Audi Phone Preparation & Bluetooth
Types of Audi Phone Preparation
There are currently 3 types of Audi Phone Preparation available from factory:
GSM Mobile Telephone Preparation (with Hands Free Profile Bluetooth)
With Hands Free and Speech Dialogue System for the operation of main functions; the cradle for this system can be located in either the Centre Armrest or on the Dashboard. Bluetooth Interface and a roof mounted aerial are included for optimum reception. Cradles are an additional cost option with this system.
Since the introduction of GSM Mobile Telephone Preparation into the Audi range there have been 3 versions of the cradle system as detailed below
Generation 1
Recognized by the spiral cable.
Generation 2
Recognized by the gold contacts on the base plate.
Generation 3
Recognized by the semi round enhancements on the base plate, left and right of the gold contacts
Bluetooth Mobile Phone Connection
Operated via the MMi High System and integrated telephone voice Control system, including roof mounted aerial for optimum reception. The mobile phone being used must have Bluetooth SIM-Access Profile (alternatively known as SAP or rSAP) in order to function with this system.
Mobile Telephone Preparation - High (with Privacy Handset)
This system works the same as Bluetooth mobile phone connection with the addition of a cordless Privacy Handset. The Handset allows passengers to make private calls, provides remote control of the telephone functions as well as convenient SMS text messaging function. The handset is charged from a docking station integrated into the front centre armrest.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows different types of electronic devices to interact via short-range radio waves. Because of the versatility of Bluetooth wireless technology, enabled devices do not share all of the same profiles. The GSM Mobile Telephone Preparation system is compatible with Bluetooth-enabled phones that have a hands-free profile. The Bluetooth Mobile Phone Connection system is compatible with Bluetooth-enabled phones that have SIM-Access Profile.
The standard allows a wide range of devices to communicate with each other, with minimal user effort.
How does Bluetooth work in my Audi?
When an Audi vehicle is equipped with phone preparation utilizing a Bluetooth interface, hands-free functionality is available with your phone. If you have an Audi phone cradle, all you have to do is insert the phone into the cradle and it will work with the car. If you are instead using Bluetooth to connect with the Audi phone preparation, please follow the instructions in your phone manual in order to pair your phone with the Audi system.
The Audi cell phone preparation has the following features:
Using a Bluetooth connection or an Audi phone cradle, the Audi phone preparation will allow you to place and receive phone calls through the Audi MMI or through the voice control system. In addition, phone book access and caller ID is available through the MMI and instrument cluster (not all phones support these features). During a call, voice mail can be accessed using the MMI
Up to four different Bluetooth phones can be paired to the GSM Mobile Telephone Preparation; however, only one phone can be connected actively at one time. You will need a compatible mobile phone in order to utilize this function (see downloadable PDF files below). Audi recommends the use of the rSAP cradle (see downloadable PDF below) and an rSAP phone. It will ensure you get the best Functionality from the system.
Depending on the phone being used, different steps are necessary to pair the phone to the car using Bluetooth. Please read the Owner's Manual of your mobile phone and Infotainment/MMI Operating Instructions for further details.
What if my phone is not on the list?
The mobile phone may or may not work fully. If the phone is not listed Audi cannot guarantee that it will work fully – unfortunately Audi cannot offer advice on phones that do not appear on the lists. As new information becomes available we will endeavour to release this ASAP. If necessary please contact the mobile phone manufacturer for further advice on compatibility.
What is the code needed in order to pair Bluetooth on my Audi?
On vehicles with GSM Mobile Telephone Preparation, the code is always set to 1234. However, if your car is fitted with RNSE or MMi and purchased used then there may be a chance the previous owner has reset the code for security reasons. You can restore the code back to factory settings by resetting the system to default. More information on this is available in your Owner’s Handbook.
If you are pairing your phone to GSM Mobile Telephone Preparation using the rSAP adaptor cradle then the code required will be displayed in the screen of the rSAP adaptor itself. This will need to be entered into the mobile phone you are pairing.
For Bluetooth Mobile Phone Connection, the code required will be displayed in the MMi screen in the centre console. Again, this will need to be entered into the mobile phone you are pairing.
Why won’t my Phone Book display on my Audi Drivers Information System?
When a phone is manufactured there will often be ‘built in’ limitations in the phone Bluetooth systems. Please always ensure that when you purchase a new phone that it has compatibility with your Audi system. The PDF lists below detail the various phone limitations, but please feel free to call should you have any questions.
If you do find that your phone has limited functionality with your Audi (e.g. no phone book) many phone manufacturers now offer software or ‘firmware’ updates on their websites which can get these functions working. Always ensure that your phone has the very latest firmware updates.
Connecting Nokia Symbian Phones
Some Nokia phones such as the N95 use Symbian Operating System which doesn't seem to like interfacing with Car Kits in general. There is a workaround which will allow you to view contacts on your Audi;
1. Download Nokia 810 Contact Download Application for Nokia S60 3rd edition devices and install it using the Nokia PC Suite. Nokia PC Suite
2. Remove all pairing to the car kit from the phone.
3. Make sure Bluetooth is turned off on the phone.
4. Sit in the car with the ignition on so that the Bluetooth kit is switched on.
5. Run the Contact Download Application on the phone.
6. Follow the prompts to enable the Bluetooth and connect to the car.
7. The contacts will be transferred to the car; this may take a few minutes.
Sadly although it doesn't provide the dialed, received and missed calls list it will give some functionality until you can upgrade to a newer phone.
Blackberry Phone Book Issues
You may notice that when your Blackberry is paired via Bluetooth on new A4 and A5 that the Phone Book occasionally dissapears from the MMi Screen.
There is now an unofficial workaround to overcome this problem. To ensure the contacts transfer to the phone book as displayed in the MMI screen do the following;
With vehicle ignition switch on on andthe Blackberry connected via Bluetooth, disconnect and delete the pairing.
1) Switch off the ignition ensuring the key is also removed.
2) On the Blackberry go into the Email screen, hit the 'Blackberry' button and select "view folder"
3) Scroll down and select "Phone Call Logs"
4) Whilst holding the shift key scroll down to select all entries then delete them
5) Repeat steps 4 & 5 but select "Missed Calls" instead of Phone Call Logs
6) Now re-pair the Blackberry with the car.
7) Phone Numbers will now be displayed. You may occasionally need to repeat this process ever year depending on how often you make calls.
The rationale for this fix is that the Blackberry memory stores all calls in a seperate part of its memory. If you delete the call logs from the phone screen (i.e. When you select re-dial) this does not delete the items from the main hidden memory. The Bluetooth function tries to push the contacts from the hidden memory but becomes blocked due to its size. If you have not cleared the hidden memory in this way before you can have up to 12 months of call data stored in it which is too much memory for the Bluetooth system to hold.
Why are the Phone Cradles available so out of Date?
When a new phone is launched it can take up to 6 months for software details to be released which holds up Audi’s development of cradles. Once the information is obtained it can take another 6 months for the Phone Cradles to be developed. In addition UK Consumers generally update their phones twice as often as our European Cousins; therefore this problem is not experienced as much in Europe as in the UK.
In light of this, as of June 2008 the development of all new phone cradles ceased and switched to the rSAP adaptor. In the case of Generation 3, the only cradle that will fit onto the base plate is the rSAP adaptor.
Retrofit Solutions
There are currently no Audi Approved Bluetooth Retrofit options available.
For more information on Audi Phone Preparation, please contact us on 01473 556300.
Further information
Click here to see all the latest mobile phones tested by Audi. This website gives details about each phone’s degree of compatibility according to the mobile phone preparation fitted to the car.
