2019-2022 Audi Wireless CarPlay Not Connecting TSB

Owners of 2019-2022 Audi vehicles may experience issues with Wireless Apple CarPlay failing to connect or starting automatically. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 2062466/2), issued on January 25, 2022, and superseding TSB Group 91 number 21-80 dated March 10, 2021, provides comprehensive guidance on diagnosing and resolving these common connectivity problems, ensuring your Audi e-tron CarPlay fault is properly addressed.

Symptoms

Owners typically report one of the following symptoms related to Wireless Apple CarPlay:

• The device cannot connect to the MMI using Wireless Apple CarPlay.
• The connection does not automatically start after starting the vehicle.
• 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.
• Apple CarPlay does not turn on automatically after turning on the car.
• Wireless CarPlay works intermittently.

Technical Background

Wireless CarPlay utilizes the vehicle's Wi-Fi system to provide the same functionality as wired Apple CarPlay, eliminating the need for a USB connection. The initial pairing process, however, uses Bluetooth. It's crucial to understand that the vehicle establishes a Wireless CarPlay session either when the iPhone is connected via Bluetooth or when it sees the iPhone connected to the in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot.

Audi vehicles use different ConBox systems depending on the MMI version, which affects how Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are controlled:

• MIB2+ MMI: The Wi-Fi hotspot is controlled by the ConBox Low module, while the MMI controls the Bluetooth system.
• MIB3 MMI: Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems are controlled by the ConBox High module.

Wireless CarPlay sessions can be initiated via two primary methods:

1. Bluetooth Connection: The vehicle recognizes the iPhone when it's connected via Bluetooth, and the iPhone uses its own data plan (LTE) for internet access.
2. Wi-Fi Connection: The vehicle recognizes the iPhone when it's connected to the in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. The iPhone attempts to use the Wi-Fi hotspot data, but if Wi-Fi Assist is enabled on iOS, it may try to use the phone's data plan.

Important Warnings

• MY 2020 A4/A5 models with MIB3 do not support Wireless CarPlay.
• When using Wired or Wireless CarPlay, the MMI does not store any personal or location data from the phone. The MMI functions as a remote display for the phone, and only video, audio, and vehicle GPS data are passed between the phone and the MMI. When the CarPlay session is ended, only the phone's MAC ID is stored in the MMI. When using navigation applications on the phone, the vehicle's GPS location information is provided to the phone. The phone's current and historical location information is never sent to the MMI and is not possible to be stored in the MMI.
• If you connect a phone to the Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle, the iPhone will try to use the MMI for data consumption. Since no data can be obtained with an expired Plus subscription, then Wireless CarPlay will not work since data is required for CarPlay in general. DO NOT manually connect the iPhone to the Wi-Fi hotspot in the car if your Audi Connect PLUS plan has expired.
• The solution involving Wi-Fi Assist for expired Audi Connect PLUS plans only works with some iOS versions and can break during an iOS update.
• Resetting network settings on your iPhone will reset ALL SAVED Wi-Fi networks and the associated passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that have been used before.

Initial Pairing Preconditions

For Wireless CarPlay to function correctly, the following preconditions must be met using the preferred Bluetooth pairing method:

1. SIRI must be enabled and configured on the iPhone, accessible via "Check Settings >> General."
2. Bluetooth must be turned on for both the iPhone and the MMI. Bluetooth is only used for the initial setup.
3. Wi-Fi must be turned on on the iPhone. If it's not, the iOS software should prompt the user to enable it.

Pairing Procedure for Wireless CarPlay

To establish a Wireless CarPlay connection using the MMI system:

1. The customer should establish a Bluetooth pairing using the MMI. During this process, they must accept the prompt to enable wireless CarPlay. This prompt will appear as "Use Wireless CarPlay with 'AUDI MMI'?" with options "Enable Wireless CarPlay" and "Use USB Only."
2. Accept the prompts in the MMI to enable wireless CarPlay. The MMI shares the Wi-Fi security credentials to the iPhone over Bluetooth upon acceptance. It is important to note that the customer will never need to manually pair the iPhone to the Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle.
3. At this point, Apple CarPlay should be active in the MMI. If the CarPlay session is not active, 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 then Bluetooth will be disabled in the MMI.

When using the Bluetooth pairing method, the iPhone does not use the Wi-Fi hotspot for data consumption. Instead, a private channel for communication is set up between the MMI and the iPhone ONLY for Wireless CarPlay. The Audi hotspot name will not be shown in the settings of the iPhone when connected to the MMI for Wireless CarPlay. The iPhone will continue to use the LTE network for data. The Bluetooth system is not used once the CarPlay session is active in the MMI and automatically turned off.

Troubleshooting Scenarios and Solutions

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.

This situation can occur when the MMI attempts to start Wireless CarPlay but cannot find the iPhone on the MMI's Wi-Fi network, often because the iPhone is still active on a different Wi-Fi hotspot (e.g., home or work network). Wireless CarPlay sessions operate over Wi-Fi, but Bluetooth communication is used initially to tell the MMI that the iPhone is present and ready to use Wireless CarPlay and to share the Wi-Fi security information.

Another cause is if the iPhone was manually paired to the 2.4Ghz band of the car's Wi-Fi hotspot. The MMI has two bands for Wi-Fi: 2.4Ghz (labeled AUDI_XXXX) and 5Ghz (labeled AUDI_XXXX_5Ghz). Apple CarPlay uses the 5Ghz band, which is automatically chosen during the first pairing. If the customer manually pairs the iPhone to the 2.4Ghz band, it can cause constant switching between the two bands, disrupting Wireless CarPlay.

To fix this specific Audi e-tron CarPlay fault, in the iPhone settings, go to the Bluetooth settings for the MMI. Select the little "(i)" next to the MMI's name, and then cycle the "CarPlay" option off and back on. If CarPlay does not automatically start, reselect it in the MMI. This step will need to be repeated anytime this issue occurs again in the future.

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.

Tap "Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings." This action resets all saved Wi-Fi networks and their associated passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that have been used before.

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

Solution: Either turn on Wi-Fi assist or delete pairings for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and perform a new Bluetooth pairing only.

This scenario typically arises if the customer manually connected the iPhone to the MMI's hotspot using the SSID and password (Wi-Fi pairing method). If the customer does not have an active Audi Connect PLUS plan (which is not required for Wireless CarPlay) and the iPhone does not have Cellular Wi-Fi assist turned on, the iPhone will disconnect from the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspot if internet data is not provided. Leaving Cellular Wi-Fi Assist on forces the iPhone to stay connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot that does not provide internet data but will utilize LTE for the internet data only.

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.

Wireless Apple CarPlay requires the customer's phone to be connected to the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspot, either directly or via the private channel (which is not visible in the iPhone Wi-Fi settings). Ensure the iPhone is not connected to a home or work Wi-Fi hotspot. If the iPhone shows no connection to any Wi-Fi hotspot, it could be connected via the private Wireless CarPlay. The key is to ensure the iPhone is not connected to another Wi-Fi hotspot outside of the car.

Concern: Wireless CarPlay works intermittently. What could be causing this?

Solution: Unlock iPhone or turn off USB accessories security feature (Customer must be aware of this security feature before turning it off).

Apple has instituted security features in iOS, starting with iOS 12. The newest feature locks out the use of connected USB accessories, including the MMI, if the iPhone has not been unlocked in the last hour before connecting the iPhone to the vehicle's USB or wirelessly for CarPlay. Unlocking the iPhone or disabling this security feature can resolve this Audi e-tron CarPlay fault.

5Ghz Wi-Fi Hotspot Explanation

The 5Ghz Wi-Fi hotspot seen in the vehicle is part of the dual-band high-speed Wi-Fi system in the MMI. Most modern home routers are also dual-band, offering both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. In most cases, upon pairing the iPhone to the MMI, the iPhone will connect to the 5Ghz hotspot, which is normal. However, this connection may NOT be shown in the "iPhone Settings >> Wi-Fi" menu when the iPhone is connected for Wireless CarPlay. The 5Ghz band allows for 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 is informational only and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty.

Required Parts and Tools

This TSB does not specify any particular parts or special tools. All part and service references provided in this TSB (2062466) are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins. It is also recommended to check the Repair Manual for fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during any repair.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10214644