Android auto retrofit with just PnP device?

[rottmore]

I'm going to have to agree with the other reviewers. That streaming latency looks very laggy. Would rather spend the extra and upgrade the head unit.

Sponsored

 

[mack73]

I'm going to have to agree with the other reviewers. That streaming latency looks very laggy. Would rather spend the extra and upgrade the head unit.

Does someone have a video of what the wireless AA experience looks like with an upgraded head unit?

 

[mack73]

I appreciate you trying out new solutions and sharing your reviews about them, it definitely helps others when trying to decide which route to go. It seems like you're satisfied with the result, and that's what matters.

BUT, your comparison against a "$500 MMI unit" is incorrect. You can find an MMI unit from AliExpress for $170 that's identical to the $500 Bimmertech one, and the steering controls work fine in AA for me. The scroll wheel on the steering wheel works just fine within AA, and the volume buttons work too. The install is pretty straightforward (there's even a step by step video on Youtube) and takes 1-2 hrs. You're right that the touchscreen doesn't work, but I prefer using the iDrive knob over reaching up to the screen anyways.

Good to know. I'm glad there are solutions for everyone's requirements. For me the touchscreen was required, my wife's Audi has no touchscreen but knob and steering wheel input only, it's painful to use every time. I wasn't going to accept a solution without it.

 

[Ecom]

Gotta have the touchscreen, full stop.

 

[KillerhydroCL]

Never did from day 1 had the older gen idrive system

Yeah Its very "you had one job" behavior

 

[Apollo]

How'd you get the box to work? @mack73 I connected it via USB to the car but when I try to add a new device (carplay or phone) it just sits there lol. Nothing happens when trying to add a new phone or CarPlay device

 

[mack73]

How'd you get the box to work? @mack73 I connected it via USB to the car but when I try to add a new device (carplay or phone) it just sits there lol. Nothing happens when trying to add a new phone or CarPlay device

Going off memory as I'm away from the car but basic steps are

1. Unpair/delete your phone from the head unit
2. Make sure your phone isn't connected to anything Bluetooth
3. Plug the box into car and wait 2 mins
4. Go into communication, then add device, select Carplay
5. Wait. Eventually a pair screen will appear on the head unit. Ignore the pin stuff and just select pair. For me the device was named BM plus some random numbers.
6. Wait 2 mins
7. On your phone, now connect Bluetooth to the box. Mine was named 'BM', don't connect it to the one with the random numbers if you see it, that is the connection between box and car, you are now connecting phone to box.
8. When pairing is complete, the car needs a reboot. So press and hold the volume knob if car isn't running or turn car off.
9. Wait the 5 mins or whatever until car shuts down entirely (led light will be off on box when powered down)
10. You should be done. Turn car back on. Wait for a couple mins, you should see Carplay startup on the car then boot into the box interface. You should see the Android Auto notification stuff appearing on your phone.
11. From the box interface, launch the Android Auto app, and you should be in business

 

[Apollo]

Going off memory as I'm away from the car but basic steps are

1. Unpair/delete your phone from the head unit
2. Make sure your phone isn't connected to anything Bluetooth
3. Plug the box into car and wait 2 mins
4. Go into communication, then add device, select Carplay
5. Wait. Eventually a pair screen will appear on the head unit. Ignore the pin stuff and just select pair. For me the device was named BM plus some random numbers.
6. Wait 2 mins
7. On your phone, now connect Bluetooth to the box. Mine was named 'BM', don't connect it to the one with the random numbers if you see it, that is the connection between box and car, you are now connecting phone to box.
8. When pairing is complete, the car needs a reboot. So press and hold the volume knob if car isn't running or turn car off.
9. Wait the 5 mins or whatever until car shuts down entirely (led light will be off on box when powered down)
10. You should be done. Turn car back on. Wait for a couple mins, you should see Carplay startup on the car then boot into the box interface. You should see the Android Auto notification stuff appearing on your phone.
11. From the box interface, launch the Android Auto app, and you should be in business

Going off memory as I'm away from the car but basic steps are

1. Unpair/delete your phone from the head unit
2. Make sure your phone isn't connected to anything Bluetooth
3. Plug the box into car and wait 2 mins
4. Go into communication, then add device, select Carplay
5. Wait. Eventually a pair screen will appear on the head unit. Ignore the pin stuff and just select pair. For me the device was named BM plus some random numbers.
6. Wait 2 mins
7. On your phone, now connect Bluetooth to the box. Mine was named 'BM', don't connect it to the one with the random numbers if you see it, that is the connection between box and car, you are now connecting phone to box.
8. When pairing is complete, the car needs a reboot. So press and hold the volume knob if car isn't running or turn car off.
9. Wait the 5 mins or whatever until car shuts down entirely (led light will be off on box when powered down)
10. You should be done. Turn car back on. Wait for a couple mins, you should see Carplay startup on the car then boot into the box interface. You should see the Android Auto notification stuff appearing on your phone.
11. From the box interface, launch the Android Auto app, and you should be in business

Yeah looks like I followed it. Step #5 is what I'm stuck at, after clicking CarPlay on add new device screen, nothing happens after waiting

 

[ChrisRay]

Mine took like a solid 10 minutes.... I actually was like well this thing doesn't work I'm going to not do it and unplug it and then all of a sudden it popped up on my phone and it's been working ever since but it still fails at times...

 

[Apollo]

Crazy cause mine never popped up. I plugged that shit in and went for a whole ass 30 min drive
Will try again today!

 

[ChrisRay]

I had to delete my phones off the car. Plug it in. Go into the car menu to add a mobile device with car play, saw it after 10 minutes on my phone Bluetooth, apple pie I think....then click on apple pie on my phone Bluetooth, then the Supra popped up....super complicated but it worked

Sponsored