What is Porsche Privacy Mode and what’s it used for?

When activated, Privacy Mode disables all data transmissions to and from your vehicle except those that are legally required or necessary for operation, such as eCall (emergency call). With Privacy Mode active, you cannot use any Connect services, including accessing your vehicle via the My Porsche app.

This article applies to:

718 model years 2016-2025

911 model years 2017 – present

Cayenne model years 2016-2024

Cayenne Electric model years 2026 - present

Macan model years 2016 - 2026

Macan Electric model years 2024 – present

Panamera model years 2016 - present

Taycan model years 2020 - present

What is the model year of my Porsche?

How does Privacy Mode work in my car?

To use Connect Services and access vehicle controls via the My Porsche app, you must deactivate Privacy Mode in your car’s Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system.

Deactivating Privacy Mode activates a cellular data connection, enabling all Porsche Connect services, including live traffic information, audio and video streaming, remote access (locking and unlocking) and software updates.

With Privacy Mode activated, no connection is established between the My Porsche app and the car, but security features for theft protection or accident notification remain active.

How can I activate or deactivate privacy mode?

Here’s how you can activate or deactivate privacy mode in your car’s Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system.

Please note, there may be slight differences in how the steps below are named depending on the software version in your car.

To find out your model year, see the article What is the model year of my Porsche?

718

Model years 2016-2025

Here’s how to set privacy mode in your car’s instrument cluster:

Select Vehicle.

Select Settings.

Select Car Connect.

Select Privacy to activate or deactivate.

911

From Model year 2025

Tap Settings

Tap Privacy and Porsche Connect

Tap Privacy Mode

Select active or inactive

Model years 2022-2024

Tap Settings

Tap Porsche Connect Settings

Tap Privacy Mode

Select active or inactive

Model years 2020-2021

Select Settings

Set Porsche Connect

Click Private Mode/Privacy Mode

Model years 2017-2019

Here’s how to activate and deactivate privacy mode in your car’s instrument cluster:

Select Vehicle.

Select Settings.

Select Car Connect.

Select Privacy to activate or deactivate

Taycan

From Model year 2025

Tap Settings

Tap Privacy and Porsche Connect

Tap Privacy Mode

Select active or inactive

Model years 2020-2024

Tap Settings

Tap Porsche Connect Settings

Tap Privacy Mode/Private Mode

Select active or inactive

Tip: When privacy mode is activated, a ‘protective shield’ symbol will appear on the right-hand side of the PCM screen. Clicking on this symbol will take you to the settings where you can deactivate privacy mode.

Panamera

From Model years 2022-2025

Tap Settings

Tap Privacy and Porsche Connect settings

Tap Privacy Mode

Select active or inactive

Model years 2018-2021

Select Car

Select Control

Select Vehicle (Vehicle settings)

Select Porsche Car Connect App

Model year 2017

Select Vehicle

Select Porsche Car Connect App

Model year 2016

Select Vehicle

Select Settings

Select Car Connect

Choose Privacy

Confirm your selection

Macan

Model years 2019-2026

Here’s how to activate and deactivate privacy mode in your car’s PCM:

Tap Set.

Tap Porsche Connect.

Select Privacy mode to activate or deactivate.

Model years 2016-2018

Here’s how to activate and deactivate privacy mode in your car’s instrument cluster:

Select Vehicle.

Select Settings.

Select Car Connect.

Select Privacy to activate or deactivate.

Macan Electric

From model year 2026

Here’s how to activate and deactivate Connect services (also sometimes referred to as ‘privacy mode’) in your car’s PCM:

Tap Settings.

Tap Data Privacy.

Tap Privacy settings.

Select Connect services to activate or deactivate.

Model years 2024-2025

Here’s how to activate and deactivate Connect services (also sometimes referred to as ‘privacy mode’) in your car’s PCM:

Tap Settings.

Tap Privacy settings.

Select Connect services to activate or deactivate.

Tip: When privacy mode is activated, a ‘protective shield’ symbol will appear in the top right-hand corner of the PCM screen. Clicking on this symbol will take you to the settings where you can turn on the Connect services, i.e., deactivate privacy mode.

Cayenne

From model year 2025

Here’s how to activate and deactivate Connect services (also sometimes referred to as ‘privacy mode’) in your car’s PCM:

Tap Settings.

Tap Privacy and Porsche Connect.

Tap Connect services.

Select active or inactive.

Note: Applicable to latest software version

Model years 2022-2024

Here’s how to activate and deactivate privacy mode in your car’s PCM:

Tap Settings.

Tap Privacy and Porsche Connect settings.

Tap Privacy mode.

Select active or inactive.

Model years 2019-2021

Here’s how to activate and deactivate privacy mode in your car’s PCM:

Tap Set.

Tap Porsche Connect.

Select Privacy mode to activate or deactivate.

Model years 2015-2018

Here’s how to activate and deactivate privacy mode in your car’s instrument cluster:

Select Vehicle.

Select Settings.

Select Car Connect.

Select Privacy to activate or deactivate.

Cayenne Electric

From model year 2026

Here’s how to activate and deactivate Connect services (also sometimes referred to as ‘privacy mode’) in your car’s PCM:

Tap Settings.

Tap Data Privacy.

Tap Privacy Settings.

Select Connect services to activate or deactivate.

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