2019-2022 Audi Apple CarPlay Screen Blank TSB

About This Bulletin

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 22 92 2065728/2, issued on March 29, 2022, addresses concerns with the Apple CarPlay display. This revision 2 supersedes the previous TSB Group 91 number 22-66, dated January 14, 2022.

Key updates in this revision include a revised title to clarify applicability to MIB2+ and MIB3 infotainment systems, an expanded header to include all models with MIB2+, an updated technical background with Apple's analysis results, and a new section in the service procedure detailing a hardware bug.

This bulletin applies to various 2019-2022 Audi models. A complete list of affected vehicles can be found in the NHTSA document linked below.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2019-2022 Audi vehicles may experience the following issues when using wireless Apple CarPlay (wACP) via the MMI system:

• An iPhone is connected to the vehicle's MMI system via wireless Apple CarPlay.
• The Audi Smartphone Integration (ASI) feature is selected in the vehicle.
• "Audi dropouts can be heard."
• The ASI display goes blank. The shortcut bar on the left side of the screen, as well as the top dropdown menu anchor, can still be seen on the screen, as depicted in Figure 1 of the original document.

Technical Explanation

Workshop findings indicate that no relevant Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are stored in the vehicle's system related to this issue. The 2019-2022 Audi Apple CarPlay screen blank problem is not a fault within the Audi vehicle itself.

The technical background reveals two primary causes:

1. Apple iOS Software Bug: A non-standard behavior in current Apple iOS versions (including all 14.x and 15.x versions) prevents the iPhone from successfully sending screen data to the vehicle's MMI system.
2. iPhone Hardware Issue: A specific hardware problem within the WiFi chipset of certain iPhone models, namely iPhone 8, iPhone X, and iPhone XR, can also cause the display to go blank.

Important Warnings and Owner Actions

Audi advises that no repair is currently available for this concern, as it originates from the connected iPhone's software or hardware. Dealers are instructed: "Do not perform any repairs. Any repairs for this concern may be denied."

• For iPhone 8, iPhone X, and iPhone XR owners: The blank display is due to a hardware issue in the WiFi chipset of these older phone models. Since these models are no longer in production, no repair will be available. Owners are advised to use a wired connection to utilize Apple CarPlay functionality.
• For all other iPhone models: The issue is attributed to a bug in the iPhone's operating system (iOS). Apple is actively investigating the root cause and is working on a software solution, which will be distributed in a future iOS update.

Workarounds and Recommendations

While a permanent fix for the iOS software bug is pending, some temporary workarounds may help:

• In some cases, navigating to the home menu by clicking the home shortcut on the left side of the screen and then re-entering Audi Smartphone Integration (ASI) can resolve the concern.
• Disconnecting and then reconnecting the iPhone might also alleviate the issue.
• Audi strongly recommends that customers "always use the most current iOS software for iPhone to ensure the most up-to-date user experience."

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin is informational only and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty. The issues described are related to external devices (iPhones) and their operating systems or hardware, not a defect covered under Audi's vehicle warranty.

NHTSA ID: 10220603