How to update Audi MMI 3G Firmware: Format your SD in FAT 32. Copy the root of your firmware in the SD (like picture below) Open “Engineering Menu”. MMI 2G (A8) TEL+RETURN.
Before we can load 2019 Audi maps, we have to update your firmware for Infotainment system. The latest firmware is version 0942. This is similar to an iPhone update - Makes the Infotainment faster and fixes bugs. Once firmware is updated we can proceed with the 2019 Audi Map Update. Having Updated Audi Maps, we proceed to activate them with a. System on their own. The map update is only available in the MMI via an OTA update (as of March 2020). For the 2015-2016 Audi A3 with MIB1, there is no OTA option in the MMI. Thus the map data can only be updated using the SD card method (see attachment “MIB Map Update Strategy.pdf”).
Audi recently updated its MMI system, with its MIB 3 hardware. This new third-generation of infotainment brings a new chipset that’s up to ten times faster than the outgoing system, which gives Audi the ability to offer even more new features. Among the new functions that will be available for 2021 model-year cars will be as follows:
– Wireless provider for in-vehicle functions: Verizon
- – LTE Advanced Pro modem rated for up to 1 Gbps download speed
- – 11ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands)
– HD voice communication
– New Linux-based operating system
Those might not seem too thrilling but their are interesting, specifically the 1 Gbps download speed. In the future, most electric cars, and even many internal combustion engine cars, will feature extensive over-the-air updates. That ability to download updates at Gigabit speed will be incredibly helpful. But, really, that speed is to help your tweens watch TikTok videos in the back seat in lag-free high-definition.
There will also be some other new features, such as:
- – SiriusXM with 360L
- – Hybrid digital radio
- – New myAudi app digital storefront experience with myAudi marketplace
- – Function on Demand
- – Navigation
- – More Features to be Added
What are these new functions, exactly? Sirius XM 360L essentially better integrates Sirius with specific cars, giving customers a more comprehensive selection of channels and a better-integrated user interface.
Hybrid digital radio is interesting, as it combines both terrestrial FM radio and digital HD radio. So if you’re listening to an FM station but drive outside of its range, the car will automatically switch to the digital version of the station, using the car’s LTE connection, seamlessly. So your station never stops due to range.
Function on Demand will allow customers to actually buy certain functions for the MMI system on the fly. So if you didn’t option something when buying the car new, or if you bought the car used and it didn’t have a certain feature you wanted, you can simply purchase the feature afterward. For instance, if you bought an Audi A4 without the added navigation package but now want it, you can just buy it through the MMI system and it will unlock and download.
All new MIB 3-equipped Audis will be Amazon Alexa Auto-capable as well. With Alexa Auto, you can connect your Audi account to your Amazon Prime Alexa and use the MMI system to control Alexa’s functions. For instance, you can ask for directions, check the weather in certain areas, add items to your shopping list or whatever else you’d use it (her?) for. Essentially, it turns the car into an extension of your own Alexa.
There’s also the integrated toll module, which links your potentially various toll accounts to the car, meaning you never have to have the little toll dongle in your car. You simply connect the car to your different accounts and never worry about tolls again. Brilliant.
Wanted to update the maps in my car’s navigation system. To Audi’s credit they provide twice-yearly upgrades via a variety of methods, some free. (Sadly they don’t seem to have any way to update the MMI firmware though). The map updates are badly documented, so here’s the details.
First, the easy options that cost money. You can pay the dealer to do it. Or you can pay for the Audi Connect service (the cellular data for your car) and updates come over the air.
Now the free manual option. Discussed here, also see this video. It’s not hard or scary, the only real nuisance is their Java download program. Detailed walkthrough:
Downloading update
- Log in to myAudi.
- Click the “Audi connect services” button. I had a lot of trouble with their SSO redirects, maybe related to my ad blockers and privacy stuff.
- On the Audi Connect website go to Services / Map Update and select “Complete Package”, then click the “Prepare Package” button.
- Download the map update! Ha ha just kidding. Download a tiny JNLP file for Java Web Start to run a download program that Audi requires you use.
- Run the JNLP program. I managed finally by enabling it in the Java control panel (Security / Enable Java content for browser and Web Start applications) and then running “javaws foo.jnlp” from a command line. Perhaps there’s an easier way.
- Wait for the download. The full US maps were about 11GB.
- The download program creates four files. Two small files: one named metainfo2.txt and one named randomhexstring.md5. And two directories with the data: Mib1 and Mib2. Apparently all 4 are necessary for an update.
- Copy the 4 to the root directory of a FAT32 system on an SD card. (A USB drive will work as well.)
Installing update
- Go to the car and put the SD card in one of the slots for the MMI. (I used SD2).
- Turn the MMI on. (I do this by turning the radio on, not the ignition).
- Go to Settings / System Maintenance / Version info to check the versions of things on your system already. This shows the MMI software version (0694 for me) and some basic navigation database info; you have to navigate to the Navigation database submenu to see all the databases you have. My car had about 20 2016/2017 databases for North America, plus a single 2017/2018 for USA, Region 4 (California, where I live). That was an OTA update I got right after buying the car.
- Go to Audi Connect and select “Software update”. Select the source you plugged in (SD2 for me) and it begins. It takes awhile, about 30 minutes for me.
- Leave the car and close the door. Lights will turn off but the MMI will continue to be running with the screen lit and updating. Eventually the screen will close and it seems to keep updating. Hopefully none of this drains the battery too much. The update is automatic and requires no extra input
- Once it finishes you may have to enter a single click to acknowledge the update.
- Go back to Version info to check the version numbers. Now all my car’s maps are labelled “2018”. Success!
Audi Map Update 2019 News
Of course I’m curious about the contents of the update files but couldn’t find a lot of info. Mib1 has a directory named “Eggnog” and Mib2 has “Truffles”; internal product names? Mib1’s datafiles seem to be named “.psf” and Linux guesses some (but not all) are FoxPro FPT files, which seems plausible. Mib2 is mostly compressed data I couldn’t figure out, which some small SQLite tables without much interesting it. Probably all proprietary data, of course, and if they’re smart it’s encrypted too to prevent casual snoops like me from lifting all the data out.
Audi Map Update 2019 Philippines
Garmin Map Update
Shame Audi doesn’t also let you upgrade MMI firmware. Mine has a bug where it’s limited to indexing 10,000 music files. Admittedly that’s a lot of music, but it’s a nuisance if you just want to copy all the music you own into the car. Static array sizes: not even once!