStar Emergency Advisor. On Apple devices, you will receive a call from the OnStar Advisor that you must answer.

Yes. If you are an OnStar Member, you and any "My Family" member can get help using the Guardian app in any vehicle in which you are traveling, including motorcycles.

No. Members of “My Family” must have the app on their smartphone in order to get Roadside Assistance.

You can request roadside assistance right in the OnStar Guardian™ app, simply by tapping the roadside icon and following the convenient on-screen prompts. Once service is requested, OnStar Guardian can even let you know how close a roadside technician is to your location.

Our OnStar Emergency Advisors* are always ready to help Members and provide a human connection so they are never alone in a time of need. By pushing the red Emergency button, Members are linked to live people who are professionally trained and certified in emergency call handling, similar to 911 personnel. During an emergency, an Emergency Advisor will notify First Responders to request assistance be sent to the location of the emergency and can utilize medical, police and fire protocols provided by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch^® (IAED) Emergency Priority Dispatch System before help arrives.

The IAED system provides a structured, standardized set of procedures that reduce complexity and risk, allowing OnStar Emergency Advisors to work confidently and, when necessary, provide critical support amid the chaos of an emergency situation prior to First Responders arriving on scene. With over 70,000 911 dispatchers in 50 countries, these protocols are the most studied and proven through the validation of millions of emergency calls.

You can always push the blue OnStar button if you need help. An OnStar Advisor can assess your request and get you the right help. You can also push the blue OnStar button if you have questions about your account or the app. For an emergency situation, such as medical, push the red Emergency button.

Within the OnStar Guardian app, you can view and share device location information with members of “My Family.” Each member of “My Family” is visible by all other members of “My Family” on a map, and their location updates are visible. Additionally, in an emergency, this feature allows an OnStar Emergency Advisor to identify your smartphone’s location and contact First Responders, even if you can’t ask for it.

The only time an OnStar Advisor accesses your smartphone location and information from you or members of "My Family" is during an active OnStar Guardian app call. Your smartphone’s location information is shared with members of “My Family” via the Guardian app. Your smartphone’s location information is only shared with third parties (e.g., 911 dispatch centres, First Responders) when they are contacted to respond on scene.  OnStar takes protecting information very seriously. We maintain reasonable and adequate technical, administrative, and physical security and confidentiality measures designed to help protect your information from unauthorized access or acquisition. Consult the OnStar Guardian App Privacy Statement for more information.

Yes. OnStar uses your smartphone's location to identify the correct 911 dispatch centre. First Responders are then sent to this location during an emergency.

You can use the OnStar Guardian app to invite up to seven people to join and be a part of your “My Family” group in the app. Each member of “My Family” receives all the app benefits at no cost to them, including Mobile Crash Response, Roadside Assistance, Location Status and Emergency Services.

To invite someone to “My Family,” navigate to the “My Family” section of the app menu and select the option to add a new member. A unique code is generated for your group that can be shared using your operating system’s sharing feature, such as sending through an SMS or via email. The same code can be shared with up to all seven people in the group, but it is only valid for 48 hours. A new code is generated if you select the sharing option at a later time.

Yes. Each member of “My Family” must download the app to their individual smartphone in order to enjoy the Guardian app’s benefits and services. Each person invited to “My Family” must create their own unique username and password for the app on their compatible smartphone. Members of “My Family” should not share credentials.

The OnStar Member will have the designation of “Family Manager,” which provides the administrative ability to add or delete people from “My Family.” This designation can be extended by the OnStar Member to any or all other members of “My Family.” However, only the OnStar Member will have rights to purchase, amend or cancel an OnStar plan.