CarPlay Impressions

**RMBB** · 18-09-2015, 10:52 AM

I will not be getting my car for a little while still

So it would be great if anyone who has CarPlay with an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus to test out the latest iOS release from Apple iOS 9 (released publicly yesterday).

In this release CarPlay now works wirelessly through the Bluetooth connection (as well as the Cable).

Anyone willing to give it a test with their impressions?
Things to lookout for which will be different from cable connection is (but not limited to):
- Responsiveness (lag in the Menus/Maps/Siri)
- Ease of use (what happens when you get in the car and turn it on. Once you've already paired - Everyday wireless use)
- Any bugs/glitches?
- Does the CarPlay app in the car launch automatically like it does when plug the phone in via the cable?
- Does CarPlay need updating to support the new wireless features (VW CarPlay not the phone)?
- Anything else you've noticed

Thanks, much appreciated!

**SIRIoz** · 18-09-2015, 10:59 AM

Car arrives late next week so will be throughly testing iOS 9 with 6+. Apple release notes for iOS9 included:
• CarPlay improvements
- Plays back audio messages, letting you hear from people in their own voices
- Full support for car knob controls, so you can tilt and spin to scroll through lists or pan around in Maps
- Support for CarPlay apps from auto manufacturers

**RMBB** · 18-09-2015, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by SIRIoz

Car arrives late next week so will be throughly testing iOS 9 with 6+. Apple release notes for iOS9 included:
• CarPlay improvements
- Plays back audio messages, letting you hear from people in their own voices
- Full support for car knob controls, so you can tilt and spin to scroll through lists or pan around in Maps
- Support for CarPlay apps from auto manufacturers

Legend! Looking forward to it!

**Ralfi** · 18-09-2015, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by RMBB

In this release CarPlay now works wirelessly through the Bluetooth connection (as well as the Cable).

Anyone willing to give it a test with their impressions?
Things to lookout for which will be different from cable connection is (but not limited to):
- Responsiveness (lag in the Menus/Maps/Siri)
- Ease of use (what happens when you get in the car and turn it on. Once you've already paired - Everyday wireless use)
- Any bugs/glitches?
- Does the CarPlay app in the car launch automatically like it does when plug the phone in via the cable?
- Does CarPlay need updating to support the new wireless features (VW CarPlay not the phone)?
- Anything else you've noticed

Thanks, much appreciated!

Just updating to IOS9 now on my iPhone 5!

I'll aim to test it out over BT over the weekend.

Love how CarPlay is another thing which will be constantly evolving. It's great currently so let's hope it keeps improving!

**mattaus** · 18-09-2015, 04:15 PM

Well I had another crack with AndroidAuto and a few different USB cables. It connected this time but crashed out and then wouldn't reconnect. I'm putting it down to my phone. It's old and running an OS designed for much newer phones so may be struggling (although funnily enough it feels much faster than it did with the stock ROM).

It just annoys me that I get my car in the next 2 weeks, but am waiting until the release of the Nexus 5X (or whatever they call it) before upgrading my phone. I'll have my shiny new MIB-II system and nothing to use it properly with

**Ralfi** · 18-09-2015, 07:10 PM

Well tried to connect to CarPlay via BT a couple of times today after installing IOS9.

No go.

Not surprising seeing as it wasn't mentioned in the IOS update notes.

Edit.....
HANG ON...I just found a setting on the iPhone to enable wireless CarPlay over Bluetooth!!

So I'll be testing it out tomorrow!

Edit....
Ahh still no go....I think it's VW's end which is preventing CarPlay over Bluetooth, as the car manual specifically states "The following points apply when an Apple CarPlay connection is active: it is not [manual's emphasis] possible to connect mobile devices to the infotainment system via Bluetooth".

Also... "The mobile device must [manual emphasis] be connected to the infotainment system via USB."

IOS settings re: setting up CarPlay over Bluetooth; "if your car supports wireless CarPlay [my emphasis], press and hold the voice control button on your steering wheel to start CarPlay set up".....when I did this, nothing happened.

May require a software update from VW?....don't hold breath..

Apologies for getting hopes up!

**RMBB** · 21-09-2015, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Ralfi

Well tried to connect to CarPlay via BT a couple of times today after installing IOS9.

No go.

Not surprising seeing as it wasn't mentioned in the IOS update notes.

Edit.....
HANG ON...I just found a setting on the iPhone to enable wireless CarPlay over Bluetooth!!

So I'll be testing it out tomorrow!

Edit....
Ahh still no go....I think it's VW's end which is preventing CarPlay over Bluetooth, as the car manual specifically states "The following points apply when an Apple CarPlay connection is active: it is not [manual's emphasis] possible to connect mobile devices to the infotainment system via Bluetooth".

Also... "The mobile device must [manual emphasis] be connected to the infotainment system via USB."

IOS settings re: setting up CarPlay over Bluetooth; "if your car supports wireless CarPlay [my emphasis], press and hold the voice control button on your steering wheel to start CarPlay set up".....when I did this, nothing happened.

May require a software update from VW?....don't hold breath..

Apologies for getting hopes up!

Thanks for the investigation Ralfi!

I agree that VW will probably need to update something on their end (and to not hold our breath).
After doing some reading, it looks like there may have to be some software or hardware changes to support Wireless CarPlay. The first hurdle will depend on what Bluetooth version VW use dictating if it can handle the bandwidth for Wireless CarPlay.

Also, just so no one else goes down the CarPlay will use Wi-Fi discussion (because there are a few misleading articles on the internet), it won't, it uses Bluetooth.

If anyone can also confirm that they can't connect wirelessly to CarPlay just let us know what iPhone you've got as well.
The way to test it is to have iOS9 on iPhone 5 and above. Then go into Settings > General > CarPlay > Select 'Turn on Bluetooth' if it comes up.

I feel like there should be a way to make the car search for the phone to complete the paring process.

Anyway, let me know if anyone else has any success or failure. Thanks!

**SIRIoz** · 26-09-2015, 02:19 PM

No wireless. iPhone 6s+ in alltrack golf

**RMBB** · 28-09-2015, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by SIRIoz

No wireless. iPhone 6s+ in alltrack golf

Thanks for checking SIRIoz, I'm starting to think an update will be required. I have a hunch that the Bluetooth and hardware currently in the cars would be capable of it. Just a question of whether VW will update their software.

Will have to call VW and ask if they will be supporting it in the future to find out for sure.