2021 GMC SIERRA infotainment

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
156 Infotainment System
The keypad will gray out entries that do not
contribute to a valid frequency and will
automatically place a decimal point within
the frequency number.
Touch (X) to delete one number at a time.
Touch and hold (X) to delete all numbers.
A valid AM or FM station will automatically
tune to the new frequency but not close the
Direct Tune display. When listening to SXM
(if equipped), touch Go after entering the
channel. Touch the Back icon on the
infotainment display or touch
zto exit out
of Direct Tune.
The tune arrows on the right side of the
Direct Tune display will tune through the
complete station or channel list one station
step at a time per touch. A touch and hold
advances through stations or channels
quickly.
If equipped, HD Radio multicast stations
cannot be tuned directly through the Direct
Tune feature. Only the analog or
HD1 station can use that feature. Use the
display arrows to adjust to the multicast
stations.
AM, FM, and SXM Categories
From the AM stations, if equipped with HD
Radio, FM, or SXM (if equipped) display,
touch Categories at the top of the Browse
menu to access the categories list. The list
contains names associated with the AM or
FM stations, or SXM channels. Touch a
category name to display a list of stations
or channels for that category. Touching a
station or channel from the list will tune the
radio to that station or channel.
Storing Radio Station Presets
Favorites show in the area at the top of the
display.
AM, FM, SXM (if equipped), and HD Radio
Stations (if equipped) : Press and hold a
preset to store the current station or
channel as a favorite. Touch a saved favorite
to recall a favorite station or channel. Favorites can also be stored by touching
H
in a station or channel list. This will
highlight indicating that it is now saved as a
favorite.
The number of favorites displayed is
automatically adjusted by default, but can
be manually adjusted in Settings in the
System tab under Favorites and then Set
Number of Audio Favorites. It can also be
adjusted in Settings in the Apps tab under
Audio and then Set Number of Audio
Favorites.
HD Radio Technology
If equipped, HD Radio is a free service with
features such as digital quality sound, more
stations available on a single frequency such
as HD2 and HD3, and display information
such as artist and song title.
From the Now Playing display, touch the HD
Radio icon to turn HD on or off.
Station Access
To access HD Radio stations:
1. Tune the radio to the station. If HD Radio is turned on and the station is
broadcasting in HD Radio, the radio will
automatically tune to the HD version of
the current channel (HD1) after several

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Infotainment System 157
seconds. The radio will also display
icons representing additional channels
(HD2, ...HD8), that may be available.
When the radio successfully tunes to a
HD station, the HD logo will display and
digital audio will play.
2. Touch the display arrows to tune to the previous or next HD Radio station.
There may be a delay before the station
starts playing.
The HD Radio station number is indicated
next to the HD logo.
HD Radio stations can be saved as favorites.
For a list of all stations, see
www.hdradio.com.
HD Radio Troubleshooting
Digital Audio Delay : Wait for the signal to
process. This can take several seconds.
Volume Change, Audio Skip, Echo, Digital
Audio Lost : Station signal strength may be
weak, the station is out of range, or the
station may be out of alignment. Verify
proper reception on another station.
If the HD Radio signal weakens while
listening to HD1, the radio will automatically
switch to the analog version of the radio
station. If the HD Radio signal loses reception while
listening to stations HD2 to HD8, the radio
mutes until the signal can be recovered or
until the station is changed.
HD Radio can be disabled if driving in a
weak signal area. Touch HD Radio On/Off to
toggle HD Radio reception on and off.
Radio Data System (RDS)
If equipped, RDS features are available for
use only on FM stations that broadcast RDS
information. With RDS, the radio can:
.Group stations by Category (i.e., Program
Type) such as Rock, Jazz, Classical, etc.
.Display messages from radio stations.
This system relies on receiving specific
information from these stations and only
works when the information is available.
It is possible that a radio station could
broadcast incorrect information that causes
the radio features to work improperly. If this
happens, contact the radio station.
When information is broadcast from a RDS
station, the station name or call letters
display on the audio screen. Radio text
supporting the currently playing broadcast
may also appear.
Satellite Radio
SiriusXM Radio Service
If equipped, vehicles with a valid SiriusXM
radio subscription can receive SiriusXM
programming.
SiriusXM radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free music,
coast to coast, in digital-quality sound. In
the U.S., see www.siriusxm.com or call
1-888-601-6296. In Canada, see
www.siriusxm.ca or call 1-877-438-9677.
When SiriusXM is active, the channel name,
number, song title, and artist appear on the
display.
SiriusXM with 360L
SiriusXM with 360L interface has enhanced
in-vehicle listening experience for
subscribers. The experience now offers more
categories and system learned
recommendations toward discovering more
personalized content.
To use the full SiriusXM 360L program,
including streaming content and listening
recommendations, OnStar Connected Access
is required. Connected vehicle services vary

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158 Infotainment System
by model and require a complete working
electrical system, cell reception, and GPS
signal. An active connected plan is required.
Reference the SiriusXM user guide for use
and subscription information.
Radio Reception
Unplug electronic devices from the accessory
power outlets if there is interference or
static in the radio.
FM
FM signals only reach about 16 to 65 km (10
to 40 mi). Although the radio has a built-in
electronic circuit that automatically works to
reduce interference, some static can occur,
especially around tall buildings or hills,
causing the sound to fade in and out.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater
than for FM, especially at night. The longer
range can cause station frequencies to
interfere with each other. Static can also
occur when things like storms and power
lines interfere with radio reception. When
this happens, try reducing the treble on the
radio.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Service
If equipped, SiriusXM Satellite Radio Service
provides digital radio reception. Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with satellite
radio signals, causing the sound to fade in
and out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges, garages,
or tunnels may cause loss of the SiriusXM
signal for a period of time. Some cellular
services may interfere with SXM reception
causing loss of signal.
Mobile Device Usage
Mobile device usage, such as making or
receiving calls, charging, or just having the
mobile device on may cause static
interference in the radio. Unplug the mobile
device or turn it off if this happens.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna will go through
most car washes as long as it is securely
attached. If the antenna becomes slightly
bent, straighten it out by hand. If it is badly
bent, replace it.
Occasionally check that the antenna is tight
at the base. If tightening is required, protect
the paint from damage.
Multi-Band Antenna
The roof antenna is for SiriusXM Satellite
Radio, OnStar, and GPS (Global Positioning
System), depending on the equipped
options. Keep clear of obstructions for clear
reception. If the vehicle has a sunroof, and it
is open, reception can also be affected.
Audio Players
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices
When using media devices such as SD cards,
USB devices, and mobile devices, consider
the source. Untrusted media devices could
contain files that affect system operation or
performance. Avoid use if the content or
origin cannot be trusted.
USB Port
This vehicle is equipped with two USB ports
in the center console under the armrest and
another two in the center stack. These ports
are for data and charging.
There may also be two USB ports for
charging only at the rear of the center
console.

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Caution
To avoid vehicle damage, unplug all
accessories and disconnect all accessory
cables from the vehicle when not in use.
Accessory cables left plugged into the
vehicle, unconnected to a device, could be
damaged or cause an electrical short if
the unconnected end comes in contact
with liquids or another power source such
as the accessory power outlet.
Playing from a USB
A USB mass storage device can be connected
to the USB port.
Gracenote
When plugging in a USB device, Gracenote
service builds voice tags for music. Voice
tags allow artists, albums with hard to
pronounce names, and nicknames to be used
to play music through voice recognition.
While indexing, infotainment features are
available.My Media Library
MyMedia is only available when more than
one indexed device is connected. It allows
access to content from all indexed media
sources. MyMedia will show as an available
source in the Source page.
USB MP3 Player and USB Devices
The USB MP3 players and USB devices
connected must comply with the USB Mass
Storage Class specification (USB MSC).
to play a USB device:
1. Connect the USB.
2. Press MEDIA on the center stack until the connected device is shown.
Use the following when playing an active
USB source:
r: Touch to play the current media source.
j: Touch to pause playback of the current
media source.
g:
.Press to seek to the beginning of the
current or previous track.
.Press and hold to reverse quickly through
playback. Release to return to playing
speed. Elapsed time displays.
d:
.Press to seek to the next track.
.Press and hold to advance quickly
through playback. Release to return to
playing speed. Elapsed time displays.
Shuffle : Touch the shuffle icon to play
music in random order.
USB Menu
Touch the Menu icon to display the USB
menu. The following may be available:
Shuffle : Touch to play the tracks randomly.
Touch again to stop shuffle.
Tone : Touch + or –to adjust the tone
settings. See AM-FM Radio 0155.
Auto Volume (If Equipped) : This feature
adjusts the volume based on the vehicle
speed. See AM-FM Radio 0155.
Bose AudioPilot Noise Compensation
Technology (If Equipped : This feature
adjusts the volume based on the noise in
the vehicle and speed. See AM-FM Radio
0 155.
USB Browse Menu
When a list of songs, albums, artists,
or other types of media displays, the up and
down arrows and A-Z appear on the left

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160 Infotainment System
side. Select A-Z to view a display that will
show all letters of the alphabet and select
the letter to go to.
Touch anywhere between the top and
bottom menus or touch the Browse option
on the infotainment display to view the
Browse menu and the following options are
displayed near the bottom of the display:
Playlists:1. Touch to view the playlists stored on the USB.
2. Touch a playlist to view the list of all songs in that playlist.
3. Touch a song from the list to begin playback.
Supported Playlist extensions are m3u, pls,
and wpl.
Artists: 1. Touch to view the list of artists stored on the USB.
2. Touch an artist name to view a list of all albums by the artist.
3. To select a song, touch All Songs or touch an album and then select a song
from the list. Albums:
1. Touch to view the albums on the USB.
2. Touch the album to view a list of all songs on the album.
3. Touch a song from the list to begin playback.
Songs: 1. Touch to display a list of all songs on the USB.
2. To begin playback, touch a song from the list.
Genres: 1. Touch to view the genres on the USB.
2. Touch a genre to view a list of artists.
3. Touch an artist to view albums by that artist.
4. Touch an album to view songs on the album.
5. Touch a song to start playback.
Podcasts, Composers, Audiobooks, and Folder
View (if equipped) are shown when the
More option is selected from near the
bottom of the display.
Podcasts: 1. Touch to view the podcasts on the USB. 2. Select a podcast.
3. Select an episode to start playback.
Composers: 1. Touch to view the composers on the USB.
2. Touch Composers to view a list of albums by that composer.
3. Touch an album to view a list of songs.
4. Touch a song from the list to begin playback.
Folder View: 1. Touch to view the directories on the USB.
2. Touch a folder to view a list of all files.
3. Touch a file from the list to begin playback.
Audiobooks: 1. Touch to view the audiobooks stored on the USB.
2. Touch an audiobook to get a list of chapters.
3. Touch the chapter from the list to begin playback.

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When a list of songs, albums, artists,
or other types of media display, a vertical
keyboard appears on one side of the list and
a scroll bar on the other side. When using
the vertical keyboard, touch the beginning
character of the desired name to display the
zoom bubble of that character. Release the
finger from the infotainment display and
the zoom bubble disappears.
Touch the scroll bar to move the list up
and down.
File System and Naming
The songs, artists, albums, and genres are
taken from the file’s song information and
are only displayed if present. The radio
displays the file name as the track name if
the song information is not available.Supported Apple Devices
To view supported devices in USA, see
my.gmc.com\learned.
Loss of Audio
If a phone currently paired over Bluetooth is
plugged in with a USB cable, the system will
automatically mute the phone audio.
Playback can be resumed by changing the
audio source from Bluetooth to USB cable.
Source USB from the Media icon on the
infotainment display to resume playback.
Other phones such as Android phones may
have a similar reaction.
Bluetooth Streaming Audio and Voice
Recognition
See
Bluetooth Audio 0162 for information
using voice recognition with Bluetooth
streaming audio.
Make sure all devices have the latest
software downloaded.
Auxiliary Jack
If equipped, this vehicle may have an
auxiliary input jack. This may be located in
the center stack or center console under the
armrest. Possible auxiliary audio sources
include:
.Laptop computer
.Audio music player
This jack is not an audio output. Do not
plug headphones into the auxiliary input
jack. Set up an auxiliary device while the
vehicle is in P (Park).
Connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) cable from the
auxiliary device to the auxiliary input jack.
When a device is connected, the system can
play audio from the device over the vehicle
speakers.
If an auxiliary device has already been
connected, but a different source is currently
active, press MEDIA on the center stack or
touch the Media icon on the infotainment
display to scroll through audio source
menus, until the AUX Input source appears.
Playing from the AUX Port
An auxiliary device is played through the
audio system and controlled through the
device itself.

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AUX Menu
Press MENU on the center stack to display
the AUX Input menu and the following may
display:
Tone Settings :Touch to adjust Bass,
Midrange, Treble, Balance, Fade, and EQ
(Equalizer). See AM-FM Radio0155.
Auto Volume (If Equipped) : This feature
adjusts the volume based on the vehicle
speed. See AM-FM Radio 0155.
Bose AudioPilot Noise Compensation
Technology (If Equipped) : This feature
adjusts the volume based on the noise in
the vehicle and speed. See “Bose AudioPilot”
in AM-FM Radio 0155.
Bluetooth Audio
Music may be played from a paired
Bluetooth device. See Bluetooth (Pairing and
Using a Phone) 0181 or
Bluetooth (Overview) 0180 for help pairing
a device.
Volume and song selection may be
controlled by using the infotainment
controls or the mobile device. If Bluetooth is
selected and no volume is present, check the
volume setting on the infotainment system. Music can be launched by touching
Bluetooth from the recent sources list on
the left of the display or by touching the
More option and then touching the
Bluetooth device.
To play music via Bluetooth:
1. Power on the device, and pair to connect the device.
2. Once paired, touch Audio from the Home Page, then touch Bluetooth from the
recent sources list on the left of the
display.
Bluetooth Sound Menu
See “Infotainment System Sound Menu”
under AM-FM Radio 0155.
Manage Bluetooth Devices
From the Home Page: 1. Touch Audio.
2. Touch More.
3. Touch Bluetooth.
4. Touch Devices to add or delete devices.
When touching Bluetooth, the radio may
not be able to launch the audio player on
the connected device to start playing. When
the vehicle is not moving, use the mobile
device to begin playback. All devices launch audio differently. When
selecting Bluetooth as a source, the radio
may show as paused on the display. Press
play on the device or touch
pon the
display to begin playback.
Browse functionality will be provided where
supported by the Bluetooth device. This
media content will not be part of the
MyMedia source mode.
Some smartphones support sending
Bluetooth music information to display on
the radio. When the radio receives this
information, it will check to see if any is
available and display it. For more
information about supported Bluetooth
features, see my.gmc.com/learn.
OnStar System
4G LTE
If equipped with 4G LTE, up to seven
devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and
laptops, can be connected to high-speed
Internet through the vehicle’s built-in Wi-Fi
hotspot.
Call 1-888-4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to
connect to an OnStar Advisor for assistance.
See www.onstar.com for vehicle availability,

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details, and system limitations. Service and
connectivity may vary by make, model,
year, carrier, availability, and conditions.
4G LTE service is available in select markets.
4G LTE performance is based on industry
averages and vehicle systems design. Some
services require a data plan.
The OnStar App
If equipped, the infotainment system has
OnStar controls in the embedded OnStar app
on the Home Page. Most OnStar functions
that can be performed with the buttons can
be done using the app. To open the app,
touch the OnStar icon on the Home Page.
App updates require a corresponding service
plan. Features vary by region and model.
Features are subject to change. For more
information, see my.gmc.com/learn or
press
Q.
Services
The Services tab displays the default view
for the app. Use this page to launch the
available OnStar services. Touch a service to
open its display. Touch Wi-Fi to launch the
connections manager. Turn-by-Turn and
Advisor Call are the other tiled options. Account
The Account tab displays a snapshot of the
account linked with the vehicle. If there is
no such account, this tab will show all
values as
——. The advisor call icon will be
active even if there is no active account.
Advisor Call
Selecting Advisor Call is the same as
pressing
Qor calling 1-888-4ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827). The X option in the upper
right corner of the screen does not end the
call, but returns to the previous screen.
Turn-by-Turn Directions
With a connected plan, an OnStar Advisor
can download a destination to the vehicle or
its embedded navigation system,
if equipped. Select Turn-by-Turn Directions
from the Services tab of the OnStar app to
call an Advisor or select a recent or favorite
destination. Touch the navigation icons to
select home, address or place. A destination
transfer from OnStar will show the detail
view of the destination when it is
transferred from OnStar to the Navigation
application. See www.onstar.com for a
coverage map. Services vary by model. Map
coverage is available in the United States,
Puerto Rico, and Canada. Wi-Fi Hotspot
Touch to display the Settings page, which
shows the configurations for the vehicle
hotspot and allows them to be changed.
For more information, see www.onstar.com.
Navigation
Using the Navigation System
If equipped, launch the Nav application by
touching the Nav icon on the Home Page or
on the shortcut tray near the bottom of the
infotainment display.
When the Nav application is launched for
the first time, a product walkthrough is
available. Use of the feature requires the
Terms and Conditions and the Privacy
statement to be confirmed. If available and
signed into a profile, it is also suggested to
enable and confirm Predictive Navigation.
Predictive Navigation (If Equipped)
If Predictive Navigation is available and
confirmed, this feature learns preferences by
remembering where the vehicle has been.
It uses the locations and navigation history
to personalize routes and results.