Setting up a unique wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) name in your vehicle is both safe and convenient for you and your passengers. If you own a GMC Sierra, then you may be wondering how this process works. Don't worry, because we've done the research for your convenience.
To change your Wi-Fi name as well as your password in your GMC Sierra, you have a few options.
- Through Wi-Fi settings in the myGMC mobile app
- Through the Onstar Remotelink mobile app
- Navigate to the Intellilink infotainment system's Wi-Fi Hotspot menu (for some GMC models)
- Call an Onstar advisor
If you're keen to know how about the details of changing your GMC Sierra's Wi-Fi name, then do read on. We have prepared step-by-step instructions for you.
How Do I Reset My GMC Wi-Fi?
In many cases, manufacturers give their Wi-Fi routers or access points very similar names or service set identifiers (SSID). If there is only one available Wi-Fi connection in the area, then a generic factory-assigned SSID is no problem.
The complication arises when there are many available, similarly-named Wi-Fi connections. You may have already experienced such a situation in a hotel, a large apartment complex, or a large office.
In our particular case of in-vehicle Wi-Fi, try thinking of a parking lot or a traffic jam. If you try to search for available Wi-Fi connections in crowded areas, you may end up with a very long list. Finding your own connection may be very tough unless you have a unique and easily-identifiable SSID.
So how do you change your Wi-Fi name on your GMC Sierra? Depending on your Sierra's trim or model year, there are a few options.
- myGMC mobile app
- Onstar customer support
- Onstar Remotelink mobile app
- Intellilink infotainment system menu
We'll discuss these options more in the following sections.
myGMC Mobile App
The myGMC mobile app is a user-friendly tool that allows GMC car owners to manage many of their vehicles' features. Using the app, you can:
- Use the app as a digital key fob
- Monitor your vehicle's status and location
- Stay updated on your vehicle's health and servicing schedule
- Learn more about the vehicle with a digital owner's manual as well as videos
- Set up and change your connectivity settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password
If you're already a GMC Sierra owner, then you can download the myGMC app on your Apple or Android smartphone. Once you have the app, you can sign in to your existing myGMC account or create a new profile.
For new myGMC profiles, you should use the same e-mail address you provided to your GMC dealer for your Onstar Services account. With this e-mail address, the myGMC app will match your profile to your GMC vehicle automatically.
Once you have logged in to the myGMC app, you will go through a guided tour on how to set up and personalize your vehicle's features. This will include setting up your in-vehicle Wi-Fi name as well as your password.
myGMC Through Intellilink Infotainment System
Aside from your smartphone, your GMC Sierra's Intellilink infotainment system can also provide you access to your myGMC account. To access your account for the first time through the infotainment system, you will need to turn on or start your vehicle.
- Tap on the myGMC app on your Intellilink infotainment screen
- Review and accept the app's service terms
- Sign in with your myGMC e-mail and password
- Navigate to Wi-Fi Hotspot Settings
- View or configure your Wi-Fi name and Wi-Fi password
If you have a 2015 or older GMC Sierra, it's possible that you don't have a myGMC account yet. However, you can still use your active Onstar app in your Intellilink infotainment system to configure your Wi-Fi settings.
Instead of the myGMC app icon, you will need to select the Onstar icon on your Intellilink infotainment screen.
Onstar Remotelink Mobile App
Onstar is a subscription-based vehicle safety and security system designed specifically for General Motors vehicles. To be specific, this group includes the Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac brands. Aside from safety and security, the Onstar system also provides connectivity features like Wi-Fi service.
Once logged in to the Onstar app, you may navigate to the "Edit Hotspot Settings" page to set your preferred Wi-Fi SSID and password.
New GMC vehicle owners can avail themselves of a 1-month free trial to Onstar services. After the trial period, satisfied owners can choose from a variety of subscription plans that can suit their requirements.
Here's a short video on how to use the Onstar Remotelink app.
Onstar Advisor
According to the GMC Sierra owner's manual, you can also call an Onstar advisor to help you change your Wi-Fi SSID and password. To do this, you will need to press the blue "Onstar button" on your headliner or your rearview mirror. Alternatively, you may try calling 1-888-4ONSTAR from your mobile phone.
Check out this video about the benefits of having an Onstar subscription. The video also shows a live call to an Onstar advisor.
How Many Devices Can Connect To Car Wi-Fi?
Your GMC Sierra's Wi-Fi service allows you to connect up to seven devices. Although the GMC Sierra can seat a maximum of five adults, you can still use the extra two slots if you have multiple devices.
For $25 a month, you can subscribe to GMC's "Connected Vehicle" subscription plan and get a 4G/LTE connection with unlimited data.
Is Car Wi-Fi Better Than Phone Hotspot?
In-vehicle Wi-Fi internet connection has become a popular automotive feature, especially in the past few years. After businesses adopted remote working arrangements due to COVID-19, many professionals became burned out from always being at home. Many of them started going on road trips.
Going to remote or scenic places can restore a burned-out worker's energy, and nowadays, perhaps even his or her sanity. For some people, the drive itself can already be therapeutic. However, in today's connected world, many of us cannot afford to go offline for extended periods.
In these cases, having a fast and stable internet connection is not just advantageous, but also compulsory at times. After all, you can't have smooth online video conferences or send large files with anything less.
Of course, you may use your smartphone's Wi-Fi tethering feature to share your data plan with other devices in your car. However, in-vehicle Wi-Fi has certain advantages over mobile hotspots.
- In-vehicle Wi-Fi uses bigger and more powerful antennae for stronger and more stable connections from carriers.
- You won't discharge your smartphone's battery as you would when you open your phone's hotspot.
- You can get your vehicle's over-the-air software updates automatically through your vehicle's internet connection.
How To Watch Netflix On GMC Sierra
Aside from work-related activities, you may also want to use your GMC Sierra's Wi-Fi connection for entertainment purposes. For example, you might want to stream your favorite Netflix shows while you're on the road.
Please take note, however, that watching entertainment videos on your vehicle's front infotainment screen is unsafe and illegal. Moreover, your GMC's Intellilink infotainment system will not allow it.
Although some third-party apps and aftermarket devices can allow you to bypass your infotainment system's restrictions, you may also consider upgrading to a rear entertainment system. As it happens, GMC offers this upgrade for the Sierra.
GMC's rear infotainment package uses two 8-inch touchscreen monitors mounted behind the front headrests. The system's features are as follows.
- Multiple media compatibility: SD Card, HDMI, DVD, smartphone, USB, wi-fi, and gaming system
- Video synchronization or content sharing between screens
- User-friendly infotainment system controls using the touchscreen, a remote, or a mobile app
- Wireless headphones
You may mirror your smartphone's Netflix videos to your rear infotainment screens without any video restrictions. Alternatively, you may also use aftermarket multimedia boxes or official Apple, Roku, and Amazon streaming devices.
Of course, all of these devices will need a stable internet connection for smooth and high-quality video streaming. Your GMC's Wi-Fi connection will be able to provide this connection better than your smartphone's hotspot can.
Can A Sierra 1500 Tow A Travel Trailer?
For GMC Sierra owners who really want to get away from their work-from-home routine, a trailer trip might be a fresh and welcome break. When properly equipped, the GMC Sierra has a maximum towing capacity of 11,800 pounds. This is enough for many large travel trailers.
Because the Sierra's Wi-Fi range can reach up to 50 feet, you can get a signal even from the far end of a towed travel trailer.
Wrapping Up
You can change your GMC Sierra's Wi-Fi name and password through your myGMC phone app, your Intellilink infotainment system, or your Onstar account. You may also call an Onstar advisor to help you with the process.
Thank you very much for reading. We hope we were able to help you figure out how to change your GMC Sierra's Wi-Fi name as well as your password.
For more interesting reads about the GMC Sierra and other automotive topics, you may also check out these great articles.
How To Adjust Pedals On GMC Sierra
