BYD Dolphin Infotainment Screen: Complete Owner Guide
The BYD Dolphin's central touchscreen is the hub for climate, media, navigation, and vehicle settings. It can switch between landscape and portrait orientation using the Screen mode button on the steering wheel, and the owner's manual recommends using landscape while driving. The screen supports Bluetooth and USB for phones. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not documented in the manual, so check availability for your market.
BYD Dolphin Touchscreen at a Glance
| Measurement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Switches between landscape and portrait |
| Rotate control | Screen mode button on the steering wheel |
| While driving | Landscape recommended for safety |
| Phone connection | Bluetooth and USB (per the manual) |
| Restart the system | Hold the scroll button for 3 seconds |
| Settings location | Settings icon, then Vehicle Settings |
Meet the Touchscreen
The central touchscreen is the command centre of the Dolphin. Almost everything, from the air conditioning to the drive settings, is controlled here, so getting to know it pays off.
When you switch the car on, an initial screen appears for a few seconds while the system starts. For full functionality, such as apps and internet calls, the system needs a network connection, much like a smartphone.
The Rotating Screen: Landscape and Portrait
Here is a feature worth knowing about, and one that some online guides get wrong. The Dolphin's touchscreen can switch orientation between landscape and portrait, and this is documented in the owner's manual.
The control is the Screen mode button on the steering wheel. Press it and the display switches between the two orientations, letting you choose the layout that suits what you are doing.
- Landscape: A wide layout, and the one the manual recommends using while driving for safety
- Portrait: A tall layout, handy for navigation where you want to see more of the road ahead
- The control: The Screen mode button on the steering wheel switches between them
So if you have read that the Dolphin's screen does not rotate, that is not accurate for cars covered by this manual. It does, and the steering wheel button is how you do it.
The Scroll Button
Beside the screen is a scroll button that handles a few essential functions quickly.
- Mute and unmute: Press it to turn the audio off, and again to turn it back on
- Restart the system: Press and hold for three seconds to restart the infotainment system, useful if it becomes unresponsive
- Adjust volume: Scroll up or down to change the volume
That three-second restart is worth remembering, as it is the quickest fix for a glitchy screen.
The Menu Map
The Dolphin's menus are logically arranged once you know the structure. Most settings sit together in one place.
From the home screen, tapping the settings icon opens Vehicle Settings, which branches into submenus for different areas of the car. The general path looks like this: settings icon, then Vehicle Settings, then the submenu you need.
- Locks: Door locking behaviour and NFC options
- Energy Manager: Regenerative braking intensity and energy settings
- External Mirrors: Mirror folding and adjustment
- Notification: Sounds, including the pedestrian alert tone
- System Settings: Network, software, and update options
Settings Walkthrough
Here is where to find the settings owners adjust most often, all reached through Vehicle Settings.
- Regenerative braking: Vehicle Settings, then Energy Manager, to set how strongly the car slows when you lift off
- Locks and NFC: Vehicle Settings, then Locks, to manage door locking and the NFC key card
- Mirror folding: Vehicle Settings, then External Mirrors, to enable automatic folding
- Alert sounds: Vehicle Settings, then Notification, to choose the low-speed pedestrian sound
- Software and network: Vehicle Settings, then System Settings, for connection and update options
The exact menu layout can vary slightly by software version, but this structure will guide you to almost everything.
Connecting Your Phone
Phone connection is where accuracy matters, so here is exactly what the manual documents. The Dolphin's system supports Bluetooth and USB.
- Bluetooth: For hands-free calls and wireless music streaming
- USB: For music playback and charging
- CarPlay and Android Auto: These are not documented in the owner's manual, so if you need them, verify availability for your specific market and software before buying
Bluetooth covers the essentials of calls and audio for most owners, and pairing is done through the touchscreen.
Caring for Your Screen
A little care keeps the touchscreen looking and working its best, and the manual offers clear guidance.
- Touch gently: If there is no response, lift your finger and touch again rather than pressing hard
- Clean carefully: Use a soft, damp cloth only, with no cleaning products
- Consider a protector: A quality screen protector guards against scratches and fingerprints
- Cold starts: The screen may look darker or run slightly slower when very cold, which is normal
- Sunglasses: Polarised sunglasses can make the screen hard to see, so change your angle if needed
Infotainment Across the BYD Range
BYD's infotainment shares a family resemblance across models. If you own or are comparing more than one, these guides help.
- Our Atto 3 infotainment guide covers the SUV's system
- Our guide to mastering the Atto 3's rotating touchscreen goes deeper on the rotation feature the two share
You Should know
- Believing the screen cannot rotate: It switches between landscape and portrait via the Screen mode button
- Using portrait while driving: The manual recommends landscape on the move for safety
- Assuming CarPlay is built in: It is not documented in the manual, so verify for your market
- Pressing the screen hard: Touch gently and retry if it does not respond
- Cleaning with products: Use only a soft damp cloth to avoid damage
- Forgetting the restart trick: Hold the scroll button for three seconds to restart a glitchy system