I have recently bought a Mk III Skoda Octavia and I am still getting to grips with some of its technology.  I have set up the MySKODA app with my vehicle details and at some point I must have got it connected to my car as it says I have 80% fuel left and it was updated 16 days ago.  I am now trying to get it connected again but I'm struggling.  I assume I need to set up a WiFi hotspot on my phone and then connect the car to the hotspot.  I have tried that (multiple times) but I can't get the app to update.  Am I missing a step somewhere?

 

I know the app isn't particularly liked but I'm hoping it is a bit more reliable than I have found it.  Any suggestions greatly welcomed.

What system do you have and what version of firmware is installed on your system. What mobile phone are you using. Need much more info to give guidance.

Edited 3 August, 20214 yr by FrankNicklin

Thanks @FrankNicklin.  I believe I have the Amundsen system (no sim card).  Looking under System Information, it says the following:

Hardware: H41

Software: 0478

SmartLink: 4101.4381.1.5

And I'm using an Android phone - Pixel 4a 5G

 

Is that the info you are after? I can go and grab more if needed.

Ok thanks. I'm guessing you have Amundsen duding by the firmware release.

 

I have the same setup in by 67plate TSI and did have issues before 0478 but 0478 firmware did fix some issues I was having with WLAN. I use an iPhone more often than not but have also used an Android phone without issue.

 

The WLAN does not want to connect automatically. I have to turn off my Hotspot and re-enable it for the Infotainment unit to find it and reconnect which can be frustrating.

 

Try deleting and re-adding your mobile, also make sure your Android Auto is up to date.

 

You should also be using a quality USB cable. I presume the 2020 Technology version doesn't have Wireless Smartlink. WLAN gives you access to the Skoda services and isn't required for Android Auto car connection.

Edited 3 August, 20214 yr by FrankNicklin

I get the green symbol top-middle of the display showing it is connected via WLAN.  Should I then just be able to run the MySKODA app and it will update with the latest info from the car?

 

Re-adding my mobile is a good idea.  It could be that type of problem.  I'll give it a go and report back.

You don't need WLAN for Android Auto to Work. Your phone logs in to your Skoda account. A USB connection to Android Auto provides the vehicle connectivity/feedback. The WLAN feature allows you to login in to the Skoda online services which have to purchase separately. This provides POI, traffic, weather etc.

 

A quick search revealed other users having issues with the Pixel 4a and Android Auto.

 

 

 

Edited 3 August, 20214 yr by FrankNicklin

The MySkoda app is pretty useless

 

I have the same headunit/firmware in my 2018 vRS. At least for me, it can show fuel level, odometer, time til service and that's about it. It used to show service history but Skoda removed it. I think the paid for service gets a little more and the OP might be in their free period?

 

I use AndroidAuto almost every journey but it never updates any info in the MySkoda app. The only time I've had it update is when I manually force the headunit to connect to my home wifi and sit there for 10 minutes. That's despite the car being parked in wifi range every night...

 

Skoda/VAG do a carstick to give the car it's own LTE/3G connection which may help it stay online and update the info. However, given there is only one USB port and it won't let you use a normal USB hub, it doesn't feel that helpful if you use AA/CarPlay.

 

1 hour ago, FrankNicklin said:

You don't need WLAN for Android Auto to Work. Your phone logs in to your Skoda account. A USB connection to Android Auto provides the vehicle connectivity/feedback. The WLAN feature allows you to login in to the Skoda online services which have to purchase separately. This provides POI, traffic, weather etc.

 

A quick search revealed other users having issues with the Pixel 4a and Android Auto.

 

 

 

I can get AA to work, though I have the same problems mentioned in that post - you need a high quality cable, for both Android and iPhone phones.  Otherwise the connection comes and goes.

 

I have just reregistered the car with Skoda Connect but that doesn't seem to have helped.

 

@langers2k - I'm going with your pretty useless description of the app. I guess I need to go on a long trip with it connected via WLAN and see if it decides to update itself.

And yes, I am on my free services with a couple of months still left, though I don't seem to have any more functions than you do.

Okay folks,

 

Skoda Connect.  Firstly, some background.  There are TWO parts to Skoda Connect - the Infortainment Online (common) part and Care Connect (quite rare) part.  Most Amunsden systems (from 2017-2020) have the ability to give realtime map delays, nearest petrol stations, Weather info and (a poor) News service.  Care Connect portal is addition that gives real-time info to VW's backend - as long as the Amunsden system is connected via a WLAN connection (via hotspot) or via a Skoda Carstick. The Skoda Connect 'app' is just a portal really to allow for signing in and connecting the MIB system up to VW backend.  Its quite sad, because Skoda Connect used to be quite useful app and compare to Connect Lite, but IMHO - Skoda Connect Lite is CONSIDERABLY better for giving information about the car.

 

BTW - you know if you have Care Connect, because you have an SOS red button above your head.

Surely that would mean there are at least three/four variants then...?

- Connect (free edition)

- Infotainment online (subscription based after free period)

- Care connect (assuming hardware is installed)

- Connect lite (using the dataplug)

 

Anyway, despite those differences, both the OP and I are getting the same frustration with Connect or Infotainment online - the vehicle stats aren't updating in the app...

- The OP has tried using a hotspot which should work perfectly but seemingly isn't.

- I find it disappointing that it doesn't update using my home WiFi at the end of a journey or offer to use USB tethering to get data from my phone.

 

There's no point having the stats (fuel level, odometer, time until service and current fault codes, etc) if they are weeks or months out of date

 

 

The stats will update when you connect your phone and open the MySkoda App. The data does not update across Wifi. Its a physical connection between your car and your phone. Agreed it could be much more informative, but I'm guess that without a complete redesign in function the headhunt will not transmit such data. The Infotainment units gather data, they do not send it out over Wifi hence the hardwired connection.

Edited 4 August, 20214 yr by FrankNicklin

Are you sure?

 

I only ask as I've just been on the connect portal and it offered me a one month trial for the infotainment online stuff so I thought I'd try it...

- checked the stats in the app, 18 days old

- jumped in the car and turned on the ignition

- phone connected via BT but wasn't wired in via USB

- tried to use connect, as expected it was sad

- poked the headunit until it connected to home WiFi

- connect worked although underwhelming

- checked the app, stats have updated!

 

That suggests to me that the stats were updated via WiFi.

 

It's possible it used BT so I'll try something similar tomorrow but with BT disabled to rule that out...

Just now, langers2k said:

Are you sure?

 

I only ask as I've just been on the connect portal and it offered me a one month trial for the infotainment online stuff so I thought I'd try it...

- checked the stats in the app, 18 days old

- jumped in the car and turned on the ignition

- phone connected via BT but wasn't wired in via USB

- tried to use connect, as expected it was sad

- poked the headunit until it connected to home WiFi

- connect worked although underwhelming

- checked the app, stats have updated!

 

That suggests to me that the stats were updated via WiFi.

 

It's possible it used BT so I'll try something similar tomorrow but with BT disabled to rule that out...

 

OK Intersting, I don't think that has ever worked for me without having the phone connected by USB to the car.

 

56 minutes ago, FrankNicklin said:

 

OK Intersting, I don't think that has ever worked for me without having the phone connected by USB to the car.

 

I stand corrected, just tested it this morning and you are correct, the stats did update over WLAN Hotspot within the MySkoda App. Learn something new every day.

It's really useful getting everyone's experience using the app.  I haven't been in the car much apart from short journeys but will try both USB and WLAN (with and without BT) for longer periods to see if I can get Connect to update. As @langers2k said, it is a bit underwhelming but I'd like to get it working - consistently.

4 hours ago, langers2k said:

Surely that would mean there are at least three/four variants then...?

- Connect (free edition)

- Infotainment online (subscription based after free period)

- Care connect (assuming hardware is installed)

- Connect lite (using the dataplug)

Arh no - Connect encompassed Infortainment online and Care Connect - Connect Lite is a completely different product (and works for all Skodas/VAG cars from 2008 onwards)