Install: Ordered a Wireless Apple CarPlay Retro Kit for B8.5 A4

[awdconnor]

Im really trying to convince myself that upgrading to Car play is worth it.

Im worried about small things like music quality and reliability on the unit.

I currently have the 3G MMI High W/Nav and use either an old iPod i have laying around, or a 30 pin to lighting and a certified lightning extension cord routed to the glove box. However, iOS 13 doesnt support the audi anymore so im stuck with the iPod.

For those who have it, Is it worth it, What are some of the main bugs and "qwerks" you experience, if any.

[alnoor15]

Im really trying to convince myself that upgrading to Car play is worth it.

Im worried about small things like music quality and reliability on the unit.

I currently have the 3G MMI High W/Nav and use either an old iPod i have laying around, or a 30 pin to lighting and a certified lightning extension cord routed to the glove box. However, iOS 13 doesnt support the audi anymore so im stuck with the iPod.

For those who have it, Is it worth it, What are some of the main bugs and "qwerks" you experience, if any.

I think overall, this unit is definitely pretty solid but when it comes down to the price, it is a bit too high. Audio quality and connectivity is all pretty solid, and I love having waze or google maps on the screen, finally looks more tech than the basic premium version. If you have the money, then sure thing go for it!

[vincent_nguyen2]

For those who have it, Is it worth it, What are some of the main bugs and "qwerks" you experience, if any.

So my setup is Audi Concert with AMI and I’m connecting with my XR.

Sound Quality: The sound is on par or a slight notch under audio with a wired connection, but I believe that’s due to digital (Bluetooth) vs analog (wired) quality and it not being top of the line quality.

Quirks: When listening to the music I have downloaded onto Apple Music, sometimes the album artwork doesn’t load in the background. There is a slight delay when choosing/changing songs in the beginning that cuts like the first 1 second. The touchscreen isn’t top of the line either, but that should be expected since it’s an overlay that we install ourselves. I haven’t had any disconnection issues or glitches yet and I’ve noticed that if you’re around the car for a bit before you turn it on, it connects quicker/more immediate.

But before I had carplay, I wrapped a 1 meter long AMI to 3.5mm AUX jack behind the glovebox and through the bottom of the climate control which connected to a lightning and aux splitter (search Belkin Rockstar). To do this, you gotta have AMI and not mind a little drilling though

[vincent_nguyen2]

If you have the money, then sure thing go for it!

He got air suspension and work wheels, he’s gotta have some lol

[StLght3]

I’d suggest trying to live chat them! I’ve found that to be way faster than email. They are in UK, so chat I usually see them online in the morning until about 10am CST/11am ET. Good luck!!

I forwarded the email to the sales team and got a response within minutes (this was at 2pm CT) so pretty late in the day for them. They are sending me a replacement overlay! Amazing service from them all around.

[alnoor15]

So my setup is Audi Concert with AMI and I’m connecting with my XR.

Sound Quality: The sound is on par or a slight notch under audio with a wired connection, but I believe that’s due to digital (Bluetooth) vs analog (wired) quality and it not being top of the line quality.

Quirks: When listening to the music I have downloaded onto Apple Music, sometimes the album artwork doesn’t load in the background. There is a slight delay when choosing/changing songs in the beginning that cuts like the first 1 second. The touchscreen isn’t top of the line either, but that should be expected since it’s an overlay that we install ourselves. I haven’t had any disconnection issues or glitches yet and I’ve noticed that if you’re around the car for a bit before you turn it on, it connects quicker/more immediate.

But before I had carplay, I wrapped a 1 meter long AMI to 3.5mm AUX jack behind the glovebox and through the bottom of the climate control which connected to a lightning and aux splitter (search Belkin Rockstar). To do this, you gotta have AMI and not mind a little drilling though

Yeah the one second delay before the song starts is a little annoying sometimes, I thought it was just me but I guess not!

[DasMonx]

Thank you @A4Landon!

this is exactly what I was looking for! Already chatting them up to get my kit for A5 B9.
also checked out that if my phone is connected to the car then it will use cars own microhpone for the phonecalls. if i'm only connected to the carplay box then it will use their microphone - so i will completely skip installation of the mic

unfortunately they dont have the reverse camera for my model but the box has video connectors for when it will be available!

[max8126]

Been watching this thread for a while. Seems like a pretty stable product. I'm debating between this and RSNav... I like the bigger screen from RSNav and the price but this seems a lot more mature. Feels like the APR vs IE decision all over again...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Audizine mobile app

[A4Landon]

I forwarded the email to the sales team and got a response within minutes (this was at 2pm CT) so pretty late in the day for them. They are sending me a replacement overlay! Amazing service from them all around.

That's awesome!! I hope the replacement works out better for you.

I've stated this before but I'll write it here again. I know I overpaid a little bit for this product from Unique AD, because you can find things almost identical from Chinese resellers. But I CHOSE to pay a little more because of the customer service I knew I'd get. Glad to hear they're standing behind their stuff!

[A4Landon]

Been watching this thread for a while. Seems like a pretty stable product. I'm debating between this and RSNav... I like the bigger screen from RSNav and the price but this seems a lot more mature. Feels like the APR vs IE decision all over again...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Audizine mobile app

Amen to that. There's a place for both, but depending on what's important to you, each product has its pros and cons. I wanted something that looked 100% stock, but gave me modern features when fired up. So this kit did the trick. RSNav offers a lot of things that this kit doesn't, but comes with some things I wasn't willing to take on (non-OEM physical appearance in the dash, reports of buggy-ness, some lag in customer service time and fixes/adapter availabilities/etc). Best of luck in your decision-making adventure; let us know what you wind up doing!

[maquino]

They put the unit on sale for Memorial Day even though it’s a UK company? How much did you pay at the time? Wondering if I should hold out for a sale. I figured it would be on sale if ever on UK sale dates which I have no clue when they would be

[Bbonz001]

They put the unit on sale for Memorial Day even though it’s a UK company? How much did you pay at the time? Wondering if I should hold out for a sale. I figured it would be on sale if ever on UK sale dates which I have no clue when they would be

Queens birthday my friend. 😄

[maquino]

Queens birthday my friend. 😄

Any other dates I should put on my calendar to look for it on sale?

[awdconnor]

He got air suspension and work wheels, he’s gotta have some lol

LOL. and stage 3 but its fine im fine

[maquino]

Wanted to warn you all that the joyeauto kit is total garbage. Do yourselves a favor and do NOT buy from them, you’ll just end up returning it.

[amanp786]

I was about to pull the trigger on RSNav Wireless Carplay which is on sale for $300 on their website, than I remembered some post on reddit about shitty sound quality if you install the wireless carplay on your B&O MMI 3G+ equipped cars. This is true? I am a huge audiophile and I want to hear what others have experienced when installing the wireless carplay.

[streamline]

Great writeup and vids. I also prefer this over RSNav for OEM look. I will have to reach out to them but guessing it should work with my original backup camera and my MMI knob will work on my MMI 2G?

[A4Landon]

Great writeup and vids. I also prefer this over RSNav for OEM look. I will have to reach out to them but guessing it should work with my original backup camera and my MMI knob will work on my MMI 2G?

Any time I've had a question like that, I just wait until their online chat is active (they are in the UK and looks like you're in PA, so kinda earlier in the morning for you, like 7-10am?) and they are super friendly and responsive. I've had this set-up for about 4 months now and have ZERO regrets. It's not a perfect system; I get some little glitches where the wireless carplay doesn't kick in 100% of the time, but in those few cases where that happens I just plug into the lightning cable and move on with my drive. My phone usually needs the extra charging time anyway :)

[Tim R.]

I just installed this same system on my 2010 A4PP and love it. The issue I am having is that the screen brightness is not consistent. Sometimes at night it switches to full bright which is super annoying. Too late to chat today but will try in the next day or two.

Also need to hook up the rear camera. Did you have to tap into the reverse lamp wire?

[andyzaharia]

Adding my 2c here since there might be more interest into these little boxes :)

I also ordered the Joyeauto unit and oh boy .... the unit works fine but it had an issue with the LCD backlight, the image will show up on the screen but the backlight will not turn on at the same time so it will just sit there for 5-40 seconds randomly with a dark screen and then it will turn on and work just fine.

I contacted the seller and what I can say, total disaster... When they heard my car was from late 2008 (European model) they just started to say that my car is not compatible and will just not bother with anything else, they told me its a "data synchronization issue", I had to laugh because clearly they dont know what they are talking about as long as the image is on the lcd and the backlight is not. I didnt bothered to mention that I have upgraded my CAN Gateway module and the Radio Concert unit from a 2011 model (retrofitted the AMI unit and side assist radars so I needed the Extended CAN), talking to their support is quite a waste of time.

When it works, the unit is perfectly fine, but paying +350$ and having it randomly turn on didnt felt like a good deal.

I would definitely go with the folks from UK as they clearly have better support.

[A4Landon]

I just installed this same system on my 2010 A4PP and love it. The issue I am having is that the screen brightness is not consistent. Sometimes at night it switches to full bright which is super annoying. Too late to chat today but will try in the next day or two.

Also need to hook up the rear camera. Did you have to tap into the reverse lamp wire?

Are you using a camera you got from Unique Auto Dev, or OEM? I used an aftermarket camera from Unique Auto Dev and didn't need to do anything with back-up wire. Just signal, power and ground. The Unique Auto Dev box already gets access to reverse info and sends down the reverse camera signal line if one is hooked up!

[A4Landon]

Adding my 2c here since there might be more interest into these little boxes :)

I also ordered the Joyeauto unit and oh boy .... the unit works fine but it had an issue with the LCD backlight, the image will show up on the screen but the backlight will not turn on at the same time so it will just sit there for 5-40 seconds randomly with a dark screen and then it will turn on and work just fine.

I contacted the seller and what I can say, total disaster... When they heard my car was from late 2008 (European model) they just started to say that my car is not compatible and will just not bother with anything else, they told me its a "data synchronization issue", I had to laugh because clearly they dont know what they are talking about as long as the image is on the lcd and the backlight is not. I didnt bothered to mention that I have upgraded my CAN Gateway module and the Radio Concert unit from a 2011 model (retrofitted the AMI unit and side assist radars so I needed the Extended CAN), talking to their support is quite a waste of time.

When it works, the unit is perfectly fine, but paying +350$ and having it randomly turn on didnt felt like a good deal.

I would definitely go with the folks from UK as they clearly have better support.

I have yet to hear a SINGLE success story from somebody who bought a kit from JOYEAUTO. Sorry to hear it :(

[andyzaharia]

Well, I got a Carlink unit and to my surprise, the image on the LCD screen looks way better than the one Joyeauto displayed, it looks like they render the image differently. So far the Carlink unit has been working great.

[streamline]

Well, I got a Carlink unit and to my surprise, the image on the LCD screen looks way better than the one Joyeauto displayed, it looks like they render the image differently. So far the Carlink unit has been working great.

Do you have a link to the carlink unit?

[andyzaharia]

This one, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303...31144c4d9OqtzM

Note, its for non MMI, they also have MMI versions.

[streamline]

I have MMI 2G High in my 2009, I talked to Unique and they said this one will work. https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/comi...igh-2005-2009/ It does not have touch overlay. @$665 was curious if there was a cheaper alternative?

[andyzaharia]

I think pretty much all MMI units dont have the touch overlay support. Its either because its not easy to implement or the quality of the image will decrease significantly when you add the foil over the LCD.

The carlink unit will be definitely cheaper but I bet you wont get the same level of support as you get from unique ad.

[streamline]

I cant even find the right unit Carlinkit kit for mine, no touch screens isnt a big deal either as long as rotory dial works

[Zen kun]

I was thinking of rsnav wireless car play/Android auto, basically the same box but cheaper, I have an Audi A3 (2016) mmi plus, so I'm looking the best option I checked unique Audio but it's quite expensive, rsnav it's 300usd , not sure if they are at the same quality , my first interest it's Android, what do you think about rsnav box (not the screen replacement) suggestions? Thank you
Ps, I have one year warranty (I bought from Audi but used) do you think this box might void my warranty? (Living in Germany)

[Tim R.]

Are you using a camera you got from Unique Auto Dev, or OEM? I used an aftermarket camera from Unique Auto Dev and didn't need to do anything with back-up wire. Just signal, power and ground. The Unique Auto Dev box already gets access to reverse info and sends down the reverse camera signal line if one is hooked up!

I bought the camera from Unique Auto. Still have not installed. They wanted me to send the unit back along with the loom cable to troubleshoot the brightness issue. They have no idea why my system is doing that and said they will send it back as is if they cannot reproduce the problem. Hopefully they figure it out. I have asked them what signal they are checking to determine brightness level and have gotten no answer. I assume it is something on the canbus for the auto headlights. They also thought it could be my phone but it does it without the phone connected. I switch the unit on and it gets brighter within 20 seconds. Happens every time day and night regardless of my headlight switch setting.

[vincent_nguyen2]

I bought the camera from Unique Auto. Still have not installed. They wanted me to send the unit back along with the loom cable to troubleshoot the brightness issue. They have no idea why my system is doing that and said they will send it back as is if they cannot reproduce the problem. Hopefully they figure it out. I have asked them what signal they are checking to determine brightness level and have gotten no answer. I assume it is something on the canbus for the auto headlights. They also thought it could be my phone but it does it without the phone connected. I switch the unit on and it gets brighter within 20 seconds. Happens every time day and night regardless of my headlight switch setting.

Ah I have the same issue. Really don’t wanna take out the whole system...

[Tim R.]

Ah I have the same issue. Really don’t wanna take out the whole system...

You should at least let them know. They think this is unique to my car. I had to send them a video to prove it was happening.

How do you use it at night? I find it ruins my night vision and have to turn the display off.

[vincent_nguyen2]

You should at least let them know. They think this is unique to my car. I had to send them a video to prove it was happening.

How do you use it at night? I find it ruins my night vision and have to turn the display off.

I just let it be. It does distract me a little bit, but everybody’s low beams act like high beams to me so I’ve gotten more used to it. I’ve been meaning to email them because I threw away the WiFi password and I guess the 4 digit passcode paper and been wanting to change those things

[alnoor15]

I have yet to hear a SINGLE success story from somebody who bought a kit from JOYEAUTO. Sorry to hear it :(

A4Landon I am gonna address this problem I have with the kit since I know you were one of the first ones to install it.

Few days ago my carplay and back up camera are not working. Friday is was working perfectly fine, and the next day it just doesn't show up. When changing into reverse, the backup camera does not show in the screen.

Regarding carplay, on the dashboard it shows that an external audio device is connected, it shows my phone is connected, and on the MMI screen it shows "External Audio Source Active". However, the carplay does not come in at all. i was thinking it may be a wire issue or something but what can cause this change?

[A4Landon]

A4Landon I am gonna address this problem I have with the kit since I know you were one of the first ones to install it.

Few days ago my carplay and back up camera are not working. Friday is was working perfectly fine, and the next day it just doesn't show up. When changing into reverse, the backup camera does not show in the screen.

Regarding carplay, on the dashboard it shows that an external audio device is connected, it shows my phone is connected, and on the MMI screen it shows "External Audio Source Active". However, the carplay does not come in at all. i was thinking it may be a wire issue or something but what can cause this change?

Does the Carplay user interface even appear on your screen at all? Even when wired in?

The troubleshooting steps I would probably follow would be:

1. Test the carplay audio. I would do this wired-in. So plug in the phone to the usb-lightning cable, listen for the carplay relay to 'click' signifying it tried to start sending signal to the MMI display. If your dash shows that an external device is connected and you're on the MEDIA setting for the MMI (as opposed to FM/AM or some other source), you should be able to hear the audio even if your display isn't changing. Using your phone, play some music. If you can hear the audio through your car stereo, but cannot see anything on the screen, it sounds like the connection between the carplay box and the display has been interrupted. This would also explain why the back-up camera isn't displaying on the screen, either. So I'd check that wiring connection from the MMI display to the carplay box.

2. If the carplay audio is NOT coming through the stereo, and the MMI display isn't changing or showing your back-up camera, then it sounds like a carplay box issue. I have a hard time believing it would be a wiring issue because everything is plug and play (minus the ground wire on the back-up camera). If it were me, I would first unplug and re-plug all of the harnesses on the carplay box, then test. If it's still not responding, I would try to get the computer box replaced under warranty.

What you're describing sounds like the box isn't responding at all (either to engage carplay or to accept back-up camera). The kit carries a one year warranty and I know you've only had it for about ~6 months. Best case scenario is you just had a wiring harness that wasn't clicked into place, middle case is you have the box replaced under warranty, worst case is UAD doesn't warranty the box and you're stuck (highly unlikely based on my experiences and the ones I've read from others here on the forum).

Hopefully you don't need a full re-install, just a box swap. Good luck!

[Hatepylons]

A4Landon,

Came across your YouTube Channel tonight, figured I'd hope into A-Zine for further research about the Unique kit. Lo' and behold, stumbled into your content here. Shortly put: THANK YOU. Your thoroughness and informative posts across multiple mediums is awesome.

If you ever make your way to Seattle I owe you a beer. And Unique owes you a commission check.

[A4Landon]

A4Landon,

Came across your YouTube Channel tonight, figured I'd hope into A-Zine for further research about the Unique kit. Lo' and behold, stumbled into your content here. Shortly put: THANK YOU. Your thoroughness and informative posts across multiple mediums is awesome.

If you ever make your way to Seattle I owe you a beer. And Unique owes you a commission check.

LOL! Thanks for the shout out; my wife’s cousin lives in Scandia (near Poulsbo?) and we visit semi-frequently. I may take you up on that beer...or seven.

If you installed the kit, I hope you’re enjoying it! I took a leap of faith (and an expensive one at that) when I bought it and have been nothing but pleased. It’s not perfect, but man it’s so stealth. You could sell the car and nobody would ever know it had CarPlay capability. I’m a big fan of low-impact installs. No cutting. No cheap trim. No tapping wires. Just clean.

[Hatepylons]

LOL! Thanks for the shout out; my wife’s cousin lives in Scandia (near Poulsbo?) and we visit semi-frequently. I may take you up on that beer...or seven.

Definitely let me know when you're out again, we're about 20min from the Edmonds Ferry, so an hour-ish away from Scandia depending on traffic and ferry wait.

If you installed the kit, I hope you’re enjoying it! I took a leap of faith (and an expensive one at that) when I bought it and have been nothing but pleased. It’s not perfect, but man it’s so stealth. You could sell the car and nobody would ever know it had CarPlay capability. I’m a big fan of low-impact installs. No cutting. No cheap trim. No tapping wires. Just clean.

The cleanliness and OEM look are a huge draw to me. Genuinely surprised we're not seeing a comparable setup being pushed through BestBuy or CrutchField by now.

[Remmebr]

You should at least let them know. They think this is unique to my car. I had to send them a video to prove it was happening.

How do you use it at night? I find it ruins my night vision and have to turn the display off.

Has anyone figured out the brightness issue w the unique auto CarPlay product? My unit is having the same issues going super bright after a few seconds regardless of the time of day.. thanks!

[Tim R.]

Has anyone figured out the brightness issue w the unique auto CarPlay product? My unit is having the same issues going super bright after a few seconds regardless of the time of day.. thanks!

Nope. At first they blamed my phone but it happens without the phone connected. Then they blamed my car so I sent mine back to them and they purchased the exact display that I have in my car and they could not reproduce the problem. They sent me a new unit and a new display cable. I reinstalled and it continues to happen. I emailed them that and never got a response. Have you told them about yours?

Every once in a while it dims for me randomly. I am trying to figure out what might be triggering it but there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.