A new over-the-air update to compatible Volvo cars brings Apple Music integration to the car’s infotainment system. Volvo says more than 2 million cars will benefit from this integration.
As part of the update, new and returning Apple Music subscribers will get up to three months of Apple Music for free.
Apple Music arrives in more than 2 million Volvo cars
Volvo’s Apple Music update is another indicator that the car is becoming less a machine with a dashboard than a rolling extension of your digital life. While some automakers embrace Apple’s popular CarPlay infotainment system, which enables Apple Music playback and other handy features, others remain wary of ceding any control at all.
Still, as car companies race to make their software feel as polished —and as personal — as the phone in your pocket, Apple’s streaming service continues to secure a spot in center consoles, one OTA update at a time.
Several auto manufacturers already rolled out native Apple Music integration to their infotainment systems, allowing owners to directly access their Apple Music libraries from the car’s infotainment system.
After the Volvo update, owners should see a dedicated Apple Music app in their Volvo car’s infotainment system (via Exame). Since the app runs natively on the infotainment system, there is no need to connect an iPhone through CarPlay first.
Which models will get the update?
Volvo is the latest car manufacturer to join this list. It is rolling out an OTA update to most of its vehicles from model year 2020 onward to add Apple Music integration. The compatible vehicles are as follows:
- EX90
- ES90
- XC90
- S90
- V90
- XC60
- S60
- V60
- XC40
- EX40
- EC40
Owners of the Volvo EX60, EX90 and ES90 with the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system will enjoy even better sound quality, with support for Apple Music Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.
Note that the OTA update may take a while to roll out depending on the region.
Eligible Volvo owners get 3 months of Apple Music for free
Apple and Volvo are also providing a free three-month Apple Music trial to new and returning subscribers. Apple typically offers a one-month free trial to new subscribers.
The offer runs through July 6, 2027. So, there is a lot of time to take advantage of this offer. Eligible owners can redeem the complimentary trial through the Volvo Cars app.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
You can reach out to him at mail[at]rajeshpandey.me.
One response to “Free Volvo update adds Apple Music to your car’s dashboard”
Sure hope this will be at Polestar thing to. Got a Polestar 2 with Bowers & Wilkins speakers just to learn that there was no Atmos support. Yes they sound great but still. Apple Music is the only app I miss. If this comes to my car CarPlay will only be used as an emergency option.