INTERNET

I am still in learning mode on this great car.
On the Audi App there is a Store Basket purchase option.
When I opened it, I was offered, once activated, 3Gb of Data.
So I activated it -

It turns the car into a Hotspot. Namely, it provides the ability for others to connect to the Internet.
Basically the same as a home with Wireless Broadband - If the kids have a Tablet, once they have been given the vehicle Internet Hotspot name - and Password (all user configurable), the Tablet will connect to the Internet.

The account is set up with Vodafone - which can be accessed via the App. to view Data used and purchase more.
Seems that every month, 3Gb of Data is made available for three years. Free of charge.
There is also the ability to top up the Data at a cost.

Not sure if I will make use of it - but thought it a nice touch, and worth sharing.

35 minutes ago, MartinInnes said:

INTERNET

I am still in learning mode on this great car.
On the Audi App there is a Store Basket purchase option.
When I opened it, I was offered, once activated, 3Gb of Data.
So I activated it -

It turns the car into a Hotspot. Namely, it provides the ability for others to connect to the Internet.
Basically the same as a home with Wireless Broadband - If the kids have a Tablet, once they have been given the vehicle Internet Hotspot name - and Password (all user configurable), the Tablet will connect to the Internet.

The account is set up with Vodafone - which can be accessed via the App. to view Data used and purchase more.
Seems that every month, 3Gb of Data is made available for three years. Free of charge.
There is also the ability to top up the Data at a cost.

Not sure if I will make use of it - but thought it a nice touch, and worth sharing.

I'm shocked a new Audi didn't come with all that ,plus a tracker for free ,for 3 years.

A tracker was offered - at my expense. And what an expense, plus subscription.

But this free internet was a pleasant surprise.

49 minutes ago, MartinInnes said:

A tracker was offered - at my expense. And what an expense, plus subscription.

But this free internet was a pleasant surprise.

Did you get Audi connect free for 3 years. ?

Seems that every month, 3Gb of Data is made available for three years. Free of charge.

38 minutes ago, MartinInnes said:

Seems that every month, 3Gb of Data is made available for three years. Free of charge.

Mine came with a tracker , plus ,What's on this ,My Audi app photo.

Edited April 23Apr 23 by Audisq524

Thank you for sharing - and yes, these came with my vehicle.

The only available options to purchase as an extra are some Themes.

And as mentioned, the option to activate the three-year free Internet connection.

I just tried the Internet option with my laptop.
With the car running, I brought the laptop into the car.

Laptop looked for WiFi - and it found my Audi Hotspot - I had named it Audi Q3.

Entered my preset WiFi password - and voila - laptop connected to the Internet.

Point of note, though - for me anyway - 3Gb is a pretty low amount of Data.

By the time my laptop had connected and downloaded emails and usual connection stuff, I was down to 2.3Gb of Data left after five minutes. Also, the top-ups are quite expensive - 30Gb is £25.00.

So, other than as an emergency connection, the Data amount is pretty pathetic.

Easier for me to turn on the hotspot on my iPhone that has an unlimited Data Plan - and use that instead if ever a need arose.

So, as said previously - not something that interests me currently - but could be helpful in an emergency, and some might find a use for it. I would also like to think that it may have a stronger signal connection than my in-pocket iPhone. Also - It might prove useful in the event of my iPhone EE connection being poor, but perhaps good with the Car Vodafone Hotspot.

Anyway - just my experience and thoughts - for others.

These are the App - Internet - Screenshots.

Great stuff there 👍. I'm now thinking my internet is via the tracker , that's why it's free and unlimited. All through Vodafone.

The killer for your 3 gig , would be the downloading of pictures , every picture you see on screen ,will use data .

I never use mine tbh . But like you say , it's there in emergency if required.

1 hour ago, Audisq524 said:

Great stuff there 👍. I'm now thinking my internet is via the tracker , that's why it's free and unlimited. All through Vodafone.

The killer for your 3 gig , would be the downloading of pictures , every picture you see on screen ,will use data .

I never use mine tbh . But like you say , it's there in emergency if required.

Is it a tracker, or is it the feature in the Audi App that shows the position of your vehicle?

Edited April 24Apr 24 by TreborGSA

42 minutes ago, TreborGSA said:

Is it a tracker, or is it the feature in the Audi App that shows the position of your vehicle?

Tracker. I've got 2 small fobs with the keys.

8 hours ago, TreborGSA said:

Is it a tracker, or is it the feature in the Audi App that shows the position of your vehicle?

Does your app show you car and keys , or just car ?

Just the car

50 minutes ago, TreborGSA said:

Just the car

I get both via the Audi app. Blue dot for keys , and Audi sq5 icon for car . 👍

Edited April 24Apr 24 by Audisq524

On 4/24/2026 at 11:12 PM, Audisq524 said:

I get both via the Audi app. Blue dot for keys , and Audi sq5 icon for car . 👍

I don't understand the "Blue dot for keys" what does it do/info provide it provides?

12 hours ago, TreborGSA said:

I don't understand the "Blue dot for keys" what does it do/info provide it provides?

If the car is travelling, but the keys are static ,say at my home address , then the tracker comes into play . ' car is stolen ' . An alert is sent to my mobile.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by Audisq524

3 hours ago, Audisq524 said:

If the car is travelling, but the keys are static ,say at my home address , then the tracker comes into play . ' car is stolen ' . An alert is sent to my mobile.

Ah! The screen shot helps. Yes, I do have a blue dot which shows the whereabouts of the car, it is currently in my garage. I wasn't aware that the App would send a notification if it moved whilst the keys were stationary (or not with the car).
Unless I misunderstand what your saying, it's not what insurance companies would call a tracker. My last motorcycle had a tracker, it was an independent unit hidden on the bike which came with a fob that you attached to your keys. If the bike was disturbed or moved without the fob being in the vicinity it alerted the tracking company to advise possible theft, they would then contact the registered keeper to ask if the bike was safe. If they couldn't make contact they alerted the Police.
It sounds like the tracker built into the AudiApp relies on the owner seeing the notification before any action is taken. As I say, I may have misunderstood what you have described (i.e. no human intervention to make sure the owner is aware or the Police notified) and it may work totally different.

30 minutes ago, TreborGSA said:

Ah! The screen shot helps. Yes, I do have a blue dot which shows the whereabouts of the car, it is currently in my garage. I wasn't aware that the App would send a notification if it moved whilst the keys were stationary (or not with the car).
Unless I misunderstand what your saying, it's not what insurance companies would call a tracker. My last motorcycle had a tracker, it was an independent unit hidden on the bike which came with a fob that you attached to your keys. If the bike was disturbed or moved without the fob being in the vicinity it alerted the tracking company to advise possible theft, they would then contact the registered keeper to ask if the bike was safe. If they couldn't make contact they alerted the Police.
It sounds like the tracker built into the AudiApp relies on the owner seeing the notification before any action is taken. As I say, I may have misunderstood what you have described (i.e. no human intervention to make sure the owner is aware or the Police notified) and it may work totally different.

I did already mention the 2 tracker fobs.

The blue dot is my keys , the Audi Sq5 logo is the car . In the picture.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by Audisq524

35 minutes ago, Audisq524 said:

I did already mention the 2 tracker fobs.

The blue dot is my keys , the Audi Sq5 logo is the car . In the picture.

Fair enough, I did say I may have misunderstood what you were saying, especially as the vehicle location on the App looks the same as mine (though different street, obviously 😂). As you have a separate fob for the tracker then it is similar to what I had on my motorcycle.
Now I've zoomed in on the location map I can see that blue dot does represent the keys as they are away from the Q3 logo. I have read the manual cover to cover and I don't remember seeing any mention of this (though it did make for heavy reading so I could've missed it.

I probably will get a message if the car is taken without the keys, but I won't know unless someone nicks It! 🤣

On my previous car, a Volvo, the car App had a similar vehicle locator, but if the car was moving it stopped tracking. If the Q3 carries on giving the car location when it's moving, then this pretty much makes it a fully functional tracker, all it needs is that human touch where someone contacts you if your car is disturbed and the keys are not nearby. As the tech is already there, I'm surprised Audi don't incorporate it in to the Connected Audi Services and charge accordingly.

I've learnt a lot from this chat, thanks.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by TreborGSA

After a 4-month wait, it's finally arrived.

Picked up in Burgos, Spain.

Trust me - It will have been worth the wait.

When you have become acquainted, please share your thoughts.
Good luck

Well - Just a minor update on my experience today.

I had the Ghost Immobiliser GHOST 3 installed
and
Dashcam VIOFO 329S

The Ghost - is an immobiliser that will allow the car to be started, but not allow activation of Drive mode - unless a pre-programmed button sequence is entered.

So, start the car -and the engine starts and runs as expected - then press the button sequence such as window up - mic - volume etc etc. Whatever you have preset.
This then allows - normal drive operation - without it - the car is dead..............

Unless this is entered in the correct sequence, the car will not drive. Relay attacks and key cloning are completely destroyed. Unless the correct button sequence is entered, the car will not engage Drive.

This system is not a little box that is connected via a few wires. It is integrated into the car - computer BUS system, fibre optics.

I did not want a tracker to determine where my stolen car is, possibly damaged. And I would not want it back. I wanted an option to deter stealing - and this ticks all the boxes.

In addition, to eliminate the need to enter the key sequence at every ignition start. I purchased a key fob. I just put the small fob on my car key ring - and it communicates with the car - and obviates the need to enter any key sequence. It detects my key and fob - and enables the car to start as normal. There is a lot more in terms of service mode etc - but this detail can be researched on the Internet.

It was supplied and installed by an authorised installer. It connects to the car BUS system and electronics - no wire cuts - it is intelligent and works with the car. It can not be purchased for self-install - there is a £1m payment - to anyone who can defeat the system - it has never been paid..............Hence an Authorised Installer to offer the Guarantee.

I just tested it - I used the car's spare key - opened and started the car. Put the car in drive - it would not engage. Turned off the ignition - and turned it back on - the car started. I then entered my known key sequence - and had full drive control.

NEXT - With the car locked. With the key fob on my keys, I approached the car - the car unlocked as normal - started the car no problem - selected Drive - and voila - it worked without intervention. The key fob told the system I was good to go without any sequence entry.

Interested - Then just search for Ghost Immobiliser................

DASHCAM VIOFA 329S

Front camera - and rear camera system installed.
It comes with all the bells and whistles - importantly, recording when the car is left alone.
In addition - has its own screen. If you can buy one - good luck - but they seem to be the latest best, and are unobtainable at the moment. I have had the Blackvues over the years - but things have moved on, and they don't fit my needs. I wanted a screen that the VIAFO provides.
I can connect to my Dashcam over the car internet - anywhere in the world -and view the cameras - if needed. Along with all the usual facilities. Will I ever use any of all these features - of course not..................

Phew

Now for a glass of wine -

Feel feee - to converse - but perhaps after - my large glass of wine. Hic.................

Further update on the Q3 -

Car is still as good and better than I hoped.

Point of note -
Tech Problems.

I have tried iPhone - 17Pro 17 16 Pro and iPhone Air.

Used them all -

Regardless of the model.

A nightmare for any of them to connect, get in the car, and not know if any phone connects or if CarPlay will ever work. The way the !Removed! technology for this vehicle has to connect is via its wifi hotspot. Any other car uses bluetooth. It is soooooooo old-fashioned.

My previous Mercedes - get in the car, autoconnect - thats it.

This car even wants you to click the screen at every switch-on to accept any connection for the MMI.
So get in the car - before anything is operated on the screens - you have to authorise. Why.....EVERY SINGLE TIME.

The feeling - you have the best car in the world - but hate having to use it because something you depend on - will fail. It's a clusterfuck........................I don't want to use the car - fear of more problems.

And - now every 2 days - Apple AirPlay fails - Blank screen.
Cure - Completely reset the car to factory settings - then go through the whole new car setup process. Agreed - it only takes 30 minutes - but this every 2 days is becoming a problem.............

In fact the tech is so crap - I decided - go old school. Just plug the iPhone into a cable. THAT SHOULD NOT need a wifi connection. Wrong - It also fails....................

Happy - Car, yes - tech is crap.

At the moment, I have enough stress dealing with serious life-or-death health issues. But a trip to the hospital necessitating a full car new setup - every 2 days is ....................................what can I say.

Must say I am getting good at it - and time myself each time!
So far 26 minutes is the best.............for a full factory reset - and reset all my personal settings.
The Dealership answer - deal with Audi Tech in Germany - via email. Oh, please !Removed! OFF.

Yeh right - I would be dead before the issue is resolved.............

Rant over...............................

Have you just tried resetting the MMI?
It is much quicker than a factory reset. Just hold down the rotary knob on the central console until the MMI reboots (you need to hold it down for about 15 to 20 seconds, the first message you'll get is about turning off the screen, carry on holding it down beyond this).
This has generally fixed any issues I've had and not had to do it for a few weeks now,

Thank you for the advice = no I didn't know this.
I did know the combination for my Previous car, a Mercedes.
I never even considered there might be one for the Audi..........

After your suggestion, I did a quick search, and on my vehicle it is as you say -
Research indicates it's the Volume knob in the centre console.
Next time - I will give it a whirl.

Thank you

Martin