2019-2021 Audi Wireless CarPlay Not Starting TSB

Owners of certain 2019-2021 Audi vehicles may experience issues with Wireless Apple CarPlay failing to start or connect automatically after starting the vehicle. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 21 80 2062466/1, issued on March 10, 2021, provides comprehensive troubleshooting steps for these common connectivity problems.

This TSB is particularly relevant for those experiencing a 2019-2021 Audi Wireless CarPlay not starting issue, offering solutions that can often be performed without a dealer visit.

Symptoms

The primary symptom is the inability to connect a device to the MMI using Wireless Apple CarPlay, or the connection does not automatically initiate after the vehicle starts. This means your iPhone might not link up with your Audi's infotainment system as expected for a seamless CarPlay experience. Other reported symptoms include:

• Intermittent failure of wireless CarPlay to start after the vehicle is turned on.
• Touching the CarPlay tile in the MMI turns it green, but CarPlay does not launch.
• Wireless CarPlay not connecting after a recent iOS update on the iPhone.
• Inability to use Wireless CarPlay after the Audi connect PLUS plan has expired.
• Wireless CarPlay working intermittently.

Technical Background

Wireless CarPlay offers the same functionality as a wired Apple CarPlay connection but without the need for a USB cable. It relies on both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections between your iPhone and the Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) system. The vehicle uses either a Bluetooth connection or a Wi-Fi connection to establish the Wireless CarPlay session.

Audi vehicles are equipped with different MMI systems that support Wireless CarPlay:

• MIB2+ with ConBox Low: Found in some 2019-2021 models, including the 2019 Audi e-tron quattro, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q8, 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q7, Q8, Audi e-tron Sportback, and 2021 Q3. The ConBox Low module controls the Wi-Fi hotspot for these systems.
• MIB3 with ConBox High: Present in some 2021 models, such as the 2021 Audi e-tron quattro, Audi e-tron Sportback, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, and Q8. The ConBox High module manages both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems. Note that MY2020 A4/A5 models with MIB3 do not support Wireless CarPlay.

Initial Pairing for Wireless CarPlay

To allow Wireless CarPlay to work, the following preconditions need to be true (using the preferred method of Bluetooth pairing):

1. SIRI must be enabled and configured in your iPhone (check Settings >> General).
2. Bluetooth must be turned on in both your iPhone and the MMI. Bluetooth is primarily used for the initial setup.
3. Wi-Fi must be turned on in your iPhone. No manual pairing is required for Wi-Fi; your iOS software should prompt you to enable it if it's off.

The pairing process typically involves establishing a Bluetooth connection with the MMI and then accepting a prompt to enable Wireless CarPlay. The customer should establish a Bluetooth pairing using the MMI and upon doing so, accept the prompt to "Use Wireless CarPlay with 'AUDI MMI'?" (Figure 2 in the TSB). Select "Enable Wireless CarPlay" to proceed. Once accepted, the MMI shares the Wi-Fi security credentials to the iPhone over Bluetooth. It is important to note that the customer will never need to manually pair the iPhone to the Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle.

If Apple CarPlay is not active in the MMI after initial setup, turn off Bluetooth on the iPhone and then turn it back on. Once the MMI sees the phone via Bluetooth, it will connect to Wireless CarPlay over the Wi-Fi hotspot, and Bluetooth will then be disabled in the MMI.

Troubleshooting Wireless CarPlay Connection Issues

Several scenarios can lead to a 2019-2021 Audi Wireless CarPlay not starting or connecting properly. Here are the solutions provided in the TSB:

CarPlay Does Not Start Intermittently

Concern: Intermittently after starting the vehicle, wireless CarPlay cannot be started. Upon touching the tile in the MMI, the tile turns green but CarPlay does not start.

Solution: Cycle the CarPlay toggle in the Bluetooth Settings for the Vehicle in the iPhone Settings Menu (Figure 3 in the TSB). To do this, go to iPhone Settings -> Bluetooth, select the little "(i)" icon next to your Audi MMI's name, and then toggle the "CarPlay" option off and back on. This step may need to be repeated anytime this issue occurs again in the future.

CarPlay Not Connecting After iOS Update

Concern: Since the latest iOS update, the customer has had issues with Wireless CarPlay not connecting at times.

Solution: Reset network settings on the iPhone. This can be done by navigating to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings (Figure 4 in the TSB). Be aware that this action resets all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that have been used before.

CarPlay Not Working After Audi connect PLUS Plan Expires

Concern: Since the Audi connect PLUS plan has expired, the customer can no longer use Wireless CarPlay.

Solution: There are two potential solutions:

1. Option 1: Turn on Wi-Fi Assist on your iPhone. This feature helps the iPhone stay connected to Wi-Fi hotspots even if they don't provide internet data, utilizing LTE for internet access. Note that this solution may only work with certain iOS versions and can break after an iOS update.
2. Option 2 (if Option 1 fails): Delete all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairings for the vehicle on both your iPhone and the MMI. Then, perform a new Bluetooth pairing only. It is critical to DO NOT manually connect the iPhone to the Wi-Fi hotspot in the car. If you connect your phone to the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspot, the iPhone will attempt to use the MMI for data consumption. Since no data can be obtained with an expired Plus subscription, Wireless CarPlay will not function.

CarPlay Does Not Turn On Automatically

Concern: What if Apple CarPlay does not turn on automatically after turning on the car?

Solution: Check to ensure the iPhone is not connected to a different Wi-Fi hotspot (e.g., home or work Wi-Fi). Wireless Apple CarPlay requires that the phone be connected to the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspot, either directly or via the private channel. If the iPhone shows no connection to any Wi-Fi hotspot, it could be connected via the private channel for Wireless CarPlay. The key is to ensure the iPhone is not connected to another Wi-Fi hotspot outside of the car.

Intermittent Wireless CarPlay Functionality

Concern: Wireless CarPlay works intermittently, what could be causing this?

Solution: Unlock your iPhone or turn off the USB accessories security feature. Apple has instituted security features in iOS starting with iOS 12 that lock out the use of connected USB accessories, including the MMI, if the iPhone has not been unlocked in the last hour before connecting to the vehicle's USB or wirelessly for CarPlay. Customer must be made aware of this security feature before turning it off. Unlocking the iPhone can resolve this issue.

Understanding 5Ghz Wi-Fi for CarPlay

General Question: What is the 5Ghz Wi-Fi hotspot seen in the vehicle?

Answer: The 5Ghz Wi-Fi is part of the dual-band high-speed Wi-Fi system in the MMI. Modern home routers offer both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. Upon pairing the iPhone to the MMI, the iPhone will typically connect to the 5Ghz hotspot. This connection may NOT be shown in the iPhone Settings >> Wi-Fi when the iPhone is connected for Wireless CarPlay. The 5Ghz band provides higher bandwidth but has a shorter signal range, which is critical for Wireless CarPlay since video and audio are streamed wirelessly.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is informational only and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty.

Source

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) TSB ID: 91 21 80 2062466/1