Hands-Free Calling

We've created a series of instructional videos to make using Hands-Free Calling¹ even easier.

• If you're new to Hands-Free Calling, start with The Basics, videos covering topics like how to make and receive calls, and buy minutes.
• For specific voice command questions, watch our Voice Recognition Tips videos.

Browse the Frequently Asked Questions below — and find links to the Hands-Free Calling videos most relevant to your needs. For quick instructions at your fingertips, you can also check out our Hands-Free Calling e-booklet, featuring a printable quick guide.

• What is OnStar Hands-Free Calling?

  OnStar Hands-Free Calling² is a built in, voice-activated calling system built into the vehicle hardware. It allows users to make and receive hands-free calls at the touch of a single button. You can use your Hands-Free Calling service by purchasing prepaid minutes from OnStar, or choosing to link your cell phone plan minutes with your vehicle by enrolling in a shared minutes plan.

  You may purchase prepaid minutes online now, push the blue OnStar button in your vehicle, or call 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827).

   Watch The Basics

• How can I verify the number of minutes I have remaining?

  Simply push the phone or white-dot button. When OnStar responds with "OnStar ready," say "Minutes." When OnStar responds with "Please say verify or add," say "Verify." The system will then respond with the number of minutes remaining on your account.

   Watch How to Check the Status of Your Minutes

• In what cases am I using my Hands-Free Calling minutes?

  Hands-Free calling minutes will be deducted from your total anytime you:

  • Place outgoing phone calls via the phone or white-dot button
  • Receive incoming phone calls via the phone or white-dot button
  • Access the Virtual Advisor³ via the phone or white-dot button

  NOTE: BLUE BUTTON AND RED EMERGENCY BUTTON PUSHES DO NOT UTILIZE HANDS-FREE CALLING MINUTES

   Watch The Basics

• Can I roll my minutes over to a new package or a new vehicle?

  With the additional purchase of a Hands-Free Calling prepaid minute package, your current unused minutes will roll over, making all of your minutes good for a full year. You can also roll over any active unused minutes to your new vehicle, keeping in mind that the original purchase date is the expiration date. With the additional purchase of a Hands-Free Calling prepaid minute package, your current unused minutes will roll over, making all of your minutes good for a full year. Just push your blue OnStar button or call 1.888.4ONSTAR (1.888.466.7867) for more information.

   Watch The Basics

• Can I use my cell phone minutes to make calls using my OnStar Hands-Free Calling system?

  The Nationwide Plan with OnStar^®4 lets you share your Verizon Wireless cellular plan minutes between your cell phone and your OnStar system, all at a great price. Enjoy the simplicity of one plan, one package of minutes, and one convenient bill for all your calls. Learn more about this plan.

   Watch The Basics

• Can I purchase Hands-Free Calling minutes online?

  Yes. You can purchase online using your credit card by logging in to your account. For your convenience, your credit card number will be placed on file and you will be enrolled in Continuous Coverage, ensuring that you will have continued access to all of OnStar's services. If you do not wish to keep your credit card information on file, please let the Advisor know.

• Once I've purchased OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes online, will I be able to use them in my vehicle right away?

  Minutes you've purchased online will be available for use in your vehicle within 24 hours. To verify if your minutes have been delivered to your vehicle, push the phone or white-dot button in your vehicle and when the system says "OnStar ready," say "Units," then "Verify." If minutes are available, the system's response will be "You have xx units remaining."

  If your minutes are not delivered within 24 hours, push the blue OnStar button in your vehicle to speak to an Advisor³.

   Watch The Basics

• Can I download instructions on how to make and receive calls with Hands-Free Calling?

  Yes. You can easily find your Hands-Free Calling Quick Reference Card on our Downloadable Guides page. Simply download and print it to learn the key commands for interacting with Hands-Free Calling. For future reference, there is a Hands-Free Calling Quick Reference Card within the OnStar Owner's Manual located in your vehicle's glove box. For quick instructions at your fingertips, you can also check out our Hands-Free Calling e-booklet, featuring a printable quick guide.

• Do you have any helpful tips for dialing and voice recognition when using Hands-Free Calling?

  On occasion, it may be necessary to emphasize certain sounds when dialing. Because everyone's voice is unique, using different voice techniques will help the system to work for you.

  The following numbers may require emphasis when dialing these digits:

  "0"

  • If the system does not understand "zero", try "oh" and vice versa
  • Try saying "oh" slower or faster
  • On zero, emphasize "r" sound

  "1"

  • Emphasize the "n" sound at the end of the word

  "2"

  • Say the digit softer
  • Emphasize the "t" sound at the beginning

  The following tips may be helpful when using these commands:

  "Dial"

  • Emphasize the "l" sound to reduce confusion with the word call

  "Call"

  • Emphasize the hard "k" sound

  "Store"

  • When storing a number with a Nametag, use two words or two syllable words rather than one. For example "My Home" instead of "Home"
  • If the system is having trouble understanding numbers when you dial, setting up nametags for speed dialing may help. Click here for more information on storing nametags.

  It is OnStar's policy to attempt to provide you a number local to the number you have on file. If you do not receive a local number or you are having issues with unwanted phone calls, please contact us so an OnStar advisor can assist you in obtaining a new phone number. Simply push the blue OnStar button to speak with an Advisor or dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) and provide your OnStar account number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the Advisor to initiate the request.

   Watch Voice Recognition Tips

• When I attempt to use Hands-Free Calling, the system does not respond — instead it just beeps. What do I need to do?

  The system may have inadvertently shut off the Voice Feedback setting that provides a voice response to your commands. Your system is still operational. The next time you are in your vehicle and it is running, push your phone or white-dot button, and after the system beeps, say "Voice Feedback." The system should respond "Voice Feedback on" and then "Ready." You will then receive verification from the system as you use it to place calls. If you still encounter difficulties with this or any other Voice Recognition issue, please push the OnStar button or call us at 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) for further assistance.

   Watch Voice Recognition Tips

• How do I answer and end calls using OnStar Hands-Free Calling?

  When you are receiving a call in your vehicle, you will hear ringing and the Green System Status light located by your OnStar buttons will be flashing. Simply press the phone or white-dot button to answer the call. Press it again to end the call when it is complete.

   Watch How to Answer a Call

• What is my in-vehicle Hands-Free Calling number?

  To get your OnStar Hands-Free Calling number, simply push the phone or white-dot button in your vehicle and when the system says "OnStar ready," say "My number."

  If you are unable to retrieve your number by pushing the phone or white-dot button, please use one of these options:

  1. Push the blue OnStar button to speak with an Advisor.
  2. Dial 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827) and provide your OnStar account number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the Advisor.

   Watch How to Get Your Number

• How can my family and friends avoid long distance charges when they call me?

  We provide a Hands-Free Calling number that is local to your home phone number or another main phone number that may have been provided on your account. Therefore, if your friends and family incur long distance charges when calling you at home, they will also incur long distance charges when calling your Onstar Hands-Free Calling system. If you are personally incurring long distance charges from your home phone to your vehicle's Hands-Free Calling system please contact us thru the blue OnStar button or landline and we will attempt to get you a local number.

   Watch The Basics

• What if I am receiving unwanted phone calls?

  If you are receiving unwanted phone calls, please contact an OnStar Advisor to obtain a new phone number by pushing your blue button or calling 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827). Please have your account number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready.

• What is the difference between my Hands-Free Calling expiration date and my OnStar subscription expiration date?

  Your OnStar subscription end date refers to the date when your OnStar subscription is up for renewal. Your Hand-Free Calling minutes may have a different expiration date related to the date the minutes were purchased. Purchased minutes are good for one full year or until your OnStar subscription ends, whichever date comes first.

  To check the expiration date of your Hands-Free Calling minutes:

  1. Push the phone or white-dot button.
  2. Say "Units" then "Add." You will hear the expiration date of any unused minutes.

  Note: You must have an active subscription to use your Hands-Free Calling minutes. If your OnStar subscription expires, any unused calling minutes will be lost.

   Watch The Basics

• How can I verify when my Hands-Free Calling minutes expire?

  Simply press the phone or white-dot button button and say "Units", then "Add" the system will respond with your minute expiration message.

   Watch How to Verify Your Minutes' Expiration

• Can I roll over my active remaining minutes to a new package or a new vehicle?

  With the additional purchase of a HFC prepaid minute package, your current unused minutes will roll over, making all of your minutes good for a full year. You can also roll over any active unused minutes to your new vehicle, keeping in mind that the original purchase date is the expiration date. With the additional purchase of a HFC prepaid minute package, your current unused minutes will roll over, making all of your minutes good for a full year. Just push your blue OnStar button or call 1.888.4ONSTAR (1.888.466.7867) for more information.