2018 Audi A4 Apple Carplay/Smartphone Interface not working with iphone 7 PLUS

[AudiSince2007]

I purchased a new 2018 Audi A4 ultra Premium Plus a couple of weeks ago. I can connect my phone via bluetooth but the smartphone interface/Apple Carplay just won't work. I use the Audi-supplied USB cable (I had no choice because I needed a car fast and this option was included to the car I wanted) and all it does it just charge the phone and it's the same with my Apple Lightning USB cable. After back and forth with AudiUSA customer service for about 9 days the final verdict I received is that I should visit a dealership. At least the reps stopped telling me to try other usb cables, other usb ports, restart the phone, is the phone updated? and etc. I asked the representative if Audi will pay for the car rental and time off my work, and I received no answer to that. All the dealerships I've visited while owning Audi for 11 years had offered me no loaner car and when I asked the answer I received was "We're all out."

I'm very disappointed and ticket off right now. A brand new car and I need to take it to a dealership for troubleshooting. I read the owner's manual and followed Audi website instructions and other forums for help but I must take it to a dealership at this point during the busy Holiday season. And after some research other owners seem to have similar issues.

[Audi USA]

I purchased a new 2018 Audi A4 ultra Premium Plus a couple of weeks ago. I can connect my phone via bluetooth but the smartphone interface/Apple Carplay just won't work. I use the Audi-supplied USB cable (I had no choice because I needed a car fast and this option was included to the car I wanted) and all it does it just charge the phone and it's the same with my Apple Lightning USB cable. After back and forth with AudiUSA customer service for about 9 days the final verdict I received is that I should visit a dealership. At least the reps stopped telling me to try other usb cables, other usb ports, restart the phone, is the phone updated? and etc. I asked the representative if Audi will pay for the car rental and time off my work, and I received no answer to that. All the dealerships I've visited while owning Audi for 11 years had offered me no loaner car and when I asked the answer I received was "We're all out."

I'm very disappointed and ticket off right now. A brand new car and I need to take it to a dealership for troubleshooting. I read the owner's manual and followed Audi website instructions and other forums for help but I must take it to a dealership at this point during the busy Holiday season. And after some research other owners seem to have similar issues.

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out and providing the details on your experience. If possible I would prefer a PM with your contact information so I can make sure that all the troubleshooting steps that we are able to complete at the Customer Experience Center have taken place. Regrettably, we are not professional technicians so if there is a deeper concern at hand only a certified Audi dealership is able to diagnose the concern and perform the required repairs.

We want to do everything in our power to ensure that you have the most enjoyable Audi experience possible, including the actual functionality of the vehicle and your impression on the brand. I look forward to your response with your information.

Best regards,

[guy_incognito]

I purchased a new 2018 Audi A4 ultra Premium Plus a couple of weeks ago. I can connect my phone via bluetooth but the smartphone interface/Apple Carplay just won't work. I use the Audi-supplied USB cable (I had no choice because I needed a car fast and this option was included to the car I wanted) and all it does it just charge the phone and it's the same with my Apple Lightning USB cable. After back and forth with AudiUSA customer service for about 9 days the final verdict I received is that I should visit a dealership. At least the reps stopped telling me to try other usb cables, other usb ports, restart the phone, is the phone updated? and etc. I asked the representative if Audi will pay for the car rental and time off my work, and I received no answer to that. All the dealerships I've visited while owning Audi for 11 years had offered me no loaner car and when I asked the answer I received was "We're all out."

I'm very disappointed and ticket off right now. A brand new car and I need to take it to a dealership for troubleshooting. I read the owner's manual and followed Audi website instructions and other forums for help but I must take it to a dealership at this point during the busy Holiday season. And after some research other owners seem to have similar issues.

I had a similar issue after getting my car a couple of weeks ago. I tried using the Audi cables plus an official lightning cable from Apple and the phone would simply charge, no prompt to do anything. First check to make sure CarPlay is enabled on your phone by going to General > Restrictions and see if CarPlay is restricted or not (by default I believe it is turned on).

After some messing around over the course of a few days, I finally got it working. I had to go, via the MMI, to Menu > Audi smartphone interface > Change to connection manager (I plugged my phone in at this point) > Audi smartphone, after that just follow the prompts on both the MMI and your phone to get CarPlay set up. Hopefully that works for you.

I'm on an iPhoneX that, at the time, was running 11.1. I'm now on 11.2 and it still works fine regardless of what cable I use. The car in question is a 2018 A4 Prestige.

[AudiSince2007]

I had a similar issue after getting my car a couple of weeks ago. I tried using the Audi cables plus an official lightning cable from Apple and the phone would simply charge, no prompt to do anything. First check to make sure CarPlay is enabled on your phone by going to General > Restrictions and see if CarPlay is restricted or not (by default I believe it is turned on).

After some messing around over the course of a few days, I finally got it working. I had to go, via the MMI, to Menu > Audi smartphone interface > Change to connection manager (I plugged my phone in at this point) > Audi smartphone, after that just follow the prompts on both the MMI and your phone to get CarPlay set up. Hopefully that works for you.

I'm on an iPhoneX that, at the time, was running 11.1. I'm now on 11.2 and it still works fine regardless of what cable I use. The car in question is a 2018 A4 Prestige.

Thank you for your very helpful reply! After about two days' hiatus out of frustration your reply gave me the courage to restart the process, haha. I followed that MMI menu again per instructions and your suggestion but when it reached Audi Smartphone prompt, it just told me "No device is connected." I double-checked to make sure my iPhone is using the latest iOS (11.2.1 for iPhone 7 Plus). Restarted the phone, the car, and still trying different options with MMI and checking iPhone settings including Siri again, nothing was happening. So after about 15 minutes of doing that, I decided to drive home from work. I kept the phone connected via bluetooth so I can listen to the music, and also left the USB cable connected.

And here's the oddest thing... Approximately 35 minutes of driving later the bluetooth all the sudden disconnected and the MMI screen flashed the Apple Carplay logo. And I went to my phone (while driving which I shouldn't have) setting up the Carplay and things are working just fine. I don't understand why and how but I suppose leaving the phone connected via USB and bluetooth somehow activated a sleeping program in the MMI.

Hate to admit, but I felt like a joyous kid because I work a lot and my car's one of a few things in my life that gives me satisfaction, ha.

[guy_incognito]

Thank you for your very helpful reply! After about two days' hiatus out of frustration your reply gave me the courage to restart the process, haha. I followed that MMI menu again per instructions and your suggestion but when it reached Audi Smartphone prompt, it just told me "No device is connected." I double-checked to make sure my iPhone is using the latest iOS (11.2.1 for iPhone 7 Plus). Restarted the phone, the car, and still trying different options with MMI and checking iPhone settings including Siri again, nothing was happening. So after about 15 minutes of doing that, I decided to drive home from work. I kept the phone connected via bluetooth so I can listen to the music, and also left the USB cable connected.

And here's the oddest thing... Approximately 35 minutes of driving later the bluetooth all the sudden disconnected and the MMI screen flashed the Apple Carplay logo. And I went to my phone (while driving which I shouldn't have) setting up the Carplay and things are working just fine. I don't understand why and how but I suppose leaving the phone connected via USB and bluetooth somehow activated a sleeping program in the MMI.

Hate to admit, but I felt like a joyous kid because I work a lot and my car's one of a few things in my life that gives me satisfaction, ha.

Haha wow, strange it took so long to connect but I'm glad you finally got it working.

[buddy497]

Thank you for your very helpful reply! After about two days' hiatus out of frustration your reply gave me the courage to restart the process, haha. I followed that MMI menu again per instructions and your suggestion but when it reached Audi Smartphone prompt, it just told me "No device is connected." I double-checked to make sure my iPhone is using the latest iOS (11.2.1 for iPhone 7 Plus). Restarted the phone, the car, and still trying different options with MMI and checking iPhone settings including Siri again, nothing was happening. So after about 15 minutes of doing that, I decided to drive home from work. I kept the phone connected via bluetooth so I can listen to the music, and also left the USB cable connected.

And here's the oddest thing... Approximately 35 minutes of driving later the bluetooth all the sudden disconnected and the MMI screen flashed the Apple Carplay logo. And I went to my phone (while driving which I shouldn't have) setting up the Carplay and things are working just fine. I don't understand why and how but I suppose leaving the phone connected via USB and bluetooth somehow activated a sleeping program in the MMI.

Hate to admit, but I felt like a joyous kid because I work a lot and my car's one of a few things in my life that gives me satisfaction, ha.

I've had my Q5 for 4 years. Car Play always automatically loaded upon plugging in the phone. Suddenly, it stopped. I've spent hours over several days with no success then I ran across your post. Step by step directions were great! For some reason (sometimes I think my car has ghosts) the Car Play box was unchecked. Rechecked it and it worked. But I would never had found the correct menu without your instructions.

[kngfisher]

Keep us updated as mine keeps intermittently connects and disconnects. 2019 rs5 and iPhone 12 Pro with iOS 15.4.1. Very frustrating when trying to use navigation from phone via CarPlay


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