App Connect

[CarbonChaos]

Well that’s funny because my late 2015 GTI has a composition media unit
( I didn’t spec nav ) 3Q0 035 842A fitted with the ‘App Connect’ logo in the menu screen.

Does this mean I can go to the dealers and get it activated so I can use CarPlay ?

[Dink]

Well that’s funny because my late 2015 GTI has a composition media unit
( I didn’t spec nav ) 3Q0 035 842A fitted with the ‘App Connect’ logo in the menu screen.

Does this mean I can go to the dealers and get it activated so I can use CarPlay ?

Yeah you should be able to get app connect activated. Its best part of £300 mind

[Keinden]

Hello all,

My apologies for reviving this forum. Currently a proud new owner of a 2015 1.2 SE TSI Polo. First car too . I was reading through this forum about changing the entertainment system box since I have a version that does not support app connect but I'm a tad unsure about particular things. I understand the USB and the box must be compatable for app connect. I just have a few questions about this:

1. The USB was changed sometime for app connectivity. Is there a way to find out if you have the compatable one? My car left on 31st July 2015
2. Does the screen need to be changed? I have the version with mute on the lower left corner.
3. I currently have the 3Q0 035 820. There are 3 other versions (A, B and C). What are their differences?

Hope someone can clarify. Thanks

[shepero]

Hi all,

Unfortunately I've recently been through this Polo/Mirrorlink/App Connect/Headunit drama myself but I've fortunately come to a resolution (after much debate with VW, finally getting compensation and going to a specialist company). I found this forum's information invaluable in trying to get this resolved so I just wanted to thank everyone for all the info provided and also confirm/advise what I've found out along the way in case useful to anyone else:

• The information provided by andraski below is 100% correct:

  These headunits are NOT compatible with App-Connect:
  - 3Q0 035 820 (Composition Media)
  - 3Q0 035 820 A / B/ C (Composition Media)
  - 3Q0 035 842 (Composition Media, can have MirrorLink only)
  - 3Q0 035 874 (Discover Media, can have MirrorLink only)
  
  These units are compatible with App-Connect:
  - 3Q0 035 842 A /B/ C (Composition Media)
  - 3Q0 035 874 A / B / C (Discover Media)

• But the information that the simplified way of knowing this - that if there's a "Mute" button in the bottom left hand corner of the display this WON'T be compatible, if there's a "Voice" button it WILL - is not 100% accurate. There are exceptions so don't rely on this, the headunit number is the key.

I've ended up using a company called Satnav Systems based in Surbiton (south-west London) to upgrade my headunit (from an 820 to an 842C). It's not cheap (£895) but it was worth it to me as I really wanted the functions and it future-proofs my car. I can't recommend their service enough, they were incredibly helpful, patient, knowledgable(!) and efficient. Oh and in case anyone else worried/wondered, the change is "behind the scenes" (in the glove box) so none of the front display/buttons change.

Hope this helps anyone who's desperately prowling the web for help like I was for a couple of months!

All the best.

[JaegerStriker]

just to add a bit more confusion to the mix

speaking to VW-Retrofit and it seems theres 4 different brands of unit.

Delphi, Harmen, Technisat and Preh

Delphi, Harmen are able to get appconnect working without going to the dealer

Technisat and Preh unable

i bought a Preh unit and they cant get it to accept the codes and neither can VW with official keys

waiting to hear back from Audi-retrofits as they have also got it to work with a polo see if they say the same about the brands

[p800aul]

Hi

While I realise there is a company on the south coast that can fit a compatible with App-Connect unit 3Q0 035 842 B to my car. As we live in Sheffield anyone know a company "up north" that can also fit these?

Thanks for any help

Regards

Paul

[hannah.slinn]

Hi all,

Unfortunately I've recently been through this Polo/Mirrorlink/App Connect/Headunit drama myself but I've fortunately come to a resolution (after much debate with VW, finally getting compensation and going to a specialist company). I found this forum's information invaluable in trying to get this resolved so I just wanted to thank everyone for all the info provided and also confirm/advise what I've found out along the way in case useful to anyone else:

• The information provided by andraski below is 100% correct:

  These headunits are NOT compatible with App-Connect:
  - 3Q0 035 820 (Composition Media)
  - 3Q0 035 820 A / B/ C (Composition Media)
  - 3Q0 035 842 (Composition Media, can have MirrorLink only)
  - 3Q0 035 874 (Discover Media, can have MirrorLink only)
  
  These units are compatible with App-Connect:
  - 3Q0 035 842 A /B/ C (Composition Media)
  - 3Q0 035 874 A / B / C (Discover Media)

• But the information that the simplified way of knowing this - that if there's a "Mute" button in the bottom left hand corner of the display this WON'T be compatible, if there's a "Voice" button it WILL - is not 100% accurate. There are exceptions so don't rely on this, the headunit number is the key.

I've ended up using a company called Satnav Systems based in Surbiton (south-west London) to upgrade my headunit (from an 820 to an 842C). It's not cheap (£895) but it was worth it to me as I really wanted the functions and it future-proofs my car. I can't recommend their service enough, they were incredibly helpful, patient, knowledgable(!) and efficient. Oh and in case anyone else worried/wondered, the change is "behind the scenes" (in the glove box) so none of the front display/buttons change.

Hope this helps anyone who's desperately prowling the web for help like I was for a couple of months!

All the best.

Hi there,

I have a Polo blueGT with Composition medai unit ref 3Q0035842A - does this mean that I take it to VW dealer to activate the App-Connect or to Satnav Systems?

Thanks!
Hannah

[Robbo770]

Hi Hannah

As your is ending 842A it is possible to upgrade software and get appleplay activated at vow or decent indie garage would be cheaper, but the manufacturer of the unit only known by removing the glovebox can be a determining factor as you will have read in this full thread.

[unknown]

So let's go to the facts!

My 2015 Polo GTI is an early 2015, so it left the factory before App-Connect was released. In VW words it means my car doesn't have the right head unit and wiring. The truth is that its head unit and USB port are not compatible with App-Connect and its functions (CarPlay and Android Auto).
Just to clarify, the Polo can have various versions of the Composition Media (just radio) or Discover Media (with satellite navigation). Here's a list of all those units:

These are NOT compatible with App-Connect:

- 3Q0 035 820 (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 820 A (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 820 B (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 820 C (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 842 (Composition Media, can have MirrorLink only)
- 3Q0 035 874 (Discover Media, can have MirrorLink only, it's the one my Polo has)


These units are compatible with App-Connect:

- 3Q0 035 842 A (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 842 B (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 842 C (Composition Media)
- 3Q0 035 874 A (Discover Media)
- 3Q0 035 874 B (Discover Media)
- 3Q0 035 874 C (Discover Media)

The only way to have App-Connect working on a car fitted with the units that are not compatible with it it's to replace the head unit for one of the ones that are compatible. If it left the factory before App-Connect was released (early 2015) you also have to replace the USB port for a newer compatible version. If you want an upgrade from Composition Media to Discover Media you have to replace the screen unit as well.
The real problem is that VW doesn't do that, for them it's straightforward: if your car left the factory after the release of App-Connect you can have it, otherwise they can't help. They can get you a newer head unit but they will not change the USB port to retrofit App-Connect on you vehicle. The only option is this case is to look for external companies that can do the job.

I got the head unit and the USB port of my Polo replaced for a newer version by Satnat Systems, just outside London, in Surbiton. I totally recommend them since they're very professional and extremely polite. You'll only find good reviews about them, no matter where you look. It's a bit pricey but worth the investment (specially if you have the Composition Media and want satellite navigation).

Hopefully this will be helpful to someone in the future.

Cheers

All this information in this forum is gold! Thanks to all.

This isn’t for our polo, but for my new (used) VW Passat 2015, but the problem is exactly the same :S
I’ve got the 3Q0 035 874 Discover Media gen2, with sat nav updated, but not only I don’t see app connect, mirror link is asking for the activation key!
From what I read, am I right to say that I can’t have app connect (Apple CarPlay) without physical intervention and a software update?
Also why are these soft interventions so bloody expensive?!

[Sabs]

Hi all,

I have a pre May 2015 polo 6C tsi, with a totally different head unit. No voice buttons, CD player above the screen, but it's got bluetooth. Can someone tell me if it's possible to buy the newer screen/buttons etc and move the cd player unit into the glove box? is this at all possible or worth it or is it better to get an aftermarket one to get the apple carplay going?

thanks,

Sabs

[CarbonChaos]

I believe yours is a basic spec car not seen here in the uk , anything is possible but you would need the 5F unit for the glove box and the screen also wiring and coding.

My guess is an after market unit to replace your current set up would be cheaper/ easier

[Sabs]

Yea I figured as much. Not really something you can just buy off the guy at the junk yard.

[keeno85]

Unfortunately I have the non compatible 3Q0 035 820 A head unit. I like the idea of standard look as opposed to aftermarket and I can see a few of the head units for sale on eBay that would take App-connect.

The question I have is, do I just need the head unit or do I need to also replace the control unit in the glove box? There are some which are selling the control unit and head unit together so I presume it’s best to have one that is link already as opposed to buying them spereatly?

[stevewb]

sorry for the thread revival, I've just bought a gti on 67 plate and I'm a bit disappointed it doesn't have app connect, been told by vw retrofit I need the headhunt changed at a cost of £400 ,

[Sabs]

I got similar news. Also would have to change the glove box because that’s where the newer head unit lives and the other is just a screen. Also found out that there’s a 50/50 chance that if you get a head unit out of a junkyard car you might not be able to override the anti theft device inside and it’s hard to know which one you get since there’s two oem suppliers. Better off buying a new phone than upgrading the unit. It has Bluetooth anyway so you can hear the voice through the car speakers.