2018-2026 Audi e-tron Apple CarPlay Connection Issues

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles, including the e-tron, may experience several issues with their Apple CarPlay connection. The primary complaint is an unreliable connection to Apple CarPlay™.

Specific symptoms reported include:

• "Automatic (re)connection of Apple CarPlay™ does not work."
• "Connecting Apple CarPlay™ manually only works sporadically."
• "Connecting via USB cable works as expected."

Additional related complaints cover various aspects of functionality and control modules, such as: "functionality -> no function", "functionality -> operation sequence incorrect", "functionality -> cannot be switched off/deactivated", "functionality -> operation complicated", "control modules, services -> communication interrupted", "control modules, services -> error message", "control modules, services -> no access", "control modules, services -> no data transfer", and "control modules, services -> service unavailable."

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) indicates that the Audi e-tron CarPlay connection issues can often be reproduced using the customer's own phone. However, when tested with different Apple devices, the connection typically functions reliably. Similarly, the customer's phone may successfully pair with other comparable vehicles.

This suggests that the problem often stems from specific MMI (Multi Media Interface) or phone settings, or potential limitations within the phone's software. Audi recommends that technicians always verify the complaint using the newest available phone software to rule out software-related causes.

Important Warnings

Repair Procedure Summary

This TSB outlines a series of troubleshooting steps for resolving issues with the Audi e-tron CarPlay connection. The procedure involves making adjustments within both the vehicle's MMI system and the owner's iPhone.

In the MMI (Audi Multi Media Interface)

1. Delete Existing Pairings: Access the Audi smartphone interface in the MMI. Press and hold on the affected phone's entry to open a window with further information and the option to delete the connection. (Refer to Figure 1 in the original TSB for visual guidance).
2. Verify Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Names: Navigate to the connection manager in the MMI. Confirm that the Wi-Fi hotspot name matches the Bluetooth name of the MMI. (Figures 2 and 3 illustrate these settings).
3. Set Wi-Fi Password: Ensure that a password is set for the Wi-Fi hotspot.

On the iPhone

1. Delete Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspots: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Edit (top right) on your iPhone. Remove both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz vehicle Wi-Fi hotspots from the list of known networks. (Figure 4 provides a visual example).
2. Delete Vehicle Bluetooth Pairing: In your iPhone's Settings, go to Bluetooth. Tap the blue "i" icon next to the vehicle's device entry and select "Forget this device". (Figure 5 shows this step).
3. Delete Vehicle CarPlay Settings: Access Settings > General > CarPlay on your iPhone. Select the vehicle and then choose "Forget this car". (Figure 6 demonstrates this process).
4. Re-pair and Setup: After performing all the above steps, re-pair your phone to the vehicle via the Audi Smartphone Interface (ASI) tile in the MMI. Then, set up CarPlay again for the iPhone in the vehicle.
5. Reset Network Settings (Optional): If issues persist, especially after an iOS update or when switching to a new iPhone, consider resetting your iPhone's network settings. This is done via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Be aware this will remove all saved Wi-Fi connections.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 2073582/2) is primarily informational if the vehicle is outside of its warranty period. For warranty claims, the following codes apply:

• Service Number: 9109
• Damage Code: AD39
• Labor Operations:
  • Check display and operating unit: 9196 0199 (20 Time Units)
  • GFF: No allowance (0 Time Units)
• Claim Comment: "As per TSB 2073582/2"

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review or audit.

Source

NHTSA ID: 11017638