2023 z06 - "apps" update does not update
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
2023 z06 - "apps" update does not update
Hey guys. Not sure if anyone else has run into this, but on the 2023 pre-android built in OS, there is still an apps store of sorts, and you are able to manually update all the built in apps there. Well, on my z06, there is an update available for the "apps" app, but it will never install when I hit update. I've tried resetting the system etc, but it never takes. Anyone have any cool work arounds? Dealers whenver I discuss onboard electronics always get that deer in the headlights look, a lot like my Equinox EV questions when I ask about flashing updates.. the techs just dont want to deal with it.
IT guy here so let it rip
IT guy here so let it rip
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,376
Likes: 8,532
Hey guys. Not sure if anyone else has run into this, but on the 2023 pre-android built in OS, there is still an apps store of sorts, and you are able to manually update all the built in apps there. Well, on my z06, there is an update available for the "apps" app, but it will never install when I hit update. I've tried resetting the system etc, but it never takes. Anyone have any cool work arounds? Dealers whenver I discuss onboard electronics always get that deer in the headlights look, a lot like my Equinox EV questions when I ask about flashing updates.. the techs just dont want to deal with it.
IT guy here so let it rip
IT guy here so let it rip
You mentioned you are an IT person, so you probably already checked this....but I think you might need either a data plan via OnStar or a connection to the Wifi in your garage to download/update apps. Of course the purpose of the workaround was to avoid the OnStar data plan, so that did the downloading while connected to the WiFi in the garage.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
I have a 2021 and do not know the answer. But I do know that in discussions of the workaround for the later model 2024--- navigation, one of them involved specifically deleting the Google Maps Nav app from the infotainement system and then downloading - so it is possible.
You mentioned you are an IT person, so you probably already checked this....but I think you might need either a data plan via OnStar or a connection to the Wifi in your garage to download/update apps. Of course the purpose of the workaround was to avoid the OnStar data plan, so that did the downloading while connected to the WiFi in the garage.
You mentioned you are an IT person, so you probably already checked this....but I think you might need either a data plan via OnStar or a connection to the Wifi in your garage to download/update apps. Of course the purpose of the workaround was to avoid the OnStar data plan, so that did the downloading while connected to the WiFi in the garage.
I think the 24's have the android built in, which is a different system altogether. Your 21 probably has the same system as mine. If you go into "apps" and then find the update area, is there an update for your "apps" app?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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Thanks. Yeah, I am on wifi already and the other apps built in DO update. Its just the "apps" app, which I believe runs the entire thing, has an update but doesnt update. Probably because its running everything and the app cant be closed, but you'd figure there'd be some sort of routine to close the app, run the update, then start everything back up. Its a strange one. No way to force close the app, then run the update that I've found... I'll upload a pic so you guys can see what im talking about.
I think the 24's have the android built in, which is a different system altogether. Your 21 probably has the same system as mine. If you go into "apps" and then find the update area, is there an update for your "apps" app?
I think the 24's have the android built in, which is a different system altogether. Your 21 probably has the same system as mine. If you go into "apps" and then find the update area, is there an update for your "apps" app?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,376
Likes: 8,532
Thanks. Yeah, I am on wifi already and the other apps built in DO update. Its just the "apps" app, which I believe runs the entire thing, has an update but doesnt update. Probably because its running everything and the app cant be closed, but you'd figure there'd be some sort of routine to close the app, run the update, then start everything back up. Its a strange one. No way to force close the app, then run the update that I've found... I'll upload a pic so you guys can see what im talking about.
I think the 24's have the android built in, which is a different system altogether. Your 21 probably has the same system as mine. If you go into "apps" and then find the update area, is there an update for your "apps" app?
I think the 24's have the android built in, which is a different system altogether. Your 21 probably has the same system as mine. If you go into "apps" and then find the update area, is there an update for your "apps" app?
So, the only one even available for an update is Spotify. I did not see any option to update the software associated with the apps icon on the main page, or any option to update any other app.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 369
From: Ontario
Is there anything outstanding under Settings > Updates ?
GM seems to like playing hide and seek with their software/firmware.
EDIT: Maybe have a snoop in the OnStar app?
GM seems to like playing hide and seek with their software/firmware.
EDIT: Maybe have a snoop in the OnStar app?
Last edited by MKC8; May 20, 2026 at 01:19 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 35
From: St. Louis, MO
I have a 2024 and can access Play Store and see updates, but does not let me update at any point. It will download and show installing, then pop right back to "update."
I have tried while the car is connected to both home & work WiFi
As a tech guy, you could look into manual updates to the radio with SPS2 doing the USB thumb drive method. I had to do this after mine would fail radio OS updating for over a year, and I didn't feel like taking it to the dealer.
I have tried while the car is connected to both home & work WiFi
As a tech guy, you could look into manual updates to the radio with SPS2 doing the USB thumb drive method. I had to do this after mine would fail radio OS updating for over a year, and I didn't feel like taking it to the dealer.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Here is where it sits. It will just never progress and then there was an error. I think because it’s not smart enough to close the apps app first to update itself. I’m sure the dealer will love this one.
Last edited by spinkick; May 21, 2026 at 02:04 PM.
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Race Director
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I'll have to look. But I did not think I saw that "system app" item in my list.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,027
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From: Ontario
I rarely visit the "apps" on the Infotainment System, besides Audio and Google Maps (or whatever it's called NAV).
UPDATE: Nothing even close, but mine is a 2024, so not surprising.
Last edited by MKC8; May 21, 2026 at 08:00 PM.
Race Director
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Double checked. I do not have that apps system app on the list of MyApps, or the list of all apps. 2021.
Last edited by Andybump; May 21, 2026 at 06:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
The OP is asking about a 2023, which is pre-AndroidAutmotive, which started in 2024. It's the older system and does not have the Google Play Store. Anyone with a 2024 or later will have a totally different system that won't help the OP. Spinkick, I've found the pre-2024 system to be very slow to update, sometimes requiring trying over multiple sessions in different locations to get apps to install/update. If you're trying at home over WiFi, make sure you have a good strong WiFi signal. If out and about, make sure you have stong cell signal on the Infotainment. On both the 2023s I've had, it would sometimes take 3-4 tries over several days to get an app to install/update.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 369
From: Ontario
The OP is asking about a 2023, which is pre-AndroidAutmotive, which started in 2024. It's the older system and does not have the Google Play Store. Anyone with a 2024 or later will have a totally different system that won't help the OP. Spinkick, I've found the pre-2024 system to be very slow to update, sometimes requiring trying over multiple sessions in different locations to get apps to install/update. If you're trying at home over WiFi, make sure you have a good strong WiFi signal. If out and about, make sure you have stong cell signal on the Infotainment. On both the 2023s I've had, it would sometimes take 3-4 tries over several days to get an app to install/update.
"UPDATE: Nothing even close, but mine is a 2024, so not surprising."
But thanks for reinforcing it.
