Hello there guys , my Octavia combi 2016 with Colombus system refuses to detect my mobile . I’m able to connect it via Bluetooth or usb but I can’t activate smart link . When I go to menu>smartlink I only get a message “Welcome to Smartlink , select a device” and I can’t click anything. My phone is an iPhone 11. Any suggestions? 
 

PS. I’m the second owner I don’t know if the first one has activated or something and I can’t ask him

I may be wrong but seem to think that a car of that age didn't get smartlink as standard - just the hardware that could be activated (for a fee).

It seems like active , I mean I can navigate though the menus it gives me access to list of devices but my phone is not appearing .. if it was just installed hardware side I shouldn’t get those options in the menu right?

Another thing to ensure is that you are using a good quality cable.

I’m currently using a Belkin cable made for Apple devices but I tried with the original one in the past and I got the same thing. So what are the steps to connect to smartlink? Is the car supposed to recognize the device once I connect it to the usb slot? 

I'd await confirmation about what I said earlier but when it's set up correctly it's just plug in and go.

I know mines android auto, but if I try and use a 3rd party cable, it doesn't work.

 

I use the original cable in the car and the 3rd party one in the house on the charger.

First things first; you might want to factory reset the car. If the previous owner has set up something and you aren't aware of what it is, then this at least gets you to a good known working state.

 

Secondly, i would agree with @john999boy that not all systems had Mirrorlink or Smartlink enabled. My 2016 Scout with an Amunsden needs a software license key to operate; however with that said - the system should tell you if you are licensed to use that feature or not. A chat with your Skoda dealer is a good call.

 

Thirdly, firmware. For Smartlink/Carplay to work, it still needs Bluetooth enabling. Some of the Bluetooth stacks on earlier MIB systems were less than stable. Ask @pab567
to see what the latest firmware is for your MIB system.

6 hours ago, varaderoguy said:

First things first; you might want to factory reset the car. If the previous owner has set up something and you aren't aware of what it is, then this at least gets you to a good known working state.

 

Secondly, i would agree with @john999boy that not all systems had Mirrorlink or Smartlink enabled. My 2016 Scout with an Amunsden needs a software license key to operate; however with that said - the system should tell you if you are licensed to use that feature or not. A chat with your Skoda dealer is a good call.

 

Thirdly, firmware. For Smartlink/Carplay to work, it still needs Bluetooth enabling. Some of the Bluetooth stacks on earlier MIB systems were less than stable. Ask @pab567
to see what the latest firmware is for your MIB system.

 

Compared to a friends octavia 2015 with columbus his menu doesnt have the smartlink option but mine has it so i guess when its not enabled then you cant see it as option also . 

 

In my case , on my iphone Siri was disabled . Carplay needs siri to work so after enabled siri then car detected the phone and was able to connect with CarPlay.

 

Next question , is Smartlink something more than CarPlay or its just the name of feature?

Smartlink is the overall system for displaying either Android Auto or Apple Carplay depending on your phone.

 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/108069/what-is-skoda-smartlink