SM Apple CarPlay / Android Auto

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
I bought Stindig's car recently with this kit installed but an iPhone lead in centre armrest.

As an Android user have put connector/adapter on the lead but although it's charging the phone cannot seem to get the system to recognise the phone. Also clock on the interface is 8 hours out and guessing it would synchronise with the phone so cannot change it at this time.

Any suggestions from anyone - not about to tackle taking the thing apart myself.
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,733
I bought Stindig's car recently with this kit installed but an iPhone lead in centre armrest.

As an Android user have put connector/adapter on the lead but although it's charging the phone cannot seem to get the system to recognise the phone. Also clock on the interface is 8 hours out and guessing it would synchronise with the phone so cannot change it at this time.

Any suggestions from anyone - not about to tackle taking the thing apart myself.

I suppose there's a good chance the system doesn't like the adaptor on the end of the cable. If not, you might have to fit a type C android cable depending on your phone. Where abouts are you? If your anywhere near Cambridgesire/Norfolk I don't mind changing it for you as I've just fitted my system a few days ago and use Android. It should just be a matter of dropping your glove box and taking off the centre consol to replace it.

I assume you have you installed android auto on your phone?
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
I suppose there's a good chance the system doesn't like the adaptor on the end of the cable. If not, you might have to fit a type C android cable depending on your phone. Where abouts are you? If your anywhere near Cambridgesire/Norfolk I don't mind changing it for you as I've just fitted my system a few days ago and use Android. It should just be a matter of dropping your glove box and taking off the centre consol to replace it.

I assume you have you installed android auto on your phone?

Are you happy with the results Sam - are you going to become an approved installer for the East of England area?!
No doubt it is a big improvement over the OEM and I hope your efforts were all worthwhile
 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
I suppose there's a good chance the system doesn't like the adaptor on the end of the cable. If not, you might have to fit a type C android cable depending on your phone. Where abouts are you? If your anywhere near Cambridgesire/Norfolk I don't mind changing it for you as I've just fitted my system a few days ago and use Android. It should just be a matter of dropping your glove box and taking off the centre consol to replace it.

I assume you have you installed android auto on your phone?
Sam

Thanks for the offer. Sadly I'm nowhere near you down in Portsmouth. Yes I have Android Auto on the phone so that's covered.

Will have to get someone to have a look.
 

BillyBob

Member
Messages
107
I bought Stindig's car recently with this kit installed but an iPhone lead in centre armrest.

As an Android user have put connector/adapter on the lead but although it's charging the phone cannot seem to get the system to recognise the phone. Also clock on the interface is 8 hours out and guessing it would synchronise with the phone so cannot change it at this time.

Any suggestions from anyone - not about to tackle taking the thing apart myself.

Depending on who installed it, it could be quite easy to change the cable. All you SHOULD need to do is remove the piece of trim that joins the armrest to the centre console at the bottom on the passenger side (not the best description in the world). This trim is just held on with a couple of poppers at the bottom - pull these outwards and then slide it down. This should expose the cable, which you should then be able to follow upwards and locate the unit it plugs into. Swapping the cable should then be a doddle.

Before trying that - have you played around with the sequence of powering up / plugging in. I find that it only works reliably if I plug my phone in after I've turned the ignition on.
 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
Depending on who installed it, it could be quite easy to change the cable. All you SHOULD need to do is remove the piece of trim that joins the armrest to the centre console at the bottom on the passenger side (not the best description in the world). This trim is just held on with a couple of poppers at the bottom - pull these outwards and then slide it down. This should expose the cable, which you should then be able to follow upwards and locate the unit it plugs into. Swapping the cable should then be a doddle.

Before trying that - have you played around with the sequence of powering up / plugging in. I find that it only works reliably if I plug my phone in after I've turned the ignition on.
Thanks. Will have a look.
 

Caymanspyder

New Member
Messages
2
Hello all, I am not hijacking this thread but back in October I created a video series and installed the new AuCar 9" Android head unit with Apple CarPlay. After 2 group buys we have purchased 60+ units. Just to be clear this Replaces the stock head unit, you do not need to retain the old unit, this has all the functionality as the OEM head unit. I just updated a demo video, I did forget to demostrate the reverse cam and front cam. I have a USB dash cam, Front cam in grille, and reverse cam installed all DIY. I show step by step in my videos.
Hope you enjoy this, Just another option, best $1100 I have ever spent on my car, brings the car up to day with the 9" screen, It is available in black/silver, Piano black, real carbon fiber. LHD and RHD available.


Robin Elliott
 
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DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
Ok all sorted.

Removed trim/carpet as suggested and replaced Apple cable with USB C. All working as long as you connect phone AFTER firing up.

Thanks to those who helped with suggestions above.
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,733
Are you happy with the results Sam - are you going to become an approved installer for the East of England area?!
No doubt it is a big improvement over the OEM and I hope your efforts were all worthwhile

Its made a massive difference Stuart and I'm very please I went this route.
My old routine of connecting my phone to a Bluetooth-fm transmitter for music streaming, google maps, and speed camera app notifications and then Bluetooth to the car for phone calls, was a little frustrating. Also the connections used to regularly drop, and on re-connecting used to make really annoying noises to let you know its reconnected.
Also, having to occasionally look and interact with the phone screen while driving, I was not a fan of at all!

Now I get in the car and plug the phone in, and all the above auto launches on Android Auto. The voice commands work pretty well (although I've not 'trained' it at all yet) and when I do have to physically interact with it, its on the much larger screen on the dash which is less distracting.
I still have to run the speed Camera app on the phone as its not supported by android auto, but that auto launches when connected to the cars Bluetooth and the audio alerts come through the car system, so work well.
The reverse Camera is a bonus too. I've never had a problem before, but it does allow you to double check for anything that the you and the sensors might have missed.

As others have said, its not perfect (eg. the screen sensitivity, but its fine 90% of the time and the new ones will be better) but its SO much better than before. I would struggle to justify double the cost for other similar options over this one.

I still need to spend a bit more time playing with it, and I'd like to connect it to my Bluetooth OBD2 dongle so I can run "Torque pro" on the screen and all the fun that brings :).

I'm certainly not planning on being an approved installer lol, but having now done it once and learned some lessons on the way, it'll be a lot easier next time. I'd happily help a fellow member out doing it, especially if it meant a ride in an MC trofeo ;)
 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
Was working when I got the correct cable now playing up. Works fine for periods varying from 10 mins to 30 seconds after starting up (ignition on then connect phone)then freezes. Music stops as does Waze which I am running.

Get message "Autotek" has stopped. Click "wait" - nothing happens so have to close app. Need to wait 5 mins after turning car off and rebooting.

Looked on Google Play for the "Autotek" app and tempted to delete and reinstall

Anyone had this issue and any thoughts on a resolution?
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,733
Autotek is the app that runs the usb dongle that allows you to run Android auto/carplay. Might be worth doing what you said and uninstalling.
When I was fitting mine I couldn't find the App on google play, but followed the address on the dongle box and it worked fine.
Do you have the box from the dongle?
If not, I can dig mine out the loft tomorrow and let you know the download address.
 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
Autotek is the app that runs the usb dongle that allows you to run Android auto/carplay. Might be worth doing what you said and uninstalling.
When I was fitting mine I couldn't find the App on google play, but followed the address on the dongle box and it worked fine.
Do you have the box from the dongle?
If not, I can dig mine out the loft tomorrow and let you know the download address.
Sam.
I don't have the dongle box so that would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 

stindig

Member
Messages
446
Dave. It’s definitely the dongle. It used to crash on me after 10-30 mins. I unplugged the dongle, swapped it for a dead one (who knew) and then swapped it back again. It then worked fine for a short period before I sold it. Try a new dongle - I’m sure Matt can provide one
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,582
For those whom have run into the same problem that I have just had, where there is no Aux input in the glovebox, this can be overcome by getting an inline FM Modulator. It does not broadcast on a frequency, it sits in the aerial cable and cuts any other aerial pickup, you will also need RCA male to male left and right cables to connect it the the Android box. I have not fitted it yet but Paul at Prestige says it will work in a previous post. Still not update on shipping of the new batch, sorry.

 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
Dave. It’s definitely the dongle. It used to crash on me after 10-30 mins. I unplugged the dongle, swapped it for a dead one (who knew) and then swapped it back again. It then worked fine for a short period before I sold it. Try a new dongle - I’m sure Matt can provide one
Have pulled and reinserted dongle and it worked for a while before this lockdown.

Will swap for a new one if it goes south again when I start using it again.

Cheers