USB Ports

[the2ems]

Picking up a ‘23 C4 on Friday. Just a quick question regarding the two USB ports under the screen. One is USB C, the other is “standard”. Will they both charge a connected phone?

[GiveMeABreak]

There's a USB type 'A' and a type 'C'. The one at the front left is the standard type 'A' that is used for charging and Android Auto / Apple CarPlay. The USB 'C' type is a power supply and for recharging only if I remember correctly when I had one of these for a week.

So both charge, but the USB 'C' is only for that purpose.

[the2ems]

Thanks

[Danilt83]

Hi there

On the conversation of the USB ports, I have a 2018 Citroen C4 Cactus Flair that I bought last year. The previous owner was able to use Car Play through his Android phone but I, for the life of me, cannot get it to work on my iphone.

I have a USB C lead plugged in but it just charges my phone and car play stays greyed out on the screen in the car.

Could someone let me know what I am doing wrong?

Many thanks in advance.

[GiveMeABreak]

1) Android phones do not use CarPlay - that's only an Apple IOS Feature. So is likely Android Auto or Mirrorlink (Mirrorlink has now been discontinued in favour of Android Auto for Android devices).

2) USB C is unlikely for this year. These were only fitted on much more recent models.

If you provide your VIN I can determine what exact head unit you have and the ports issue before providing further advice. Please post your VIN in full without spaces - it will be automatically masked from public view after submitting your post & will only be visible to staff.

[Danilt83]

Thanks for the quick reply.

The end of the cable that goes into my phone is a C port is what I meant (not the other end of the lead).

I will send the VIN number shortly.

Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

That makes more sense.

[Danilt83]

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

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, that's good news in that you have the Connected Navigation (NAC) system system which supports CarPlay.

So the issue is likely to be the cable.

1) Make sure you are NOT using any sort of USB extender or HUB - the iPhone takes over management / control of the USB when connected, so will not allow more than a single connection to the phone.
2) Make sure you are using a genuine official cable or a MFI certified cable from a decent manufacturer like Anker. Many cheap Chinese copies often do not have the requisite circuitry and are not MFI ('Made for iPhone/iPad') certified. Cheap cables often lead to overheating or overvoltage situations and can damage your equipment.
3) Make sure you have enabled CarPlay on your iPhone:

If your iPhone isn’t detected by CarPlay, make sure that CarPlay isn’t restricted. On your iPhone, Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If Content & Privacy Restrictions is turned on, tap Allowed Apps and make sure CarPlay is enabled.

Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your car and then tap Forget This Car. Then set up CarPlay again.

[Danilt83]

Hi Marc

Thank you for all of this information.

Content & Privacy Restrictions was turned off on my iphone, would that have made a difference to CarPlay being enabled? When I turned on Content and Privacy Restrictions, CarPlay was on.

I will have a look into getting a different cable as well.

Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

Great, glad you have that sorted - an easy free solution.

Yes, permissions / privacy settings are often overlooked and the defaults are not always great - either set to 'tell the world who you are and what you do' or to 'I don't exist'. It's striking the balance between privacy and functionality.

[Danilt83]

Sadly turning the contents and privacy on didn't solve the issue so I am going to try and get a new lead to see if that works.

Would I be able to trouble you with a question about the wiper blades for my car please?

Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

What would you like to know?

If it's a part number request, please refer to this thread (viewtopic.php?p=685750#p685750).

[Danilt83]

The new lead worked and Car play is now working. Thank you for your help

[GiveMeABreak]

Great,