SteveTheElder

The car should work fine with the Guest profile; what you'd miss is the ability to connect to the car from the app, and to store the profile settings in the cloud. Why would you want to store the profile settings in the cloud? So that if you ever log in to another Škoda it will apply any relevant settings to that vehicle. How useful that actually is I can't say! Guess if it were an identical model with saved seat and door mirror settings then yes, useful. As to why you can't log in or create a new profile I think would be either 1. a bug in the update, or 2. a problem connecting to (or with) the Škoda servers (my car was offline for a few days over the weekend due to server issues, all back to normal today).

@DaveFromSydney you don't, by any chance, have an Apple AirTag or Amazon Tile or similar on your keyring do you? I ask because I have a theory... I started getting the 'change battery' alert soon after attaching an AirTag to my car key and placing another in my wallet which I carry in a trouser pocket and that happens to be near the centre console key holder when I'm driving. New batteries would result in the same alert within days if not immediately, even new Panasonics. Since removing the AirTags I get no alerts. So, my theory is that the NFC signal from the AirTags was causing some form of interference with the car to key communication resulting in the change battery alert. As yet I haven't put the AirTags back which I guess would be a logical step to validate the theory.

I reckon that Sync is actually remembered - just not displayed. That's how mine seems to work anyway; along with the niggle of having to use the passenger side (left) to adjust the temperature.

I’m guessing this is with Gmaps and Waze cos there IS guidance in the VC with CarPlay with Apple Maps; fairly basic, just the next turn similar to that you describe for AA and the built in satnav. I tried to work that out too; the cynic in me puts it down to Google & Apple not playing nicely together.

You're not alone. I use an iPhone 14 Pro (and previously iPhone XR) with CarPlay in the Octavia Mk4 - and have experienced random issues with both Waze and Google Maps with both phones over three versions of iOS, to the point I now rarely use either. In the last instance earlier this week, Google Maps wouldn't display anything other than a blank screen. Other times using Google Maps or Waze causes Spotify to mute. As a result I use Apple Maps or the built in SatNav both of which give directions on the virtual cockpit as well as the Infotainment screen and full voice guidance. Apple Maps has the added benefit of the haptic feedback via my Apple Watch too, which means I can reduce the volume of the voice instructions but not miss any.

Sounds awesome! Hope all goes well and would love to hear how it goes. We’re contemplating something similar for next year - 40th wedding anniversary 😊 Might include Paris (Olympics) and Verona (opera) as well as lake bled, Split, Florence, and … (still working on it)

I’ve had it a few times but only when the dealer has done a major s/ware or firmware update - with many settings also reset to defaults.

The lower one of the two images. It looks more purposeful.

To my knowledge there isn't a hard drive unit the in Octavia mk4 with Columbus system; all we get is the option to use a USB-C drive or bluetooth (or CarPlay/AndroidAuto). I use a physically small USB-C drive (256GB) and CarPlay. Get all the sounds I want - and many more, such is the joy of Spotify!

I had similar to @vfr. System updates resolved the satnav and other niggles. The update needed is done by the dealer service department - and for some reason mine took three days!

Yesterday compared mine with Waze on iPhone/CarPlay at 60 & 70 mph. The car speedo was surprisingly close, never reading more than 2mph above Waze. Octy 4 on part worn 205/55R17 tyres.

Calm down mate, you’ll blow a fuse… Yes, I’ve had the app upgrade too, and at the moment get the “Connection Failure” notification, so logged in to the online web portal. It looks like there has been a big UI update to the web side of things and I guess the app will have too; I like the new web portal layout. At the moment it seems the app gateway servers are still down during/after the upgrade/update. It’ll be back. I’m curious though. You say the app had lost all of you data - how do you know if you can’t connect? All that has happened is that the new app needs you to login again and enter the VIN. My only gripe is it’d be good if they let us know when a major update is happening though some form of app notification.

Hmm… never thought of trying that! I just use one of the ports in the back for charging extra devices.

Challenge I have is to add a battery to my solar panel array is an upgrade/replacement of the inverter. Can’t remember the technical details without digging through loads of emails. Puts the cost up significantly, which is the frustrating bit. Though I’m hoping that at some point it becomes viable. I’m very impressed with the solar generation and have adapted our routine to maximise use of self generated power.

Can’t say I agree with you re. battery storage along with solar panels. I have a small fixed array on a south facing roof, paid for themselves in under seven years. Conversely, I have looked in to battery storage three times over the last five years. Each calculation comes back with an ROI in excess of 15 years at best, most realistically it’s nigh on 20 years; and yes, I have included overnight low rate charging. Best advice I’ve had is that a better would last about 12 years. Not investing in battery technology is a no brainer. All a bit frustrating ‘cos storing self generated electricity seems like a sensible thing to do. Hey ho! Battery development might change that equation but only if the costs don’t escalate in the process. Back to EVs, where will we get all the electricity from? (rhetorical question). Only a couple of months ago there was talk of rationing supply.

Sadly all too true. Your ideas a way too good for any Govt to enact 🙄

No apologies for dumbing down this thread, but if the Govt want the masses to go for EV instead of ICE cars then they need bigger carrots and smaller sticks in their approach. What that looks like is probably an individual thing but I'll start with sorting out the charging infrastructure - increased availability of fast charging points, charging points that actually work, and in places where people want to stop on long journeys (so not only in the supermarket car park).

Good to know you’ve got it [sort of] working. On selecting Media I get the choice of USB or Bluetooth. Selecting Media I then get a listing by Artist, Album, Genre, Tracks etc. so not strictly the folder structure. Having said that, my folders are by Artist name with any of their Albums in subfolders containing the tracks. Did you know it can also play video? Out of curiosity I added a couple of .m4v files to a test folder, in car selecting one just plays it - but ONLY audio while the car is moving. What is a bit worrying is that stopping at a junction, pedestrian crossing, etc the video moving image is shown - until owing again. Massive danger of distraction in my book! Needless to say the video files are deleted. I haven’t found any ‘safe eject’ either - nor have I had a problem just unplugging it when the system is off. The drive has worked fine both in the car, on my iMac and iPad.

Curious! Mine displays the folder structure fine (or it last time I used it). Later today I’ll have look on the computer at how I set it up.

Yes, very easy to see at night, and if you have it, voice control makes it even easier.

Welcome to the Briskoda forums. I’m pleased you like the car and totally understand your frustration with the infotainment system. The bugs are taking too long to iron out and it takes a while to get used to the tech. For the drivers seat, save your position to a memory, then when opening the door just press that button, the seat should move without the ignition on - if it hasn’t already. I also suggest experimenting with the voice control for the satnav if you can’t set a destination before driving off. The voice control isn’t foolproof, but does work. After two years I’m still learning the best way to set it but getting there. Voice control is great for radio, media (usb stick), and climate control. To charge my iPhone 14 Pro I use the MagSafe charger in a rear USB-C port. My manual box is a bit clunky going into 2nd, but much better when it’s warmed up.

Take a look at this thread from a couple of years ago. Not the official wireless charger but a few options discussed that would fit in the centre console near the USB-C ports

That’s a good call; on a previous car I was convinced a rear wheel bearing had gone, as were several more knowledgeable friends. Workshop could find no bearing fault - but did spot a tyre defect. New tyre, no ‘bearing’ noise.

Well done for pushing it through this far. Hopefully the dealer &/or Škoda UK will now get you car fixed.

Drone shooting... is that like clay pigeon shooting? 🤣