Audi Connect Plus is a subscription service that adds remote vehicle management and emergency features to your Audi

Audi Connect Plus is a paid add-on to the standard Audi Connect system that comes with many newer Audi vehicles. It lets you control certain car functions from your phone, receive real-time traffic updates, and access emergency services through your vehicle. The service requires a separate subscription beyond your vehicle purchase, and the cost and features vary depending on your model year and location.

The service connects to your Audi through a built-in modem and your smartphone app. You do not need to install anything extra in the car — the hardware is already there. What you are paying for is the ability to unlock features that the hardware supports but the basic Audi Connect package does not include.

Key Takeaways

  • Audi Connect Plus adds remote features like locking and unlocking your doors, checking fuel level, and locating your car from your phone.
  • The service includes real-time traffic information and the ability to send navigation destinations from your phone directly to your car's system.
  • Emergency call functionality connects you to Audi roadside support or emergency services if your airbags deploy or you manually trigger the button.
  • You pay a monthly or annual subscription fee separate from your vehicle payment, and the price depends on your Audi model and your region.
  • The service requires a data connection in your vehicle, which Audi provides through a built-in modem that may have its own separate cost.

What Remote Features You Get

Audi Connect Plus lets you perform several actions from the Audi smartphone app without being in the car. You can lock and unlock your doors, flash the lights, and sound the horn — useful if you cannot remember whether you locked up or need to find your car in a parking lot. You can also check your fuel level, battery charge (if you have a plug-in hybrid), and tire pressure from the app.

The app shows you your car's location on a map in real time. Some models also let you set a geofence — a virtual boundary — and receive a notification if your car leaves that area. This feature appeals to people who share a vehicle with family members or want to monitor a car they lend out.

You can also send a destination from your phone to your car's navigation system. Instead of typing an address into the car's touchscreen while parked, you search on your phone and send it over. The navigation system receives it and is ready to guide you when you start driving.

Navigation and Traffic Information

Audi Connect Plus includes real-time traffic data that updates as you drive. Your car receives current information about congestion, accidents, and road closures, and the navigation system can reroute you automatically or suggest a faster path. This is different from basic navigation, which shows you a route but does not update for live conditions.

The service also provides online search for points of interest — restaurants, gas stations, hotels — directly through your car's system. You can search by name or category, see ratings and hours, and send the location to your navigation. The data comes from online sources, so the information is more current than maps stored in your vehicle.

Emergency and Roadside Support Features

Audi Connect Plus includes an emergency call button in your vehicle. If you press it or if your car's airbags deploy in a crash, the system automatically connects you to an Audi emergency response center. The operator can hear you, see your vehicle's location, and dispatch help to you. This feature works even if your phone has no signal, because the car has its own modem.

The service also connects you to Audi roadside support. If you break down, you can press a button to reach roadside information without making a phone call. The operator knows your location and vehicle details when ready. Response time and what is covered depend on your specific subscription plan and your region.

How the Service Connection Works

Your Audi has a built-in modem that connects to cellular networks the same way your phone does. This modem is what allows the car to send and receive data for Audi Connect Plus features. In most cases, Audi includes a data plan with the modem for a set period — often three years — and then you pay a separate fee to continue service.

The modem and the Audi Connect Plus subscription are two separate things. You might have an active data connection but no Audi Connect Plus subscription, which means the car can receive software updates but you cannot use the remote features. Conversely, if your data plan expires, Audi Connect Plus features stop working even if you are still paying for the subscription.

You manage your subscription through the Audi website or the Audi smartphone app. You can see your subscription status, renewal date, and billing information there. If you want to cancel or change your plan, you do that through the same account.

Subscription Cost and Billing

Audi Connect Plus is not included in your vehicle purchase price. You pay a monthly or annual subscription fee, and the amount varies by your Audi model, model year, and country. Some regions offer different plan tiers with different features included.

When you buy a new Audi, the dealer usually includes a trial period of Audi Connect Plus — often three months to one year — so you can test the service. After the trial ends, you choose whether to continue paying for the subscription or let it lapse. If you let it lapse, you can restart it later by paying the current subscription rate.

The data connection itself may also have a cost separate from the Audi Connect Plus subscription. Audi typically includes a data plan for the first few years, then charges you to renew it. Check your Audi documentation or contact your dealer to understand what is included in your purchase and what you will pay later.

What You Need to Use It

You need an active Audi Connect Plus subscription and an active data plan in your vehicle. You also need the official Audi smartphone app, which is free to read on iOS and Android. The app is how you access most of the remote features.

Your smartphone needs internet access — either cellular data or Wi-Fi — to communicate with your car. The car itself uses its built-in modem, so it does not depend on your phone's connection. If your phone has no signal but your car does, the remote features still work.

Some features require that you set up a user account with Audi and link your vehicle to that account. You do this through the Audi website or app. If multiple people in your household use the car, each person can set up their own account and link the vehicle, though some features may be limited depending on your subscription plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Audi Connect Plus work if I do not have a phone signal?

The car's built-in modem has its own cellular connection, separate from your phone. Remote features work as long as the car has signal, even if your phone does not. Emergency calls and roadside support work the same way — the car connects directly without needing your phone.

Can I use Audi Connect Plus if I buy a used Audi?

Yes, but you need to set up a new account and link the vehicle to your name. The previous owner's subscription does not transfer. You can then purchase a new Audi Connect Plus subscription. Contact an Audi dealer or visit the Audi website to learn the current subscription price for your vehicle model.

What happens if my data plan expires but I still have an active subscription?

Audi Connect Plus features stop working because the car cannot send or receive data. You need to renew the data plan separately from the subscription. Check your Audi account to see when your data plan expires and renew it before it lapses.

Can I share my Audi Connect Plus subscription with family members?

Multiple people can link the same vehicle to their own Audi accounts and use the app. However, some features may be restricted depending on your subscription plan. Check your plan details or contact Audi to understand what each linked user can do.

Is Audi Connect Plus the same as standard Audi Connect?

No. Standard Audi Connect includes features like online search and traffic information but not remote vehicle control or emergency calling. Audi Connect Plus adds those features. Some vehicles come with standard Audi Connect built in, and you pay extra to upgrade to Plus.