I have recently coupled my iphone to the cars's infotainment via bluetooth. Whenever I start the car I get a 'loading contacts' message, however the only contacts I can see from scrolling on the screen are the ones in my 'recents' list. Now I don't really want my full contacts list of over 250 (don't ask, the perils of being secretary for a few clubs and blocking unknown callers), but is there a way of maybe having a 'favourites' group of contacts uploaded?

Do these help (couple of screen grabs from my .pdf manual)

This for a pre-FL mk4

I had a look at that this evening. I don't get the same screen, I get 'search', 'favourites' and 'all'. The favourites was empty and didn't show the contacts in my phone listed as favourites. I have set a few favourites on the car and will see if they are still there next time I connect.

The small screen in front of the driving position only shows the recents, and I can't seem to alter that.

I have a Pre FL mk 4 ('72 plate).

Hmm…

My iPhone is the same! I usually connect to the car using CarPlay and use Siri voice control to make calls. Yesterday I swapped it to connect as a Bluetooth phone - no contacts synch’d with the car.

However, my wife’s iPhone I connected first as a Bluetooth phone and later as CarPlay. Contacts synch’d.

When we are both in the car, my iPhone connects as CarPlay (the car automatically reconnects to the previous device) and my wife’s as Bluetooth - and re-synchs and updates the contacts.

I assume, therefore, there is something in the infotainment system, the iPhone, or in CarPlay that is causing it.

Did you previously connect the iPhone with CarPlay? If so, either just use CarPlay or get the car and iPhone to forget the CarPlay connection and start again as a Bluetooth phone, then re do CarPlay if you want/need it.

I haven't heard of CarPlay so will need to research it.

The problem with CarPlay is it won't cooperate without Siri being enabled, and I have no intention of enabling Siri.

I did a quick internet search - which suggested to check the settings for your iPhone Bluetooth connection for the car...

Settings app --> Bluetooth

Find YourCar (probably something like "My Skoda nnnn") and tap the 'I' symbol on the right

Enable 'Sync Contacts'

Yes, I can sync with Bluetooth, but not with CarPlay as I have no intention of enabling Siri.

Some care have only a wired connection for Car Play, some only a wireless and some both.

It might be worth checking yours👍

8 hours ago, avi4tor said:

Yes, I can sync with Bluetooth, but not with CarPlay as I have no intention of enabling Siri.

I use CarPlay but have Siri disabled on all my Apple devices?

Yep, CarPlay without Siri is doable…

StereoUpgrade.com

How To Use Carplay Without Siri? Will It Work?

Are you interested in seeing how to use CarPlay without Siri? Find out how in this article, if possible, and what you need to be aware of!

What the article seems to imply is that you can disable Siri AFTER you have connected to CarPlay - so you need to enable Siri, connect and then disable Siri. And when you do that you lose the handsfree features. Whereas if I connect with Bluetooth I get the handsfree features, it connects automatically whenever I get in the car and Siri can stay in the box. I think I will disregard CarPlay and work with the Bluetooth features.

Edited 23 November, 202523 Nov by avi4tor