Why can Audi Bluetooth only make calls but not play music?
4 Answers
Audi Bluetooth can only make calls but not play music for the following reasons: Music function not enabled: The multimedia music function of the car Bluetooth is not turned on. Find the multimedia option on the screen, enter it, and select Bluetooth to play music. Bluetooth interference: The media audio on the phone is not turned off, causing signal interference with the Bluetooth function. First, enter the Bluetooth settings interface on the phone, where there are two options: phone audio and media audio. After connecting to the car Bluetooth, both options are enabled by default. The owner needs to turn off the media audio and keep the phone audio, which ensures that the three functions of Bluetooth calls, car music playback (or radio), and phone navigation voice announcements do not interfere with each other.
I also encountered the issue where Bluetooth in my Audi could only make calls but not play music. It was quite annoying not being able to listen to songs for relaxation while driving. Later I found out it was due to incorrect vehicle settings. The Audi MMI system might have only enabled the hands-free calling feature by default without activating the music streaming function. You need to go into the car settings, find the "Bluetooth" option, enter the paired device list, and check if there's an "Audio Media" or similar option to tick. If it still doesn't work, it might be a phone issue. I checked my iPhone settings - tap the "i" icon next to the Audi vehicle name in the Bluetooth device list and make sure "Media Audio" is enabled. Occasionally outdated phone or car software can cause malfunctions, and updating to the latest firmware usually solves it. Don't forget to try restarting both your phone and the car's infotainment system - many people fixed the problem this way. If all else fails, taking it to an Audi specialist workshop for technician assistance with the settings might be the most hassle-free solution.
As someone who enjoys delving into technical details, I investigated the reason why my Audi's Bluetooth only handles calls but not music playback. This is typically due to differences in Bluetooth protocols: the HFP (Hands-Free Profile) manages phone calls, while A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) handles audio streaming. If A2DP isn't properly enabled during pairing, music playback will fail. In Audi vehicles, you need to access the car's menu, select Bluetooth settings, and confirm that media sharing is activated. The phone side also requires synchronization—for Android systems, open the Audi connection in the Bluetooth devices page and check the 'Media audio' option. Additionally, phone system updates or outdated car software versions may cause compatibility issues, which can often be resolved by updating. It's advisable to first test functionality using the official Audi app or a USB connection to rule out hardware faults. The process isn't complicated, but the key lies in carefully checking the settings details.
Over the years of driving my Audi, the Bluetooth feature has been quite convenient for me, but sometimes being limited to calls without music playback can indeed be inconvenient. After my kids looked into it, they found it was a settings issue—they said the media option wasn't checked during device pairing. You should go into the infotainment screen menu in your car, find the Bluetooth connection, and check if it's set to calls only. My phone is an older Android model, so I had to select the Audi's name in the Bluetooth list to enable audio permissions. If the issue persists after making these changes, it might be due to signal interference or system aging—restarting both the car's infotainment system and the phone often helps. If all else fails, visit the dealership to have an expert adjust it—safety first, don't let it affect driving safety. Remember to regularly maintain and check these features, keeping them updated to avoid malfunctions.
