2022-2026 Audi CarPlay Takes Over Audio TSB

Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 24 34 2072959/2, released on July 27, 2024, addresses a common concern for owners of various Audi models from 2022 to 2026. This bulletin supersedes an earlier version, TSB 24-68 dated February 9, 2024, and provides updated guidance for situations where Audi Apple CarPlay takes over audio or displays on the screen without explicit user input.

This TSB is particularly relevant for vehicles equipped with the Audi Smartphone Interface. It aims to help technicians and owners understand why Apple CarPlay might unexpectedly activate and how to manage these occurrences.

Symptoms

Owners may notice that while using other functions like the radio, media player, or navigation, Apple CarPlay suddenly displays in the foreground. The system may also "take over the vehicle's audio without user intervention", interrupting the current sound source. This can be a frustrating experience, especially if it happens frequently.

Important Warnings

Audi advises that if other TSBs regarding the customer's complaint are published, those TSBs would take precedence over the troubleshooting guide provided in this document. Additionally, owners should be aware of the following:

• Notification Display: The notification that triggers CarPlay may not necessarily be displayed on the CarPlay screen. Depending on the app, the notification may only be displayed on the iPhone's screen. However, the iPhone may still "take over" the MMI screen. In such cases, the MMI screen should return to its previous context within a few seconds, which is considered expected behavior.
• myAudi App Wi-Fi: The Wi-Fi connection in the myAudi app is required for online radio or Amazon Music on older infotainment system generations. Switching it off therefore has no effect on newer infotainment system generations.

Understanding the Issue

The technical background provided in TSB 91 24 34 2072959/2 indicates that the Apple device itself largely controls when CarPlay displays or takes over the vehicle's audio. There are various reasons why this might happen, often related to how the iPhone interacts with the vehicle's infotainment system. The TSB outlines various scenarios and corresponding troubleshooting steps.

Common Causes and Solutions

If your Audi Apple CarPlay takes over audio or the screen unexpectedly, consider these potential causes and their respective solutions:

1. iPhone Notifications

When a notification is displayed on your iPhone, it can sometimes cause CarPlay to activate. While the notification might not always appear on the CarPlay screen, the iPhone can still "take over the MMI screen." This is considered expected behavior. To prevent this, you can disable notifications for specific apps directly on your iPhone. CarPlay notifications for certain apps may also need to be deactivated separately within your phone's notification settings.

• Action: To deactivate notifications, locate the corresponding app within your iPhone's notification settings. Figure 1 in the TSB illustrates this process, showing an iPhone's notification settings screen with options for Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners, along with Banner Style and Sounds settings. A specific example given is Settings > WhatsApp > Notifications.

2. iPhone Connection Loss and Reconnection

If your iPhone temporarily loses its connection to the vehicle and then reconnects, you might see a "Smartphone interface deactivated" message on the MMI. Once the connection is re-established, CarPlay will typically reappear after a few seconds. This is also expected behavior.

• Diagnosis: Dropped connections can occur for various reasons, both inside and outside the vehicle. Analyzing the cause of these dropped connections is recommended.
• Related TSBs: For further information on connection issues, Audi refers to TSB 2068838 and TSB 2073582. Always consult the TSBs applicable to your vehicle's VIN.
• Preventing Auto-Start: If you do not want CarPlay to automatically start (either after a connection loss or after starting the vehicle), you can turn this feature off in your iPhone settings. Navigate to Settings > General > CarPlay > Select vehicle > Switch off radio button "CarPlay". After this, you must manually select the telephone in the MMI to use Apple CarPlay.

3. The myAudi App Pops Up in the Foreground

When your vehicle connects to your phone, the myAudi app may pop up in the foreground to establish a connection, depending on your settings. This behavior is generally not relevant when using Apple CarPlay and can be deactivated.

• Action: Figure 2 in the TSB shows how to deactivate this. This involves navigating through the myAudi app settings, specifically looking at