Pixelated screen using Apple CarPlay

VW software update is projected to be available in May 2023. Need version 840, is what I’ve been told. Will need to go to dealership to do.

Today I had a visit to SEAT authorised service, and they told me that pixelation is the common issue across VW group, and that is there when dark background theme is selected, there is a break in data transfer.

He told me that the solution is to remove screen timeout, to be never, meaning screen should be all the time on, then problem will not occur.

I did not tried that but if true, can help others. In the meantime my infotainment was updated, and lets see if it will work with the update....

If you use USB cable the screen will not be affected. However need to make sure that it is not still using WiFi while connected via USB.

If you are connected via WiFi while plug in via USB, you will see a battery charging icon at the phone status at the top right/left (depending on where you are).

If it is connected via USB, you won't see a battery icon.

1 jun 2023: pixelated screen-problem solved. My car : Octavia Combi iV (2021) / iPhone 13pro ios16.5 . Software update (nr 1896) by Skoda-dealer Tilburg- Bastiaansen (NL) solved the problem!! Waze en Google Maps working perfect with Apple CarPlay.

Hi,

This workaround on Waze seems to be working for me since a couple of days:

• put your maps on 2D (no 3D, no automatic)
• Do not check "automatic zoom"
• Maps type: default

I got not pixelation since then, I'm feeling Waze a bit slower but still usable.

issue is due to the fact Waze and Google Maps in their last version are sending 60 Frame Per Seconds (60 FPS) via Carplay to the multimedia units. VW MIB3 is answering to the iPhone that it is able to support 60 FPS, but in reality it can only support 30 FPS... so after a few minutes the memory buffer is overloaded and can't follow... the solution is that VW should say to Carplay that it can only support 30 FPS

Yeah!! Finally got mine resolved. It was an update in the head unit firmware. I guess the squeaky wheel gets the most attention.

Thanks for the information. Otherwise; I might end up barking up the wrong tree.

Hello cristiandrg,

Thank you for reaching out to Apple Support Communities, and we'll be happy to help in any way we can. We understand you're having issues with CarPlay. Try the steps listed here to see if they resolve the issue: If you need help with CarPlay - Apple Support

"If you need help with CarPlay 

If CarPlay doesn't work like you expect, learn what to do.

First, make sure that your country or region supports CarPlay and that your car supports CarPlay. If you're unsure if your car supports CarPlay, contact the vehicle manufacturer.

Make sure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS. If your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS, follow these steps — checking CarPlay after each step:

1. Check your connection to your CarPlay stereo:

• If you have a wired connection, try connecting again with a different USB cable to a different USB port if you have one.
• If you have a wireless connection, make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled under Settings > Wi-Fi and Settings > Bluetooth.

1. If CarPlay doesn't activate automatically, look for the CarPlay logo on your car's display.
2. Restart your iPhone and your car. 
3. Make sure that Siri is on.
4. If your iPhone isn't detected by CarPlay, make sure that CarPlay isn't restricted. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap Allowed Apps and make sure that CarPlay is enabled.
5. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your car, then tap Forget This Car. Then set up CarPlay again.
6. Make sure that your CarPlay stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.

If you still have issues connecting to CarPlay, contact Apple Support."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

I have a Tiguan 2022 model and the same pixelated issue. My current workaround is to zoom out of google maps a little every time I start up google maps:

1. If you’re getting directions to somewhere, enter the address first and choose your route. After that zoom out of the map a little
2. If not getting directions, just zoom out of the map a little
3. If the map becomes pixelated. Close out Apple CarPlay and get into the main car menu to reset the pixelation issue. And then repeat steps 1 or 2

I had also run into this issue as everyone else.

Well I was digging around a bit. The issue only comes forward if the CarPlay screen is not using the old standard (800x480px (5:3) aspect ratio - see the image attached.)

The only thing I was not able to find out, if the issue is related to the amount of pixels or the aspect ratio.

The german car manufacturers are suffering from this because they started using the Wider ( 16:9 and or 8:3 ) configurations.

You might know that the carplay or android auto hardware in the headunits are tehcinally just like a screen. They display the image sent by the devices and returning the input from the car. The audio is Bluetooth.

It's still mind bending that it takes that long for the companies to figure out how to fix this.

I tried with updated infotainment version, and in 20 minutes I did not have the issue (usually was there in the first 5-10 mins).

Once I drive more, I will see if issue was resolved with the update (New Ateca with 0836 version).

My VW had a software update this week. Over the air so I didn’t have to take it to the dealer , and obviously whatever the fault was with wireless Apple play has now been rectified as Google Maps and Waze are both now 100%.

It seems that disabling Google Maps from CarPlay apps surprisingly fixes the problem with Waze. Tested for 30 mins — no pixelated screen (Tiguan 2022, MIB3) while using Waze, but further testing is probably required.

From what other users suggested in previous posts, it looks like VW released a software update that fixes the issue. Don't know, however, if it also depends on specific car models, other than the provided infotainment system

This fixed it for me. Waze works fine now without this pixilation issue.

For apple car play and Waze. I noticed an issue where the screen would get all fuzzy randomly.

Go to apple iPhone settings, general, CarPlay, find the car, customize, REMOVE google maps from that list