UK Only - App Connect, MY 2016 cars only.

[DW58]

I may have already mentioned that APP CONNECT is on my car's menu despite it not being listed on the list of extras.

If one selects APP CONNECT there is a message along the lines of "See your dealer for an activation key". I am quite keen on the idea of having APP CONNECT on my car, so I called my dealer to enquire about either buying an activation key (assuming APP CONNECT already installed) [or] getting APP CONNECT installed.

According to my dealer, APP CONNECT is already installed on some MY 2016 Golfs including mine and simply needs to be activated - I've made an appointment for Friday to get it working.

Await the next thrilling installment - will it work?

In the meantime I need to update the software on my iPhone 5S.

 

[mcmaddy]

I've been told the activation keys won't be available until October so your visit on Friday will be interesting. Make sure you definitely want app connect as a few on another forum have said it's a waste of time. It should be about 100 quid to activate. If you've got the newer mibII media unit then it already is app connect ready.

 

[DW58]

I have got the MIB II Media Unit - I was told that activating App Connect is FoC for MY 2016 cars and simply a case of registering, but I'm not convinced as yet - I'll report back on Friday once I've seen things for myself.

Here's what I'm getting at present ... ...

 

[Golpher1]

What a joke. How can VW change a market for App Connect, when it's free for others.....

I know they do it with many features, but I would've thought App Connect in MOB II to be a universally free upgrade from MIB I....

Rort.

 

[Metfan08]

I paid £100 to spec it as a factory fit option, would be displeased if VWUK have allowed the dealerships to hand out free registration codes as an after market dealer fit. That said DW, if you're just getting a freebie from your dealer as a gift, then that'd be fine. You certainly deserve it after what VW put you through


Collecting on 1st September: Mk7 Golf Estate SE 1.4TSI 125 Manual in Metallic Night Blue. Options: Car-Net App Connect, Discover Nav, 2Zone Climate, Net Partition, Silver Roof Rails, Park Assist with Front&Rear Park Sensors.

 

[Metfan08]

This is what it looks like with Apple CarPlay activated and the iPhone connected via USB. No Bluetooth connection for CarPlay as yet, some have suggested it will be available for iOS 9 though


Collecting on 1st September: Mk7 Golf Estate SE 1.4TSI 125 Manual in Metallic Night Blue. Options: Car-Net App Connect, Discover Nav, 2Zone Climate, Net Partition, Silver Roof Rails, Park Assist with Front&Rear Park Sensors.

 

[_baz]

Hi, I'm new here but am about to pull the trigger on a mk7 GTI.

I had chosen App connect as a £100 option when "speccing" my car. Eager to hear if this can be activated on the MIBII for less !

 

[DW58]

Well Possums - you'll know when I know - I'm still to be convinced, hopefully I'll know on Friday. Let's facefacts, who hasn't been led up the garden path by Volkswagen UK at some time or other?

 

[xPETEZx]

Wish my car had been built a month later... then would have MIB2 instead.

From what I have read, App-Connect and CarPlay/Android Auto are 2 different things no?

The photo above is of CarPlay which uses a USB connection.

App-Connect uses some form of 3G connection directly from the car itself? Or is this where your head unit connects to your Phone which needs to be running a WiFi hotspot?

 

[phphoto]

I ordered car-net app-connect on my new car for £100. I have managed to get the Car-net part working which to be honest is not worth the effort. The app-connect element which use the interface and apps of a connect phone doesn't work yet in the UK for most people who bought it. I am still waiting for VW to activate it after 2 months!

 

[Golpher1]

Wish my car had been built a month later... then would have MIB2 instead.

From what I have read, App-Connect and CarPlay/Android Auto are 2 different things no?

The photo above is of CarPlay which uses a USB connection.

App-Connect uses some form of 3G connection directly from the car itself? Or is this where your head unit connects to your Phone which needs to be running a WiFi hotspot?

In VW vehicles, App-Connect is the 'umbrella' menu within the MIB II software which the CarPlay/Android Auto/MirrorLink interfaces come under.

You can't use any of the three interfaces unless you have App-Connect.

As for data usage, there is an 'activate data transfer for Volkswagen apps' option in the App-Connect settings, but I'm yet to play around with this & other App-Connect settings..

 

[JoeVWR7]

I very much doubt the dealer is going to activate AppConnect (carPlay / Android Auto) for you on Friday, whether free or by payment! To the best of my knowledge, the dealers don't have the ability to do this yet - it is rumoured that the Activation codes will become available later this year but I've seen nothing concrete to confirm this.

The dealer may be confusing AppConnect with the wider umbrella term "CarNet" which does require activation and is free (if you have the Discover Navigation). All this gives you is some online access to POI's, weather info, news, etc, and it is free to register for that.

If you spec the Nav Pro - then AppConnect is free.
Otherwise it's a £100 factory option and possibly a cost option that dealers can retro fit later down the road. I'm very doubtful it'll be free as VW will charge the dealers for the codes.

 

[DW58]

Well ... ... ... what a lot of differing opinions, none of which really tell us much.

 

[ColinStone]

My dealer said codes in October. I didn't pay attention and didn't order app connect etc as the blurb was apple heavy, so perhaps missed a trick. He is not sure if an aftermarket fit is possible. I read somewhere that a box is needed behind the instrument cluster.
I wouldn't be surprised if it is built in to MIB II and just requires activating. If hardware required it could be a pain to fit.

 

[DW58]

I'm quite expecting not to achieve anything on Friday, but I'm taking a "nothing ventured nothing gained" attitude, plus I love gizmos and gadgets.

Time will tell