Carplay needs WiFI?
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Carplay needs WiFI?
I have been trying to figure out the best way to get my carplay working. I used the bluetooth, it allows sound to come from the system on my EQS 580, however, it makes me connect to the car WiFi to make it work for Carplay, so when I do that, it does not allow me to download data like playing podcast or Spotify unless they are downloaded on the device, it is asking me to subscribe to ATT for data plan at 15 dollars a month for 1GB data or 240 dollars a year for unlimited data. Is anyone having the problem I am having?
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Wireless CarPlay does use Wi-Fi yes, because Bluetooth doesn't have enough bandwidth, however the Wi-Fi connection is separate from the hotspot Wi-Fi connection. You don't need to connect to the hotspot for CarPlay to work. CarPlay handles the Wi-Fi connection itself. It sets it up during the initial Bluetooth handshake and you can continue to use cellular for your data, so you don't have to pay for the hotspot. I never had issues with this in any car including the EQS. After you pair your phone via Bluetooth it should ask you if you wanna use CarPlay and then you just say yes. That's all that's needed and don't connect to the car's hotspot. Having said that, MBUX 2 is super buggy in my experience. In every loaner I've driven in the last 2 years, CarPlay starts crashing after a fairly short time. Connecting it via USB is a bit more stable, but still crashes. I've had issues in Audis and VWs as well, but in my own car and in BMWs I have driven it works flawlessly.
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 3, 2024 at 02:45 PM.
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Wireless CarPlay does use Wi-Fi yes, because Bluetooth doesn't have enough bandwidth, however the Wi-Fi connection is separate from the hotspot Wi-Fi connection. You don't need to connect to the hotspot for CarPlay to work. CarPlay handles the Wi-Fi connection itself. It sets it up during the initial Bluetooth handshake and you can continue to use cellular for your data, so you don't have to pay for the hotspot. I never had issues with this in any car including the EQS. After you pair your phone via Bluetooth it should ask you if you wanna use CarPlay and then you just say yes. That's all that's needed and don't connect to the car's hotspot. Having said that, MBUX 2 is super buggy in my experience. In every loaner I've driven in the last 2 years, CarPlay starts crashing after a fairly short time. Connecting it via USB is a bit more stable, but still crashes. I've had issues in Audis and VWs as well, but in my own car and in BMWs I have driven it works flawlessly.
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MB EQS 580 SUV Pinnacle Trim
I have been trying to figure out the best way to get my carplay working. I used the bluetooth, it allows sound to come from the system on my EQS 580, however, it makes me connect to the car WiFi to make it work for Carplay, so when I do that, it does not allow me to download data like playing podcast or Spotify unless they are downloaded on the device, it is asking me to subscribe to ATT for data plan at 15 dollars a month for 1GB data or 240 dollars a year for unlimited data. Is anyone having the problem I am having?
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MB EQS 580 SUV Pinnacle Trim
I was able to sort it out. If you accidentally connect to your car's Wi-Fi (personal hotspot), even if it doesn't have internet access, this can cause CarPlay to switch to using Wi-Fi for the entire connection. Normally, Bluetooth establishes the initial connection, and Wi-Fi is used only for data transfer. However, when your phone connects directly to the car's Wi-Fi, CarPlay may attempt to fully operate over Wi-Fi instead of BT even to establish the connection.
Solution:
Solution:
- Drive away from your home to prevent your phone from connecting to your home Wi-Fi when setting up CarPlay.
- Unpair your phone from the car’s Bluetooth connection.
- On your phone, find and delete the car's Wi-Fi network from the saved networks list.
- Set up CarPlay again, ensuring the connection establishes as usual.
- Confirm that CarPlay is using cellular data, not Wi-Fi, for its connection.
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Wireless CarPlay does use Wi-Fi yes, because Bluetooth doesn't have enough bandwidth, however the Wi-Fi connection is separate from the hotspot Wi-Fi connection. You don't need to connect to the hotspot for CarPlay to work. CarPlay handles the Wi-Fi connection itself. It sets it up during the initial Bluetooth handshake and you can continue to use cellular for your data, so you don't have to pay for the hotspot. I never had issues with this in any car including the EQS. After you pair your phone via Bluetooth it should ask you if you wanna use CarPlay and then you just say yes. That's all that's needed and don't connect to the car's hotspot. Having said that, MBUX 2 is super buggy in my experience. In every loaner I've driven in the last 2 years, CarPlay starts crashing after a fairly short time. Connecting it via USB is a bit more stable, but still crashes. I've had issues in Audis and VWs as well, but in my own car and in BMWs I have driven it works flawlessly.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,652
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Had great wireless CarPlay with ID7 on the M8 but it was terrible on the two IX's with ID8 & 8.5. Those included hard disconnects that could only be solved by a new setup. Usually restarting the iPhone for more persistent ones did the trick. Audi also sucks (MY24 model) as does the MMI; completely random how or when it chooses to connect. I assume the newer Android-based versions will be better but it's disappointing after being such mature tech. Unless of course the cars have issues with the newest phone chipsets...
