VW App Connect

[Alucidnation]

hi all,

Just speccing up a new caddy van, and there is this option of "App Connect" that can to be selected when choosing the built in Discover Navigation system.

Does anyone have any experience of what this is and why i would need it?

There are also other options of which i am a bit confused about as some can be selected, although the App Connect already has them if selected.

App Connect for Discover Navigation with media control.
Media Control for Discover media.
Media in for Composition/Discover Media

Ill be seeing the dealer on Tuesday however, i was hoping to go in armed with a bit of info.

Thanks!

[sjg]

It gets you Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink support.

You plug your phone in via USB and get a simplified/easier/safer version on the touchscreen on the stereo. Apps that support it can display on there with a more suitable interface for car use, and (certainly for Carplay) it lets you use the selector knob on the right to navigate lists too.

I use an iPhone and it works great for navigation (via Apple Maps), music via iTunes or Spotify, podcasts, etc. 3rd party apps are limited to music/audio ones that have built support for it though. Siri for voice control works, you can get incoming messages read out and dictate replies easily, and the interface for making phone calls is better than the bluetooth one.

There's no "pairing", it actually disables any bluetooth connection you have set up when you plug the phone in.

I presume the other things you refer to are the ability to play MP3 files off a USB stick or SD card that you plug in.

[Sheepshanks]

On our Tiguan it was £100 extra and not fitted to ours as we got one already in the pipeline. Dealer told us could be "retrofitted" - Discover just asks for an Activation code.

Turns out it can't for some unfathomable reason - and VW charge £250 for the code.

So if it's £100, spec it anyway!

[SteBrown91]

Sheepshanks said:

On our Tiguan it was £100 extra and not fitted to ours as we got one already in the pipeline. Dealer told us could be "retrofitted" - Discover just asks for an Activation code.

Turns out it can't for some unfathomable reason - and VW charge £250 for the code.

So if it's £100, spec it anyway!

It 100% can be retofitted a work colleague had it done to his MY16 golf. It took a couple of goes and guidence from VW Germany but it was done. Dealers who say it can't be done just don't know what they are doing or have no interest of doing it

[Sheepshanks]

SteBrown91 said:

It 100% can be retofitted a work colleague had it done to his MY16 golf. It took a couple of goes and guidence from VW Germany but it was done. Dealers who say it can't be done just don't know what they are doing or have no interest of doing it

I haven't seen a proper explanation but there's some suggestion early vehicles had the wrong kind of USB port and even that the Discover head unit itself varies, even though they look identical.

I think Tiquan's problem may be that it's built on an old platform - not the MQB one that Mk7 Golf is. Don't know if Caddy is on the newer platform.

VW determine whether it can be done based on whether a certain PR code (the 3 letter codes on the car's data label) is present. The vital code is I8E.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 4th April 16:15

[va1o]

For the money it's well worth specifying from the factory!

[Alucidnation]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Well, I had a budget to work to and so i put together my limited options list on the weekend and went into the dealer yesterday to finalise the order.

Turns out i was also getting a deposit contribution and loyalty bonus!

So, i have gone for..

2.0 Tdi BMT manual 150

Black Pearlescent Paint.
Bi-Xenons
Discover Sat Nav with App connect
Carpet in cab
Rubber load floor liner
High beam assist
Multi function Steering Wheel
Heated and folding mirrors (which are "car style mirrors")

Also got thrown in, Carpet mats, free servicing and first MOT, and they are also going to clear the finance on my current van (owe a smidge more than its worth due to going over mileage a bit).

All in all.... Result!

[RedEvo]

Is it worth paying £240 (inc VAT) to get this activated on my 2016 GTI. Does the activation bring to life the voice controls etc?

cheers

d

[bedonde]

Watching with interest as I've got the same question for my 2016 Passat Alltrack. Would like Apple Carplay etc.

[R1nur]

RedEvo said:

Is it worth paying £240 (inc VAT) to get this activated on my 2016 GTI. Does the activation bring to life the voice controls etc?

cheers

d

Bought an activation code and had VW change the USB port on my CSS. 4 visits to the garage and it still does not work. Back to the dealer for a 5th go Monday!