Get Connectivity -> We Connect Guide for Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

Introduction

Observe the safety instructions for data transmission in the vehicle (→ Cyber security)→ Introduction.

We Connect combines various online services which provide you with additional vehicle functions.We Connect

connects you with your vehicle via your mobile telephone or computer using the Internet.

To use We Connect, it must first be activated online by concluding aWe Connect contract with Volkswagen AG and is

subject to a restricted, country-dependent period of validity.

Both the We Connect portfolio offered by Volkswagen and individual services may be changed, discontinued,

deactivated, reactivated, renamed and expanded without further notice.

Further information on We Connect, e.g. on how to create the user account, is available on the Internet in Europe:

After creating a user account, further information is also available via the “myVolkswagen” web page:

The provision and availability ofWe Connect services and service portfolios can vary depending on the country,

vehicle equipment and the vehicle itself.

WARNING

In areas with insufficient mobile telephone andGPS

reception, no emergency calls and phone calls can be made and no data can be transmitted.

● Go to another location.

NOTICE

Vehicle damage may be caused by factors beyond the control of Volkswagen AG. Such factors include in particular:

● Insufficient network strength

● Misuse of mobile devices

● Data loss during transfer

● Unsuitable and malicious third-party applications(apps).

● Malicious software on data media, computers, tablets and mobile telephones.

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Services portfolio

The available We Connect services depend on whichWe Connect package you have purchased, which user role is

assigned to your user account in the vehicle and whether the vehicle has been activated for a We Connect user

account.

The initial assignment of services listed here represents the maximum possible scope. The maximum possible scope is

available only for a few vehicle models. There may be changes in the assignment shown here during the service life of

the vehicle.

Not all services are available in all vehicles and countries.

You can activate the “Manage services” function in the Infotainment system to see which services are available in the

vehicle, if any (→ We Connect – In the vehicle).

The portfolio of offered services may be different than that specified here in some countries and in the event of

contract renewal.

The voice or search recognition technology forWe Connect does not recognise and return search results for all

words.

You can find out on the Internet which services are actually included inWe Connect and We Connect Plus at

the time you conclude or renew your contract . This also applies to possible We Connect individual options.

We Connect services that do not require activation

These services can also be used if the vehicle is not activated in aWe Connect user account.

Not all services are available in all vehicles and countries.

—eCall Emergency System.

—Personalisation.

—In-Car apps pre-installed in the Infotainment system.

—Digital owner’s manual, if available.

The “eCall Emergency System” service is available even if you are not logged into the Infotainment

system.

You need to log into the Infotainment system to use the personalisation service and to use a pre-installedIn-

Car-App, but the vehicle does not have to be activated in aWe Connect user account.

We Connect services

Maximum possible scope. Not available in all vehicles and countries.

—Automatic Accident Notification.

—Driving data.

—Vehicle status.

—Vehicle Health Report.

—Information call.

—Breakdown Call.

—Parking Position.

—Service Scheduling.

—Doors & Lights.

—Wi-Fi

hotspot.

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We Connect Plus services

Maximum possible scope. Not available in all vehicles and countries.

—All We Connect services listed above.

—Horn & Turn Signals.

—Online Anti-Theft Alarm.

—Online Map Update.

—Online Route Calculation.

—Online Voice Control.

—Online Auxiliary Heater.

—Online Traffic Information.

—Online Destination and Route Import.

—Parking Spaces.

—Streaming & Internet.

—Media Streaming.

—Internet Radio.

—Filling Stations & Charging Stations.

—Locking & Unlocking.

We Connect individual options:

Maximum possible scope. Not available in all vehicles and countries.

—In-Car Apps.

In-Car Apps may be pre-installed in the Infotainment system and activated by the user. If technically implemented,

In-Car Apps can also be purchased and installed in the Infotainment system via theIn-Car Shop.

—We Upgrade.

For later activation of individual vehicle functions relating to specific equipment.

—Data plans.

Chargeable data plans for the use of online functions, e.g. 2 GB per month for the use of “Streaming & Internet”

services.

You need to log into the Infotainment system with a We Connect user account and the “primary user” role to

purchase an In-Car App .

The service portfolio and other individual services offered by Volkswagen may be changed, discontinued, deactivated,

reactivated, renamed and expanded without prior notice.

Detailed information about the We Connect functions and about how to set up a user account etc. are available online

in Europe and also on myVolkswagen after you have created a user account .

Prerequisites

Which Infotainment system is compatible with We Connect?

The vehicle must have been ordered and delivered with a suitable factory-fitted Infotainment system withWe

Connect.

We Connect may not be available on all Infotainment systems.

We Connect is not available in all countries and is subject to country-dependent limitations on the usage period.

Some We Connect services are not compatible with all available Infotainment systems.

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Internet connection

To use the online services, the Infotainment system has to be connected to the Internet via theeSIM

card of the factory-fitted We Connect control unit (OCU). You can set up the eSIM card Internet connection to

automatically use all We Connect services except “Streaming & Internet”.

You can purchase optional data packages in order to use the “Wi-Fi hotspot” and “Streaming and Internet” services,

or alternatively you can use a mobile telephone as a hotspot. You need a SIM

card with a data plan to use the “Wi-Fi hotspot” and “Streaming & Internet” services via a mobile hotspot.

Legal requirements

When using We Connect and We Connect Plus services, information about the vehicle is transmitted and processed

online. This data can also indirectly provide information about the respective driver, e.g. driving behaviour. As the

party concluding a We Connect and We Connect Plus contract with Volkswagen, you must ensure that data

protection and privacy rights are guaranteed when your vehicle is used by family members, friends or other drivers.

You must inform the respective driver in advance that the vehicle is transmitting and receiving data online and that

you can view this data.

Failure to observe this obligation to inform can infringe certain rights of vehicle occupants.

Tracking services: Ask all vehicle occupants

Tracking services require geodata and vehicle data to determine whether the vehicle is complying with set speed

limits, where the vehicle is parked, or whether the vehicle is being used in a geographically-defined area. This

information is displayed in the user area of the “myVolkswagen” web page and in the We Connect app.

Therefore, before driving, ask all occupants if they agree to use of the activated services. If an occupant does not

agree, deactivate the services if possible or exclude the occupant from using the vehicle.

Personal data

Volkswagen protects your personal data and uses it only to the extent permitted by law, or if you have consented to

its use. Further information on data processing in relation to We Connect and We Connect Plus services can be found

in the current version of the privacy policy which is available on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles website.

Permanent transfer of the vehicle

If you purchased the vehicle second-hand or another person has transferred it to you for permanent use,We Connect

and We Connect Plus may already be activated and the previous user may still be able to view collected data and

control certain vehicle functions via We Connect and We Connect Plus.

The previous owner of the vehicle must remove the vehicle from their “Connect Fleet” profile if they used

Connect Fleet corporate fleet management. If the previous owner does not remove the vehicle, they will be able to

continue to view the data collected by Connect Fleet. A corresponding message appears whenWe Connect services

are activated if the vehicle is still in use in Connect Fleet. Additionally, the “Connect Fleet” service in the vehicle is

activated and the globe icon in the Infotainment system lights up white to show that the vehicle is transmitting data,

even without a registered primary user.

In the Infotainment system you can see whether a person is assigned to your vehicle as the primary user. In this case,

you can register yourself as the primary user for the vehicle and automatically remove the previous primary user.

Alternatively, you can permanently delete the previous user as the primary user directly in the Infotainment system or

can set the vehicle to offline mode to restrict your vehicle’s communication with the Volkswagen data server and to

limit processing of vehicle-related data and personal details.

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Interference

Even when the above-mentioned requirements for using the services are met, the functionality of theWe Connect

services can be impaired or interrupted due to factors that lie outside the control of Volkswagen AG. Such factors

include in particular:

—Maintenance, repairs, deactivations, software updates and technical changes to your service provider’s

telecommunication systems, satellites, servers and databases.

—The telecommunications provider has changed the mobile telecommunication standard for transferring mobile

data, e.g. from UMTS

to EDGE or GPRS.

—An existing mobile telecommunications standard has been shut down by the telecommunications provider.

—Disturbance, interference or interruption of mobile phone andGPS

reception (e.g. due to high speeds, solar storms, weather, landscape, interfering devices or intensive use of the

mobile network in the relevant cells).

—If your current location is in an area with no or insufficient mobile communications andGPS

reception. This can also include tunnels, streets with tall buildings, garages, car parks, underpasses, mountains and

valleys.

—Restricted availability, completeness or correctness of information provided by third parties, e.g. maps.

—Countries and regions whereWe Connect services are not available.

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Activating We Connect, S-PIN, vTAN procedure

You can carry out activation in theWe Connect app or in the customer area of myVolkswagen .

The following steps are required forWe Connect activation including registration:

Prerequisites

✓ The ignition is switched on.

✓ The Infotainment System is switched on.

✓ The Infotainment system is connected to the Internet via the hotspot on a mobile telephone or the factory-fitted

We Connect control unit (OCU

).

✓ You have a mobile telephone with an internet connection in order to confirm registration by email.

✓ You have a valid email address in order to create a user account forWe Connect.

1. Download the We Connect app.

2. Follow the instructions in the We Connect app and the instructions for the activation and registration process.

3. Log into the service in the vehicle with the access details of yourWe Connect user account.

4. To become primary user, follow the instructions in theWe Connect app .

5. Optional: provide proof of identity in order to execute security-relevantWe Connect services.

Starting We Connect activation via the Infotainment system

A mobile telephone that supports scanning ofQR Code

s is required to startWe Connect activation via the Infotainment system.

1. Tap HOME Manage users Add user.

Or: Tap MENU Manage users Add user.

A QR Code

code is displayed that links to registration in the We Connect app.

2. Follow the other information and instructions in theWe Connect app.

S-PIN

During activation, you may be requested to create an S-PIN

.

The S-PIN

is a multi-digit number sequence that can be freely selected during the We Connect registration process.

When creating theS-PIN

, avoid easy-to-guess number sequences and generally known birthday dates. TheS-PIN can be changed in the

We Connect user account under “Account settings”.

The S-PIN

is required, e.g. to protect your user profile or to execute a security-related We Connect service in the vehicle.

You must treat theS-PIN

as strictly confidential. For security reasons, you should change the S-PIN without delay if theS-PIN is disclosed to a

third party.

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Proof of ownership and identity

How is proof of ownership provided?

Proof of ownership in the vehicle can be provided with the two-key verification method, depending on the equipment

level. It is not possible to provide proof of ownership online via myVolkswagen and in the We Connect App.

The two-key verification method is only possible with the 8” version of the Infotainment

system.

Becoming a primary user (proof of ownership by the 2-key verification method)

In order to become the primary user and thus provide proof of ownership of the vehicle, you need the two

mechanical vehicle keys that belong to the vehicle. Proof of ownership is provided in the vehicle during registration

or, if a We Connect user account already exists, in the Infotainment system via theManage users or Users functions

(→ Infotainment system overview).

1. Switch on the ignition and the Infotainment system.

2. In the Infotainment system, register forWe Connect.

Or: tap the menu optionsManage users Settings Become primary user and follow the instructions.

3. Press the open button on the first vehicle key.

4. Press the open button on the second vehicle key.

Proof of ownership is verified once the Infotainment system has processed the radio commands.

You can check the current status online in the user area ofmyVolkswagen .

Depending on equipment, proof of ownership can be provided in the vehicle by the two-key verification

method or by transfer of the registration codes from or We Connect app to the

Infotainment system.

Proof of identity (Volkswagen Ident)

Proof of identity must be provided before security-relevantWe Connect services such as “Lock & Unlock” can be

used. Proof of identity can be provided in two ways:

—In person at your Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership.

—Via video chat together with identity documents in theWe Connect app.

You can find more information aboutVolkswagen Ident online in the user area ofmyVolkswagen .

Costs may be incurred due to data exchange during the video chat. The extent of these costs depends on

tariffs and contracts that you concluded with third-party providers, e.g. telephone or mobile phone providers.

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Deactivating We Connect services

The following functions are available for deactivating and activatingWe Connect services via the Infotainment

system:

—Central deactivation or activation (→ We Connect – In the vehicle).

—Individual deactivation and activation (→ We Connect – In the vehicle).

You can only use a service again once you have cancelled the deactivation.

Some streaming services can only be activated and deactivated together, even if they are listed individually in the

relevant menu.

It is not possible to switch off or deactivate services and their associated data transmission that are required

by law, e.g. “eCall Emergency System”.

Activating and deactivating We Connect services.

After registering successfully, you can activate and deactivate the individualWe Connect services.

1. Open the system settings in the Infotainment system.

2. Open the Manage services function.

3. Activating or deactivating the respective We Connect services.

It is not possible to switch off or deactivate services that are required by

law.

You cannot activate or deactivate any services if data transmission is restricted by your privacy

settings .

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Manage services

The Manage services function is dependent on the equipment level and is not available in all Infotainment systems.

Opening the Manage services function.

1. To manage We Connect services, tap HOME

Privacy and services.

Or: Tap MENU

Privacy and services.

Or: Tap System Service.

The following options are available in the “Manage services” area of the Infotainment system:

—Check the We Connect services currently available in the vehicle.

—Show number of activated and deactivatedWe Connect services.

—Activating or deactivating individual We Connect services.

You can find more information online at .

The We Connect control unit (OCU

) can still transmit data if you deactivate allWe Connect services individually.

Settings

We Connect services can be activated or deactivated individually. To do this, open the drop-down list for the service

and make the corresponding selection.

If data transmission is restricted by the “privacy settings” function, it is not possible to activate or deactivate services

individually.

The setting options depend on the country and are not available in all vehicle models.

1. Open the Manage services function.

2. Tap Show services.

3. Select the desired setting.

All

Overview of services available in the vehicle.

Activate

Activate one or more services.

Deactivate

Deactivate one or more services.

Not available

One or more services unavailable.

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Introduction

The “privacy settings” function enables the staggered blocking and authorisation of data transmission between the

vehicle and the internet.

The “Privacy settings” function is dependent on the equipment level and is not available in all Infotainment systems.

Data transmission from external devices and their communication with the vehicle or with legally required services,

e.g. “eCall emergency call system”, cannot be prevented or deactivated by settings for the “Privacy settings”

function.

Please note that every vehicle user can adjust individual “Privacy” function settings. These settings may be

different from those preferred by the vehicle owner.

Setting privacy settings

The current mode of the “Privacy settings” function is displayed in the Infotainment system (→ Privacy settings).

1. Open the Control Centre (→ Infotainment system overview) and tap the symbol for the “Privacy settings”

function (→ Privacy settings).

2. Select the desired mode (→ Privacy settings).

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Status display

The following symbols display the status of the “Privacy settings” function individually or together in the

Infotainment system.

Connection to the Internet

Offline, not connected to the internet.

Online, connection to the Internet with restricted speed.

Online, connected to the Internet.

Privacy function symbols

“Maximum privacy” mode.

“No position data” mode.

“Use my position” mode.

“Share my position” mode.

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Glossary

Activate one of the following modes on the Infotainment system in order to permit or prevent data transmission.

“Maximum privacy” mode

—All We Connect, We Connect Plus and Connect Fleet services are deactivated and not transmitting any data.

All tracking services are deactivated (→ Privacy settings).

—The eSIM

card is deactivated.

All vehicle functions that require an online connection via theeSIM

card are deactivated (→ Privacy settings).

—It is not possible to update any information and data stored in the control units, e.g. emergency call numbers,

certificates. This can restrict functions and services or mean that they are not available.

Legally required services cannot be deactivated and still transmit data, e.g. eCall Emergency

System.

“No position data” mode

—The current position of the vehicle is not transmitted.

All tracking services are deactivated (→ Privacy settings).

—The eSIM

card remains activated.

All vehicle functions that require an online connection via theeSIM

card are activated (→ Privacy settings).

“Use my position” mode

—Information on the current position of the vehicle is not provided to other persons.

All tracking services are deactivated (→ Privacy settings).

—The eSIM

card remains activated.

All vehicle functions that require an online connection via theeSIM

card are activated.

“Share my position” mode

—All We Connect, We Connect Plus and Connect Fleet services can transmit and receive data without restriction.

All tracking services are activated.

The primary and secondary users can access the vehicle’s positioning data online atmyVolkswagen or in the

We Connect app.

—The eSIM

card is activated.

All vehicle functions that require an online connection via theeSIM

card are activated.

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Effects on online vehicle functions and tracking services

If data transfer is restricted, online vehicle functions, e.g. system update or tracking services such as vehicle location,

cannot be executed.

Some online vehicle functions and tracking services are only available in certain countries and vehicle models.

The restrictions also apply to new online vehicle functions and tracking services that are provided for the

vehicle in future.

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Introduction

After successful registration and verification, you can transfer the right to use services to other persons. You can

assign user roles and rights to other persons in your account online via myVolkswagen or on the We Connect app.

Accessing Manage users

1. Tap on the Infotainment system start screen.

Depending on the equipment, the following setting options may be available:

—Me (primary user).

—Others (secondary users).

—Key.

—Settings.

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Description of user roles

Primary user

or

—The “primary user” role is intended for the vehicle keeper or for a vehicle user who has only temporary

authorisation, e.g. a lessee or company car driver. The primary user has unrestricted rights and can assign

additional rights to other users of the vehicle by inviting them as secondary users.

—If a new primary user legitimises themselves for the vehicle, the previous primary user will automatically lose their

primary user role.

Secondary user

or

—The “Secondary user” user role is intended for users who also use the vehicle regularly. Secondary users are

assigned by the primary user: the primary user must invite the secondary user to use the vehicle. The primary user

can delete secondary users at any time.

Guest users

—The “Guest user” user role is intended for users who use a vehicle occasionally or only once. Guest users can log in

themselves in every vehicle with service capability and involvement of the primary user is not necessary. Every

vehicle user can delete the guest user in the vehicle at any time. The guest user has only restricted access to certain

online services.

Anonymous guest

—The “Anonymous guest” user role is a non person-specific account that exists locally in the vehicle and cannot be

synchronised with the server. The “Anonymous guest” user role is intended for anonymous users. Anonymous

guests are persons who have access to the vehicle but do not log in. There is only one anonymous guest account in

vehicles with personalisation, and it cannot be deleted.

—If the “Anonymous guest” role is activated in the vehicle, all users logged into the vehicle will be logged out

temporarily.

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Creating and deleting user roles

Creating a primary user

1. Register for We Connect.

2. Add vehicle to a user account.

Creating secondary users

New users can either log in with their existingWe Connect user account or register as a newWe Connect user in the

vehicle.

1. To create new users as secondary users, log in to the vehicle with the corresponding existingWe Connect user

account.

Or: Reregister forWe Connect.

A user profile is created automatically in the Infotainment system.

If a new user was not invited as a secondary user by the primary user, the user profile will be stored

automatically as a guest user in the Infotainment system.

Deleting the primary user

1. Set privacy settings to the “Share my position” mode or “online” mode.

2. Tap User or Manage users Delete user. You can select whether you only want to delete the user from the

vehicle or whether you also want to return the rights as the main user.

Or: Reset the Infotainment system to factory settings.

If a different privacy setting is chosen, the primary user may still be present on the

server.

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Introduction

After delivery, new functions can be added to the vehicle on a permanent or temporary basis usingWe Upgrade.

Functions

Before using an activated function, read and observe the relevant information and warnings in the owner’s manual or

in the digital owner’s manual that may be available.

Depending on the vehicle model, you can activate convenience and Infotainment system functions, along with driver

assistance systems, on a temporary or permanent basis.

The activation of We Upgrade functions depends on the country and vehicle.

Some Infotainment systems contain a list of activated functions.

Activated functions are not tied to the duration of theWe Connect user account.

Inform the user or buyer about any permanently or temporarily activated functions when renting or selling the

vehicle.

WARNING

If the driver is distracted when driving, this can cause accidents and serious injuries.

● Activate the functions only when the vehicle is stationary.

If the required hardware for the on-demand function is not available in the vehicle, it can be retrofitted in

some cases by a suitably qualified workshop.

If the required software for the respective on-demand function is not available in the vehicle, the software

can be retrofitted . This may be subject to charge, depending on the type of software.

Function status

The status of a function is displayed only in certain vehicles, depending on the Infotainment system being used. Once

a function is properly activated, it can be used until the end of the agreed term.

Function activated.

The function is faulty or temporarily unavailable.

A list of features on demand, e.g. navigation, that are available for the vehicle is contained either in the owner’s

manual, in the Infotainment system, on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles website or in your We Connect user

account. Some functions do not require a description, such as functions for changing the appearance or colour of the

Infotainment system.

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Requirements for We Upgrade

✓ A suitable Infotainment system is installed in the vehicle.

✓ The compatibility and performance of the hardware available in the vehicle is sufficient for the function.

✓ You have a validWe Connect contract with Volkswagen.

✓ The vehicle is assigned to yourWe Connect user account.

✓ There is sufficient mobile reception in the vehicle’s current location.

✓ The electrical system in the vehicle is functional.

✓ The vehicle battery has a sufficient charge level.

✓ The factory-fittedWe Connect control unit (OCU

) is present.

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Viewing and activating functions

Do not drive the vehicle during activation.

After successful activation, some functions require you to switch the ignition off then on again. The function can then

be used properly.

Before restarting the engine, read the notification in the Infotainment system about the completed activation

process. Observe the instructions if activation was not successful.

Viewing functions

The We Upgrade functions on demand for the vehicle are displayed in theIn-Car Shop on the Infotainment system.

Prerequisites

✓ The vehicle is assigned to aWe Connect user account.

✓ The electrical system in the vehicle is functional.

✓ The 12-volt vehicle battery is appropriately charged.

1. Tap HOME User or Manage users

Or: Tap MENU User or Manage users

.

2. Open the Privacy settings and services menu.

All available functions for the vehicle can also be viewed in theIn-Car Shop in the Infotainment

system.

Activating functions

The vehicle’s “primary user” (→ Manage users) can activate the existingWe Upgrade functions for the vehicle in the

In-Car Shop in the Infotainment system or in theWe Connect web shop.

All We Upgrade functions on demand for the vehicle are displayed in theIn-Car Shop on the Infotainment system.

Prerequisites

✓ You have the user role “Primary user” for the vehicle (→ Manage users).

✓ You have a validWe Connect contract with Volkswagen.

✓ The vehicle is assigned to yourWe Connect user account.

✓ There is sufficient mobile reception in the vehicle’s current location.

✓ The electrical system in the vehicle is functional.

✓ The 12-volt vehicle battery is appropriately charged.

✓ Tethering via mobile telephone or eSIM

is available.

1. Tap HOME User or Manage users

Or: Tap MENU User or Manage users

2. Open Privacy settings and services.

.

3. Activate the functions in the In-Car Shop.

Observe the information on the Infotainment system during activation.

Observe the instructions in the Infotainment system during and after

activation.

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If you have the “primary user” role for the vehicle (→ Manage users), you can also view activatedWe Upgrade

functions in the We Connect app.

You can find more information about the individual functions in the owner’s

manual.

Troubleshooting We Upgrade

Where can I get functions?

You can obtain functions from a web shop accessible via yourWe Connect user account.

Depending on equipment, functions can also be activated directly via the Infotainment system in theIn-Car Shop.

Is the function restricted during activation?

The function is not available during activation.

How can I tell if activation was successful?

Notification of successful software activation is displayed on the Infotainment system.

When will the activated function be available?

Depending on the activated function, it will either be available immediately or the next time you switch on the

ignition.

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Connectivity -> We Connect for Your Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

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