C4 Picasso 2017 missing Apple Carplay

[BillyBob]

Hey everyone.

I bought my first ever Citroen, a C4 Picasso 2017 a week ago.
I use Apple Carplay every day at work and was really excited to finally have it in my personal car.
But, it just simply doesn’t show up.
Not Apple Carplay, not Android Auto, not even Mirrorlink shows up.
I’ve been to many forums and spent hours googling this issue but to no avail. I’ve phoned the dealership but they have no clue.
I updated the firmware which I was convinced would rectify this issue but no. The car just recognizes my phone as an iPod.

I’ve tried everything. Multiple restarts, multiple cables, multiple iPhones, Android phones. Nothing works. Someone suggested I find another USB port but there is just one and that is labeled “iPod/iPhone”

I don’t see a Carplay or Android Auto icon anywhere. Just bluetooth.

If anyone has any type of solution for me that would be massively appreciated.

[GiveMeABreak]

I don’t believe this system currently has it. It’s an old touchscreen system.

Pop your VIN up for me (automatically masked) sonI can confirm head unit type.

[BillyBob]

Hey!

Thanks for the quick reply!

My VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so you have the analogue connected radio, no telematics unit or sat nav. Any Navigation has to be via your smartphone (CarPlay or Mirrorlink as it was, although Mirrorlink is no longer supported).

If you have an iPhone and a proper USB cable (cheap ones often will not work for CarPlay) when pressing the Applications button (middle button on right side of touch screen), the CarPlay icon should appear.

If it does not and you have a proper USB, then you may need a software update. If you can provide me with the system software version by going into the settings and system info, I can advise if there is an update.

[BillyBob]

Thanks so much for all your troubles.

I have the official lightning cable from Apple and I’ve tried a bunch of other ones that work with carplay in other cars, so I know that the issue is with the hardware/software of the car.

If you look at my post I posted a picture of the system information - or do you need something else?

Thanks again for all your help!

[GiveMeABreak]

I forgot you posted this already - I've been doing a few of these enquiries tonight.

So you have the RCC unit not the NAC and looking at the firmware available, you have the latest and last version available which came out on 26th June 2019 (1_076_16.1B116.4).

So the firmware is up to date. If you have accessed the middle right button on the Touchscreen (Applications) it should be shown up there once the USB is connected.

If it's still not playing ball I don't know what to suggest, short of asking the dealer to check the head unit configuration to ensure that CarPlay is enabled. I know that later NAC and RCC units are already supplied with this functionality without the need for any configuration, but as you have an older system it might need a tweak.

[BillyBob]

Hey Marc.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

Do you know of any way for the average person to adjust the head unit configuration? Given how my conversation with the dealership went I'm really worried they don't know how to do it... I hope I'm wrong.

Anyways, I'm relieved that you've confirmed that it is supposed to be Carplay enabled - thanks again for all your help!

[GiveMeABreak]

I can only go from the available manual for the year and model which mentions this - but as we know this is not a guarantee, as manuals are subject to change and are known to be incorrect if a feature is changed or not included after the the manual goes to press.

There is no way of configuring the unit directly. It requires specialist diagnostic equipment (Diagbox) that the dealer will have. The configuration of the BSI (which links to the Head Unit ECU) may need to be checked to see if there is any option for this. But as I mentioned this was only generally required on the precursor units to the RCC / NAC systems (the SMEG 7" Touchscreen) where a dealer intervention and firmware update was often necessary to enable this functionality back in the day.