Range Rover Sport - 2017 - really struggling with InControl

[IanLWarrington]

Hello all,

We've just bought a used Range R0ver Sport 2017 (3L Petrol - Supercharged ).

It's a great car - but, despite being relatively techie savvy, I'm really struggling to work out what functionality we can expect from the Incontrol system (such as maps etc).

I appreciate that this is 5 years old technology - but, the information on the Rover site is 'lacking' at best ,,, and, misleading at worst as regards compatibility.

I had to discover from the Apple site, for example, that the system is not compatible with CarPlay as it wasn't obvious from the Rover site - in fact, the opposite was true and I wasted a lot of time trying to connect.

Also, after connecting my iPhone 13 to the USB connection (and getting a very misleading messages on the phone re connectivity), I've since discovered that anything earlier than an iPhone 11 is not going to connect. (Which is, in itself, a bit disappointing - and surprising as I would have thought that a firmware or software update would sort it).

The 'Remote' app is also a bit flaky - managed to connect it initially (after having the system reset at the main dealer) ... but, since then, no updates re fuel/washer etc - although the Remote app 'seems' to show that it's connected.

All very frustrating.

The latest is that I was trying to check if I can get updates for the maps - attempted to log into the Range Rover site (following the links from the vehicle detail entered) ... and it just comes up with an error message when I try to create an account (as the registered account details do not seem to work!).

For info, the Remote app states that we have a PRO SERVICES account to 2025 (presume this was set when the previous owners account was reset by the dealer).

Don't get me wrong - the car is terrific - I just need to know if I am 'flogging a dead horse' as regards the InControl system - or do you guys have any advice as to how I can at least get some value from it.

(I have a SIM installed BTW and this seems to be working).

Many thanks for any advice (and apologies if this comes across as a bit of a moan - not meant to)!

;-)

Best regards

Ian

[SeanyD]

Similar story with my Velar. I'm technically very switched on, but the apps, sites, registering, logging in, is very hard work bordering on it just doesnt work.

Feels very much to me like they've had a technically savvy developer pulling the shots, with little consideration of user experience.

Likewise, car is otherwise fab, just the technology is not quite where it should be.

[IanLWarrington]

SeanyD said:

Similar story with my Velar. I'm technically very switched on, but the apps, sites, registering, logging in, is very hard work bordering on it just doesnt work.

Feels very much to me like they've had a technically savvy developer pulling the shots, with little consideration of user experience.

Likewise, car is otherwise fab, just the technology is not quite where it should be.

It's not just me then! Strangely, that's a bit reassuring. :-)

FWIW, I've 'installed' a Brodit phone holder to compensate for the lack of smartphone compatibility (the vent fitting and iPhone (Max) holder is pretty innocuous)).

My latest 'challenge' is to get the Remote working - I see (via Goggle) that this is another common issue - the car reports itself as going asleep! It worked on the day that it was reset ... still reporting the screen-wash reservoir as being empty - and, it's definitely not

I think this qualifies as a 'user hostile' API!

Still a great car though,

Thank you for the response ShaunyD

Ian

[mab1]

Which MY? I have a 2017 MY and use iPhone 11 & 13 with carplay via USB, it’s pretty reliable.

Incontrol app is occasionally temperamental but 9 times out of 10 remote start / lock / unlock works fine.

Not sure if that helps at all

[IanLWarrington]

mab1 said:

Which MY? I have a 2017 MY and use iPhone 11 & 13 with carplay via USB, it’s pretty reliable.

Incontrol app is occasionally temperamental but 9 times out of 10 remote start / lock / unlock works fine.

Not sure if that helps at all

That's interesting - it's a 2017 Range Rover Sport - I was wondering if there were different versions of the InControl system ... as I'd have expected to see many more instances of problems in the Internet - maybe I am doing something wrong.

I'll post couple of pictures of the screen (see if I can find a version).

Apple said that my car is definitely listed as 'not compatible with CarPlay' - interestingly, when I plugged in my iPhone 13Max, it flashed up a Range Rover logo - as if it was available (I'm thinking now though that it was the neighbours Range Rover!!!!).

My Apple iPhone 7 *will* link up (not CarPlay) ((Genius Maps showing on screen etc). iPhone 13 and 14 = no luck though (iPhone 7 CarPlay not listing car either).

Is there an aftermarket module/upgrade available?

(Suspect it will be eye wateringly expensive if it's RR).

:-)

Many thanks for the response - very much appreciated.

Ian

[mab1]

Carplay was introduced at MY17 so if your screen looks like the bottom one, you should have it and it might just be a case of getting a sw update done.

If your screen looks like the top it’s an earlier MY, it won’t have carplay and you will have to go aftermarket.

[IanLWarrington]

mab1 said:

Carplay was introduced at MY17 so if your screen looks like the bottom one, you should have it and it might just be a case of getting a sw update done.

If your screen looks like the top it’s an earlier MY, it won’t have carplay and you will have to go aftermarket.

Thank you for taking the trouble to post this - it's very good of you.

It definitely looks like the second of the two as regards the icons along the bottom (see below) - which provides me with some hope. I'll give the dealer a call in the morning to see if I can book it in for a software update. (They were kind enough to reset (for free!) the Account for me (as the VIN was locked to the previous owner ... I guess I had just assumed that they would have updated to the latest version at the time)).

Sharing a bit of another experiment ... I had the Thinkware U1000 dashcam installed. This ,allegedly, can be accessed remotely over the Thinkware Cloud. I managed to connect to the Range Rover Hotspot (a bit 'faffy') - but, looks like it turns off when the car is stationery (makes sense ... but, no good if I want to check on the car if parked up away from home - which is the idea).

Have ordered a cheapo MiFi (can't find my old one) and will be experimenting with that. If it works, I'll post some pictures.

Thank you again guys for the great advice,

Ian

[mab1]

No problem. What I can definately say is that my UI looks different to yours, so my money is on software.

I think you can update the SW over the air without a dealer visit - so this link might help.

https://www.landrover.com/ownership/software-updat...

[IanLWarrington]

CheesecakeRunner said:

I had a 2017 Jaguar with InControl Pro - but it’s the same as in the Land Rovers.

That screen is a very old version of the software. Newer versions would look like this…colours are configurable…



Apple CarPlay was added as a software update during late 2017/2018 and the cars needed a dealer software update to get it, which also enabled over-the-air software updates. Yours looks like it’s never been updated by the previous owner, which isn’t at all unusual. Most people don’t realise they can be updated, and dealers don’t push it because it’s a bit of a pain in the arse to do.

Many thanks for this - all very promising - I was onto the local dealer last evening and they've suggested I call their 'genius team' - fingers crossed.

:-)

[IanLWarrington]

CheesecakeRunner said:

I had a 2017 Jaguar with InControl Pro - but it’s the same as in the Land Rovers.

That screen is a very old version of the software. Newer versions would look like this…colours are configurable…



Apple CarPlay was added as a software update during late 2017/2018 and the cars needed a dealer software update to get it, which also enabled over-the-air software updates. Yours looks like it’s never been updated by the previous owner, which isn’t at all unusual. Most people don’t realise they can be updated, and dealers don’t push it because it’s a bit of a pain in the arse to do.

Thank you for the brilliant information - I shall continue to press on. :-)

Best wishes,

Ian

[megenzo]

I have similar but different Incontrol issues. Ive a 2018MY FF but I cant get a SIM to work. I have tried two SIMs from 3 and know one of them works in other devices, and a Giffgaff one but the car says all are not supported.


I can connect the car via my phone and have updated the infotainment software but the car updates are a wok in progress. Annoyingly, I cant access my Incontrol account via the car (woks fine on my phone) so I cant have live updates on maps/traffic.

Ive tried contacting LR support but not had a reply.

[IanLWarrington]

Are you sure your are putting the SIM in correctly. Even though I thought I was, I checked the instructions again - and I was not. In mine (and I think this is common), the end with the notch is uppermost (the un-notched end in first (that seemed counter-intuitive to me). The ‘chip’ faces the front of the car.

If it’s fully in (flush), that’s a sign it’s OK. I’ve got a GIFFGAFF SIM in mine and it works fine (as a HotSpot) - but, can’t connect to Remote.

If it’s in right, then sounds like a faulty slot (ooh errr!)

Best of luck,

Ian

[IanLWarrington]

IanLWarrington said:

Thank you for taking the trouble to post this - it's very good of you.

It definitely looks like the second of the two as regards the icons along the bottom (see below) - which provides me with some hope. I'll give the dealer a call in the morning to see if I can book it in for a software update. (They were kind enough to reset (for free!) the Account for me (as the VIN was locked to the previous owner ... I guess I had just assumed that they would have updated to the latest version at the time)).

Sharing a bit of another experiment ... I had the Thinkware U1000 dashcam installed. This ,allegedly, can be accessed remotely over the Thinkware Cloud. I managed to connect to the Range Rover Hotspot (a bit 'faffy') - but, looks like it turns off when the car is stationery (makes sense ... but, no good if I want to check on the car if parked up away from home - which is the idea).

Have ordered a cheapo MiFi (can't find my old one) and will be experimenting with that. If it works, I'll post some pictures.

Thank you again guys for the great advice,

Ian

Bit of an update re dashcam - after some experimentation, managed to remotely access the camera (front and rear) and watch a live feed! Used a separate MiFi hotspot (works on the Range Rover Hotspot - but that goes to sleep when the car is off and the idea is to be able to see what's happening around the car if it's parked up).

I need to do a bit of analysis now to see what the data demand is though - using a GiffGaff PAYG (not a GoodyBag) and costs may be prohibitive.

Impressed though and, as you see, remote app allows for front and back viewing (streaming was acceptable quality (particularly good as GiffGaff is piggybacking on the O2 network).

Let me know if you'd like any more detail (not exactly 'on topic' for this forum!).

Here are a few screens shots from the iPhone video stream.

[megenzo]

IanLWarrington said:

Are you sure your are putting the SIM in correctly. Even though I thought I was, I checked the instructions again - and I was not. In mine (and I think this is common), the end with the notch is uppermost (the un-notched end in first (that seemed counter-intuitive to me). The ‘chip’ faces the front of the car.

If it’s fully in (flush), that’s a sign it’s OK. I’ve got a GIFFGAFF SIM in mine and it works fine (as a HotSpot) - but, can’t connect to Remote.

If it’s in right, then sounds like a faulty slot (ooh errr!)

Best of luck,

Ian

yeah it is in correctly and as you describe ( tried in it other ways too). I managed to get in touch with someone a LR Support and it seems that my car reg isn't recognised (I did have a personalised plate put on shortly after buying it so that may have confused matters. They are looking into it so may be worth contacting them

This is the address I had a reply on [e-mail]

but I believe this is another you may have joy with (and it is spelled correctly with a t missing

[e-mail]