California On Tour App

[66tim99]

Hold for 2 seconds then release…if that doesn’t work hold for a second longer then release…I thought keeping it held for ages would do the trick but no, you need to hold them let go within a set time. I have no Internet via our van but I can control some of the central upper panel features and see how much leisure battery power remaining etc.

Seems a shame you have to press the button on the dash to make it work. I'd like to be able to see eg leisure battery status from my phone (van rarely used and not plugged in when parked).

 

[Kayleigh]

I notice the app has now been updated to,

California: Volkswagen Vanlife​

Oh the irony considering the new California is based on a car

 

[jamesC]

Seems a shame you have to press the button on the dash to make it work. I'd like to be able to see eg leisure battery status from my phone (van rarely used and not plugged in when parked).

Yes, this would be excellent. So much promise, but currently offers nothing but head scratching and frustration. Fingers crossed for a major update when the Multivan California is properly launched.

 

[AdamsFamily]

I’ve just installed this and like the features but I’m struggling with it on two fronts.

The connection between phone and Cali is a right PITA. My phone is already connected to the infotainment system - by WiFi by all accounts (not sure how) so connecting to the WiFi button can’t be done.
Made harder as Apple removed “disconnect from network” now.

On the time(s) I have managed to connect, it works nicely. For me, lighting is the biggest plus. However, once the ignition is off, after a while the Cali WiFi connection turns off so what’s the point?? ‍

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[myvanrodney]

I’ve just installed this and like the features but I’m struggling with it on two fronts.

The connection between phone and Cali is a right PITA. My phone is already connected to the infotainment system - by WiFi by all accounts (not sure how) so connecting to the WiFi button can’t be done.
Made harder as Apple removed “disconnect from network” now.

On the time(s) I have managed to connect, it works nicely. For me, lighting is the biggest plus. However, once the ignition is off, after a while the Cali WiFi connection turns off so what’s the point?? ‍

Am I doing something wrong?

i gave up on it months ago. useless

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I’ve just installed this and like the features but I’m struggling with it on two fronts.

The connection between phone and Cali is a right PITA. My phone is already connected to the infotainment system - by WiFi by all accounts (not sure how) so connecting to the WiFi button can’t be done.
Made harder as Apple removed “disconnect from network” now.

On the time(s) I have managed to connect, it works nicely. For me, lighting is the biggest plus. However, once the ignition is off, after a while the Cali WiFi connection turns off so what’s the point?? ‍

Am I doing something wrong?

Experienced exactly the same issues.

Connected once, seemed potentially useful.

Has refused to connect since.

Mind you, even CarPlay connection seems unstable unless it's a wired connection. Which makes the upspend for NavPro seems a bit redundant - it was sold to me over standard, as it connected wirelessly, which it does. Sometimes.

 

[AdamsFamily]

Experienced exactly the same issues.

Connected once, seemed potentially useful.

Has refused to connect since.

Mind you, even CarPlay connection seems unstable unless it's a wired connection. Which makes the upspend for NavPro seems a bit redundant - it was sold to me over standard, as it connected wirelessly, which it does. Sometimes.

Its a shame as it has a lot of potential. Why they chose Wi-Fi over a permanently on Bluetooth connection is beyond me anyway.
I'm slowly learning (from reading) that their implementation of all things Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are poorly executed.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Its a shame as it has a lot of potential. Why they chose Wi-Fi over a permanently on Bluetooth connection is beyond me anyway.
I'm slowly learning (from reading) that their implementation of all things Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are poorly executed.

Verily! These connections on my other modern car with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth work seamlessly.

I often feel like a Luddite on here, as people advise how to resolve issues. I have zero problems on the BMW system and 95% of rentals when I connect CarPlay.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

VW software in general is poor, as is the training of their "specialists" who install it

 

[AdamsFamily]

Verily! These connections on my other modern car with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth work seamlessly.

I often feel like a Luddite on here, as people advise how to resolve issues. I have zero problems on the BMW system and 95% of rentals when I connect CarPlay.

Likewise with my Volvo that I sold to buy this

 

[jamesC]

With wireless carplay deactivated on my phone (temporarily while on a campsite) I am thinking this might have got a bit more stable with recent vehicle and app updates.

Anybody else with a similar experience??

 

[Resfeber]

With wireless carplay deactivated on my phone (temporarily while on a campsite) I am thinking this might have got a bit more stable with recent vehicle and app updates.

Anybody else with a similar experience??

Connected mine after a few try’s in Nov2024 when I got the van new.(T6.1)
The pop roof facility is useful to close while outside monitoring.
Things then went down hill in March with refusal to connect at all.
Recently did a reset of the Cali on tour app which is suggested for repeated unable to connects and now every other connection attempt works, the van doesn’t need the key in ignition and flips between the wifi/blue tooth connection of the van (My VW) and the California on tour app with the wifi system hotspot (See screen shot)

 

[Hawthorn37]

I’m going to have to try this again!

 

[Resfeber]

I’m going to have to try this again!

I also had “an over the air” set of software updates offered at about the time I did the Cali on tour app reset and although it may be a coincidence it has been a much more stable and reliable connection since.

When I first set the app up on my iPhone I was getting nowhere until I toggled the Private WiFi address setting to “off” then the app could complete the setup whereas with the “rotating” IP address setting the app setup “fell over” as it was about to complete.
Hope this helps.

 

[WelshGas]

Oh the irony considering the new California is based on a car

Got to keep the Dinosaurs happy.

 

[Hawthorn37]

I also had “an over the air” set of software updates offered at about the time I did the Cali on tour app reset and although it may be a coincidence it has been a much more stable and reliable connection since.

When I first set the app up on my iPhone I was getting nowhere until I toggled the Private WiFi address setting to “off” then the app could complete the setup whereas with the “rotating” IP address setting the app setup “fell over” as it was about to complete.
Hope this helps.

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View attachment 135427

Nope - still can’t access the remote functions.

 

[Hawthorn37]

We don’t have the WiFi button installed - blanking plate where it should be.

 

[Resfeber]

We don’t have the WiFi button installed - blanking plate where it should be.

Sorry assumed you had the wifi button.
Not an option to use unless you have this . Think it was early Model year 2024 T6.1 that received this option so from Late Nov 2023

 

[jamesC]

It now seems to work as intended, as long as the carplay is switched off (temporarily)