Is there any benefit of having WiFi…

Besides internet connection, major benefit of Wi-Fi hardware is that it allows for wireless CarPlay, which uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections simultaneously.

In terms of privacy concerns, I called Toyota and completely severed their over the air connection to my truck.

 

How can it use both simultaneously?

 

I own a Ford and not a Tundra but one perk I have found that makes me inclined to re up my free trial for a year is if we hit a rest stop or gas station or a store and my family stays in the truck while I run inside. I can take my phone and the kid’s internet connection is un-interrupted if I leave the truck on.

 

99% of the time I forget to grab my phone because it’s out of sight on the charger (which works fine, btw).

 

I didn't see anyone else mention it but I'm considering getting the wifi for dash cam connectivity. The Garmin dash cam I have connects to wifi and will record and notify me of any clips recorded while the car is parked. Since I ride a carpool van and will be leaving my truck at a stop it would be nice to have a camera with constant access. That is unless the wifi doesn't work if the truck is off.

 

You need both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection for CarPlay to work. Some of the functions are done via Bluetooth, while the larger data goes through Wi-Fi.

Im not an engineer, but should be able to find info online, like this one.

https://www.cars.com/amp/articles/wireless-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-where-are-they-now-407297/

To demonstrate that, try connecting your phone to the truck next to your house, you will see your phone will come of your house Wi-Fi and go to cellular mode, since Wi-Fi is used for CarPlay.

 

Actually I’ve never activated WiFi in my truck, simply connected via Bluetooth, and have been using CarPlay since Day 1. Doesn’t that prove that WiFi isn’t necessary?

 

Due it is not a May be. It is a fact: wireless CarPlay needs Wi-Fi.

Connecting CarPlay wirelessly creates a Wi-Fi connection between phone and the truck. If you activated wireless CarPlay, that is activating Wi-Fi.

Ok if you do not believe this. Try activating the Wi-Fi in the truck to connect to your house when your phone is wirelessly connected. This will cause the phone connection to be lost.

 

This is the part of the article linked above that explains it

 

I can turn off WiFi on my phone and still connect to CarPlay.

Surely you don’t expect Apple CarPlay to to stop working if I don’t activate the WiFi?

 

My exact point, in wireless CarPlay mode, your phone Wi-Fi is off, as it is tied to CarPlay.

Try turning the Wi-Fi on on your phone, you will disconnect wireless CarPlay.


PS: may be this will be more clear. Wireless CarPlay uses the same protocol and hardware that is used by Wi-Fi. Since both use the same hardware and protocol, only one or the other can be used. You cannot have wireless CarPlay on and have your phone connected to a Wi-Fi network.

 

I can turn the WiFi on my phone on, NOT connect to the WiFi in my truck (because it’s not enabled) and still have CarPlay thru Bluetooth. Rather than argue with me, go try it…you’ll find that I’m right.

 

I have tried it multiple times. I just did, you should try it yourself instead of arguing.

you cannot have your phone Wi-Fi connected to a network and have wireless CarPlay, not just wired CarPlay.

I will post a video tomorrow showing it.

 

I have no idea what you’re saying. If I have WiFi on my iPhone disabled (turned off) I still have Apple CarPlay thru Bluetooth. I do not have the AT&T WiFi on the infotainment unit enabled and I’m not planning on getting a subscription that I don’t need to make CarPlay work.

 

I think I’m not able to explain well. Either way, enjoy your truck!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ

 

Correct you will not need the AT&T subscription to make wireless CarPlay work.

Wireless CarPlay requires wifi to move larger amounts of data that a Bluetooth connection cannot send in its limited bandwidth. BUT that wifi is a LOCAL wifi, it isn’t connected to the internet. If you’ve played video games - CarPlay is kind of like couch co-op or a LAN party and the wifi subscription is like Xbox live/ps+ multiplayer subscription haha

 

A few hours of digital detox is never a bad thing. A little family time can go a long way.

 

I got a wifi hotspot module for my blackvue dashcam....it connects to the cloud for downloading videos. Also up to 5 people can connect to the wifi while in the truck. I got an Amazon firestick I'm hoping to connect to the HDMI on my Kenwood headunit so you can watch things. Hope it works....

 

I think I've figured out the WIFI and CarPlay issue. I cancelled my AT&T in car data plan yesterday and verified that it was in fact turned off and CarPlay worked just fine. However, I wasn't aware that I would lose the streaming music stations, (Amazon Music & Apple music). Both quit working and I received an error message stating that a data plan is required. Logged into myvehicle.att.com and reactivated my plan, unlimited data for $20.00 per month and the streaming services are working again.

 

You should be able to run those through CarPlay from their respective apps on your phone though


…thereby using your own phone’s data plan and saving yourself $20 per month no?

I don’t have the truck WiFi plan and I don’t have Apple Music but my Amazon music works just fine (via my iPhone app/CarPlay)

 

Thanks for the tip. You saved me $20.00 a month. I just went out to the truck and it works as you described.

 

Without the WIFI will the app still function, ie- remote unlock, lock and start? I mainly use it for checking to see if I remember to lock the truck.

 

No need for the wifi/hotspot option for those functions to work

 

Apple CarPlay just need to step up and add streaming apps to their lineup. Their app lineup has more restaurant, gas, and ev info, than entertainment....