[FrostNixon]

I have a question about the wifi, why does my phone autoconnect and why is it even available when you have no internet when you connect to it?

[VipinLJ]

No idea why but it's the same in my car too.

[Andy3661]

Originally Posted by FrostNixon

I have a question about the wifi, why does my phone autoconnect and why is it even available when you have no internet when you connect to it?

It's a subscription service, you get a month free then have to pay T-Mobile to use it.

[del82]

The car also has its own WiFi connection which is needed for CarPlay. Turn off WiFi on your phone and no CarPlay.

It should connect to the web using your data plan if you use your phone when in the car.

But to get the best out of it you need the ridiculously priced hotspot plan.

[FrostNixon]

In Europe it's all included and you just get no data, all is reserved for the car, not only that but it blocks your personal connection, so I don't know what's better, but in both ways it's stupid, because here for 10$ you get 30GB of data, which is more than enough to bundle with a 60k+ car.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by FrostNixon

In Europe it's all included and you just get no data, all is reserved for the car, not only that but it blocks your personal connection, so I don't know what's better, but in both ways it's stupid, because here for 10$ you get 30GB of data, which is more than enough to bundle with a 60k+ car.

I tried raising this with T-Mobile Hotspot and BMW UK but it didn’t register on their ‘give-a-sh!t-ometer’.

I have found the 1 month trial can be repeated once it ends. I’m now on my 3rd 1 month trial but you’re limited to 1GB p/m unless you pay £9.50 for each additional GB.

I basically requested they bring a new plan (as they have in Germany) which is c.£15 but with enough data to last the month (5 or 10GB would probably do me).

[tturbolife]

It uses WiFi for other data transmission, such as CarPlay.

[lemos]

Originally Posted by tturbolife

It uses WiFi for other data transmission, such as CarPlay.

and Android Auto

[LogicalApex]

I have the WiFi hotspot in my car (w/ data service), but if you go into Mobile Device settings you can turn off the "WiFi" or "Internet Access" (can't remember the wording). This is a separate setting from CarPlay or AA. I assume turning that off should help you out.

You can also disable the WiFi Hotspot entirely which won't impact AA or CarPlay.

[FrostNixon]

Ty, I'll look fir that and disable it. I hate having to disable the wifi on my phone every time I go for a drive.

[tturbolife]

Originally Posted by FrostNixon

Ty, I'll look fir that and disable it. I hate having to disable the wifi on my phone every time I go for a drive.

What device are you using? Your device should be smart enough to know that the access point isn't providing internet access and remain on the network for access to other devices on that network (again for things like CarPlay or Android Auto) but use your cellular connection for internet access.

[lemos]

Originally Posted by tturbolife

What device are you using? Your device should be smart enough to know that the access point isn't providing internet access and remain on the network for access to other devices on that network (again for things like CarPlay or Android Auto) but use your cellular connection for internet access.

exactly this. My Samsung S20 shows that the Wi-Fi is a dead end, so it continues to use 4G.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by lemos

exactly this. My Samsung S20 shows that the Wi-Fi is a dead end, so it continues to use 4G.

If you don’t have a hotspot data plan, you need to disable the “Internet Use” option under Mobile Devices - Settings. Leave Apple CarPlay enabled and then it will still connect via WiFi for that, but use the phones data plan.

I think the phone isn’t smart enough to detect no internet access because it’s being filtered when you don’t have an active plan e.g. I think you can access the hotspot website to signup.

[lemos]

Originally Posted by srbs73

If you don’t have a hotspot data plan, you need to disable the “Internet Use” option under Mobile Devices - Settings. Leave Apple CarPlay enabled and then it will still connect via WiFi for that, but use the phones data plan.

I think the phone isn’t smart enough to detect no internet access because it’s being filtered when you don’t have an active plan e.g. I think you can access the hotspot website to signup.

I think you're talking about Apple. With Android, it definitely does it automatically (it detects no Internet Access, and uses 4G (mobile data)), while being able to use Android Auto via Wi-Fi.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by lemos

I think you're talking about Apple. With Android, it definitely does it automatically (it detects no Internet Access, and uses 4G (mobile data)), while being able to use Android Auto via Wi-Fi.

I believe Apple does the same, perhaps Android does a better job but I think the issue is, when Internet Use is enabled, the phone does see Internet access, it’s just most sites are blocked until you have an active data plan.

[Kleev]

I don't get what I'm missing here?

Your phone has its own data right? When I get in the car, the car automatically connects to my phone, either over carplay or just using connect.

I can use spotify, make calls, send whatsapps. What more do you need?

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Kleev

I don't get what I'm missing here?

Your phone has its own data right? When I get in the car, the car automatically connects to my phone, either over carplay or just using connect.

I can use spotify, make calls, send whatsapps. What more do you need?

The issue some are having is when they don’t have a data plan, their phone is connecting to the Wi-fi but not able to use the phones data, hence why I said a few posts previously, you just need to turn off Internet Use so the Wi-fi is used for CarPlay / Connect only.

[Kleev]

Originally Posted by srbs73

The issue some are having is when they don’t have a data plan, their phone is connecting to the Wi-fi but not able to use the phones data, hence why I said a few posts previously, you just need to turn off Internet Use so the Wi-fi is used for CarPlay / Connect only.

I see. Who doesn't have a data plan with their phone nowadays?!

[Edcec]

Originally Posted by srbs73

I believe Apple does the same, perhaps Android does a better job but I think the issue is, when Internet Use is enabled, the phone does see Internet access, it’s just most sites are blocked until you have an active data plan.

I have Apple and yes, it does the same.

[del82]

Originally Posted by Kleev

I see. Who doesn't have a data plan with their phone nowadays?!

Not having/having a data plan is not the issue.

For some reason when Internet use option is on, the phone connects to the WiFi but it doesn't allow you to use the data on the phone. So for example you can't access a webpage on your phone.

I have an unlimited data plan on my phone but if my phone is connected to the car WiFi, it tries to use that to access the internet instead of using 4G so you get 'Safari can't access this page' message on the phone.

Turning off the Internet option still keeps access to CarPlay/AA but now your phone is using 4G.

[Kleev]

Originally Posted by del82

Not having/having a data plan is not the issue.

For some reason when Internet use option is on, the phone connects to the WiFi but it doesn't allow you to use the data on the phone. So for example you can't access a webpage on your phone.

I have an unlimited data plan on my phone but if my phone is connected to the car WiFi, it tries to use that to access the internet instead of using 4G so you get 'Safari can't access this page' message on the phone.

Turning off the Internet option still keeps access to CarPlay/AA but now your phone is using 4G.

Ah ok I follow now. I will test mine out and see if I can still access the internet. Actually, I think did browse the net on my phone whilst connected via airplay so I think it's all good.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Kleev

I see. Who doesn't have a data plan with their phone nowadays?!

I am talking about data plan for the car i.e. T-Mobile Hotspot in UK / EU