Befuddled by Carplay & Apple Music

[Torv]

I suppose these issues can be attributed to second week growing pains, but I am completely mystified by how the Taycan deploys and recognizes Apple Carplay and Apple Music.

Not only have I correctly registered by Apple Music account via My Page on my Porsche.com, I have scanned the QR code multiple times and logged into Apple Music that way as well.

I have also done the USB connection from my iPhone 12 Pro to establish Carplay and as I understand it, do not have to continue to plugin to activate Carplay after that. Oh, and when I do plug in my iPhone to charge after that initial setup, it wants to begin the process all over again.

My problems are that both services are intermittent when I enter the car. Sometimes they're there, other times they're not and I have to begin the process all over again. Sometimes I see the Carplay app on the PCM, most of the time I don't. Sometimes Apple Music is red, other times it's greyed out.

So, all you experienced Taycan wizards, what's the secret of consistent and reliable connectivity of Apple Music and Carplay because right now they're hit and mostly miss?

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[KensingtonPark]

I can only comment on the CarPlay portion of your issue, as I use Apple Music through my phone, not the PCM app.

Step 1: In the main PCM screen, select “Devices”.

Step 2: In the subsequent screen, the entry for your phone. The row on the phone should contain a number of indicators, as shown below:

Entry 1 means that the phone has been connected for use using Bluetooth (In the traditional manner for cars without CarPlay).
Entry 2 means that the phone can use Bluetooth audio (in the tradtional manner for cars without CarPlay).
Entry 3 means that the phone is also available for CarPlay.

Step 3. If you have a grayed out entry under #3, but you have 1 and 2, tap on #3. The system will then attempt to connect to your phone. I would suggest that you do this once before you drive more than five minutes. For me, it started working the next time I started the car.

If you see something different than 1 and 2 being available, then I would suggest placing your phone in airplane mode, deleting your phone, and then starting over:

1. After deleting your phone, turn Airplane Mode off.
2. Connect your phone to Bluetooth using “Connect New Devices” on the screen above.
3. Confirm that you successfully connected.
4. Then connect your phone to CarPlay using the cable.
5. Confirm that CarPlay works.
6. Turn off your car.
7. Disconnect the cable from the phone.
8. Leave and lock the car.
9. Next time you are in the car, wait 5 minutes for the PCM to boot up
10. If CarPlay does not become available then, do Step 3 above again.

That’s what I did. Let us know if it works!

 

[Torv]

Thanks for the tips! I'll give it a whirl.

 

[NormF]

I have similar issues with Apple Music and Podcast. I link my accounts, and it works for a few days, but then drops the link and presents the QR code again. Very flakey implementation. I have re-linked many times, both from the car and from the Connect App.

In addition, even when the account is linked, Apple Music and Podcasts will not be active due to the cell coverage provided by the vehicle.

I can understand the cell coverage issue, however I have asked my dealer‘s service dept to ask head office why the linking keeps dropping.

 

[Torv]

I have similar issues with Apple Music and Podcast. I link my accounts, and it works for a few days, but then drops the link and presents the QR code again. Very flakey implementation. I have re-linked many times, both from the car and from the Connect App.

In addition, even when the account is linked, Apple Music and Podcasts will not be active due to the cell coverage provided by the vehicle.

I can understand the cell coverage issue, however I have asked my dealer‘s service dept to ask head office why the linking keeps dropping.

Would you please keep us posted as to the response. Some of these issues, like Homelink and Carplay and Apple Music can easily be addressed by software improvements. I'll be writing Porsche NA and Porsche HQ in Germany with some critiques and observations.

 

[XLR82XS]

Another tip: if charging your phone while using wireless carplay, use the rear seat plugs. If you connect via the center console USB it may cause operational issues with wireless carplay.

I tried using wireless charging in the console with a iphone 12 and the phone overheated within a ~20 minute drive.

 

[hshm]

Is there a reason why you would need to activate Apple Music in the PCM when you are using CarPlay?

As I understand, you only need to use Apple Music in PCM if you're not using CarPlay. It's an alternative way to play Apple Music.

 

[JimBoBel]

Is there a reason why you would need to activate Apple Music in the PCM when you are using CarPlay?

As I understand, you only need to use Apple Music in PCM if you're not using CarPlay. It's an alternative way to play Apple Music.

I was convinced that (maybe wrongly) that using Apple Music in the PCM uses the car data conection while going through CarPlay uses your phone data connection

 

[hshm]

I was convinced that (maybe wrongly) that using Apple Music in the PCM uses the car data conection while going through CarPlay uses your phone data connection

That sounds right. That would be a good reason to play via PCM versus CarPlay.

 

[struther]

Is there a reason why you would need to activate Apple Music in the PCM when you are using CarPlay?

As I understand, you only need to use Apple Music in PCM if you're not using CarPlay. It's an alternative way to play Apple Music.

I go back and forth between the two seemingly randomly. Even I don’t understand my logic!!

 

[submatrix]

I was convinced that (maybe wrongly) that using Apple Music in the PCM uses the car data conection while going through CarPlay uses your phone data connection

Good point. Do we get unlimited data streaming in the Taycan? I never bothered to look it up since I figured I'd just use Carplay for anything data related, but you bring up an interesting alternative which would save my mobile data usage.

 

[amazing]

To me the apple music has been totally useless because it always connects to carplay anyone (e.g. even if it's playing "apple music" it's pulled all my playlists, etc from the phone). I'm wondering if anyone has been using the lossless feature on apple music with carplay and experienced buffer under runs, drops, etc when driving through areas with poor cell reception.

 

[Torv]

To me the apple music has been totally useless because it always connects to carplay anyone (e.g. even if it's playing "apple music" it's pulled all my playlists, etc from the phone). I'm wondering if anyone has been using the lossless feature on apple music with carplay and experienced buffer under runs, drops, etc when driving through areas with poor cell reception.

All the time. The cell phone coverage in Marin County is barely third world (too many fucking NIMBYs) and spotty at best.

 

[andrewket]

I use Apple Music via PCM more than I do via CarPlay in part so my passenger can control the music via the passenger display.

 

[amazing]

I use Apple Music via PCM more than I do via CarPlay in part so my passenger can control the music via the passenger display.

I don't have passenger display but how do you ensure that the Apple Music plays via PCM and doesn't default to CarPlay ?

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