Apple CarPlay Retrofit

[sj9ninety]

Has anyone successfully retrofitted Apple CarPlay into their A3/S3?

I have a 2016 S3, and the one thing I wish it came with is Apple CarPlay due to the convenience. My car has the tech package which means I have navigation and the 7" screen. I've seen some positive reviews on youtube regarding this $300 kit from amazon (link below). Has anyone tried this?

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

[v9pal95]

send Sima-Koya a DM. he'll be able to answer this question for you

[plohip]

I’ve had the same kit installed for about a year with no issues. I ordered a longer blue lvds cable for my install as I didn’t like how tight it was with the radio unit pulled out but it’s fine once it’s installed. That could just be due to my routing and where I put the control box (double sided taped above the center console pocket).


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[sj9ninety]

I’ve had the same kit installed for about a year with no issues. I ordered a longer blue lvds cable for my install as I didn’t like how tight it was with the radio unit pulled out but it’s fine once it’s installed. That could just be due to my routing and where I put the control box (double sided taped above the center console pocket).


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Nice! Mine arrives today and will most likely install/test this weekend so I'll see how it goes.

[inkbybuster]

I just finished installing it and love it. Make sure you test the “dip switch” settings before buttoning it up.

[Eli0073]

Dip switch settings? Can you elaborate on that? Cause I'm interested in buying one to.

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[Clod]

Can you do phone mirror?

[sj9ninety]

This thing is a game changer. You’re essentially just running the Apple CarPlay interface over your built in MMI. Works flawlessly.

Dipswitch is just a combination of physical switches on the device. They do advertise phone mirroring but I haven’t tried it yet.

Also need to make sure you’re disconnected from your native Audi MMI Bluetooth or the audio could get confused. Other than that the wireless CarPlay works great!

Installation is plug and play. The hardest part is mounting the glovebox back as there are more wires/hardware to avoid now.


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[Cminkphoto]

Thanks for the update. I've been thinking about this since i got my car but might have to pull the trigger now.

[Clod]

Would be great if you can try the phone mirror and report back.

[A4 in SC]

Would be great if you can try the phone mirror and report back.

Agreed. Would love to know how mirroring works with this.


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[overclocked]

Is this product good? Looking for wireless Apple Carplay integration for my 2015 A3 2.0T.

[rowlands57]

I went through Crutchfield for my retrofit in my 2016 primarily due to the fact that they know exactly what you need and have excellent support for installation questions. I didn't have any on the A3 but I did when I retrofit my Mazda.

The install is literally plug and play. The hardest thing is finding room for all the extra cables when putting the glove box back in. You'll need to route the USB wire to a convenient spot, but that's trivial compared to the rest of the install. I am very happy with the unit and how it works with the built in mic and MMI controls.

[overclocked]

I went through Crutchfield for my retrofit in my 2016 primarily due to the fact that they know exactly what you need and have excellent support for installation questions. I didn't have any on the A3 but I did when I retrofit my Mazda.

The install is literally plug and play. The hardest thing is finding room for all the extra cables when putting the glove box back in. You'll need to route the USB wire to a convenient spot, but that's trivial compared to the rest of the install. I am very happy with the unit and how it works with the built in mic and MMI controls.

So this was a straight forward install for your 2016 A3? Sorry didn’t understand the crutchfield topic, you bought this from Amazon or crutchfield also sells something similar. Thanks!

Update: I contacted Cruthcfield and they said they don't sell anything like this

[rowlands57]

Sorry, got the Mazda headunit from Crutchfield. For my Audi I did purchase the adapter like the one on Amazon. It was plug and play as described. As I said the biggest issue was getting all the wiring hidden back in when putting the glove box back in. Once it's installed read the paperwork and do not forget to plug in the provided adapter into the armrest input. Even though nothing is attached to it it has to be there for the audio to work.

Once it's in the MMI knob it used mostly to navigate, but the steering wheel volume etc.. all work great. It keeps the backup camera working just as usual. To get to the CarPlay you use the AUX Input and if you navigate out of it to settings or something else then hold that AUX Input lever to get back to it.

I mention those things as they are the things that seem to cause people the most confusion. Overall I am very happy with the product and it nice to have Carplay integrated as well as it is using this.

UPDATE: this is the one I purchased https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[overclocked]

Ah ok. Thanks for the information!

[LotoCal]

I recently installed this kit in my 2017 Audi A3 e-tron.
Since this thread hasn't been updated in more than a year and half, here are my observations so far:

The listed kit is no longer available on Amazon, but the same box with the same cables and the same everything is sold by multiple companies under multiple brand names.
I googled "add carplay to audi a3" and got a bunch, including a bunch of different sellers on Amazon.
There are also a large number of videos to help with the installation. I watched this one, especially:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eep4QN3WPw

(I didn't buy from that company, but, again, all the boxes are the same).

The installation was straightfoward. Here are my notes and issues:

INSTALLATION

• You NEED to buy Audi Radio Remover Tools to remove the head unit/CD player in the glove box. Get them before you start. They don't come in the box. Just google "audi radio remover tools." they're inexpensive ($4-5).
• There are 8 screws to remove (in the A3). Watch the videos to see where they are. One is *behind* the existing head unit.
• Unplugging the radio and putting the new unit in line is straightforward, but it helps to (a) watch the videos, and (b) take photos of the back of the radio before you unplug it.
• Ensure that the unit works before replacing everything.
• I had issues with the DIP switches - the diagram shown did not work for my car. But I think I figured out what did, and proceeded. There are four options listed, mine was not one of them (my radio is MIB2, or “Delphi”). The recommended settings caused the screen to split into four sub-parts. I tried a number of different switch combinations, and one worked, but I forgot to write down the combo. The instructions I had said "contact us if the DIP switches don't work for you" but had no contact information.
• You need to set it up initially (at least) via USB, so be sure to make the USB cord available.
• All the videos show the removal of the glove box. None show getting it back on. Getting the glove box back on and aligned is a pain, and having two people helps. It took me the longest time of any of the steps. But when I figured it out, it all came together.

WORKING (3 days in)

• I'm still not sure what the unit takes over and what it doesn't bluetooth wise, especially looking at the difference between wired and wireless connection.
• Using it causes the "AUX" input to show in the driverinformation system area, so you don't get the name of the track or podcast there as you do in the native system.
• I can't get the unit set so that the (native) backup camera overrides the Carplay unit. So, to get to the backup camera, you need to get out of the Carplay system back to the native system (which it still overrides), and when you're done using the camera you need to go back into the Carplay system. Honestly, this may stop me from using the Carplay system on a day to day basis and only use it for navigation, if I can't get it worked out. The backup camera coming on automatically is more important.
• Both wired and wireless work well, although I think wired may work a little better.

FIRST OPINIONS
It's fun and all the controls carry over from the native system. It's inexpensive-ish ($250 plus the radio removal keys (like $5), and I had all the tools needed), just enough of a DIY to be challenging to me and not too frustrating, and is great for maps. But if I can't get the unit to automatically switch over to the backup camera when I put the car in reverse I think I will end up using it only for maps, and continue to use my phone and bluetooth with the native system.


That's it for now. If anything else comes up, I'll write more.

[R.Cade]

I installed the one ECS Tuning sells for about $300 in my 2016 S3 Prestige. I had it 2 months now and like it. I use Android Auto which is 100% wireless, mostly use it with Maps and Spotify. Sounds great as it uses AUX in to the B&O system so you retain the EQ and stuff from the original system.

2 issues
- the backup camera doesn't auto switch
- the steering wheel voice button activates both the original nav and Google. My unit did come with an extra mic but I didn't install it. It's easier to just talk to the phone with Hey Google.

[j_reid05]

I purchased one from Aliexpress under the brand "RoadTop" for $190. Super easy and straightforward install, but putting the dash back together took me some time. My backup camera auto switches perfectly and overall everything functions very well. Once in awhile it will just display a black screen when I get into the car, but I just have to toggle CarPlay on my phone

[texasboy21]

The back up camera situation is a hard no-go for me.. thanks for sharing.

[rowlands57]

I recently installed this kit in my 2017 Audi A3 e-tron.
Since this thread hasn't been updated in more than a year and half, here are my observations so far:

The listed kit is no longer available on Amazon, but the same box with the same cables and the same everything is sold by multiple companies under multiple brand names.
I googled "add carplay to audi a3" and got a bunch, including a bunch of different sellers on Amazon.
There are also a large number of videos to help with the installation. I watched this one, especially:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eep4QN3WPw

(I didn't buy from that company, but, again, all the boxes are the same).

The installation was straightfoward. Here are my notes and issues:

INSTALLATION

• You NEED to buy Audi Radio Remover Tools to remove the head unit/CD player in the glove box. Get them before you start. They don't come in the box. Just google "audi radio remover tools." they're inexpensive ($4-5).
• There are 8 screws to remove (in the A3). Watch the videos to see where they are. One is *behind* the existing head unit.
• Unplugging the radio and putting the new unit in line is straightforward, but it helps to (a) watch the videos, and (b) take photos of the back of the radio before you unplug it.
• Ensure that the unit works before replacing everything.
• I had issues with the DIP switches - the diagram shown did not work for my car. But I think I figured out what did, and proceeded. There are four options listed, mine was not one of them (my radio is MIB2, or “Delphi”). The recommended settings caused the screen to split into four sub-parts. I tried a number of different switch combinations, and one worked, but I forgot to write down the combo. The instructions I had said "contact us if the DIP switches don't work for you" but had no contact information.
• You need to set it up initially (at least) via USB, so be sure to make the USB cord available.
• All the videos show the removal of the glove box. None show getting it back on. Getting the glove box back on and aligned is a pain, and having two people helps. It took me the longest time of any of the steps. But when I figured it out, it all came together.

WORKING (3 days in)

• I'm still not sure what the unit takes over and what it doesn't bluetooth wise, especially looking at the difference between wired and wireless connection.
• Using it causes the "AUX" input to show in the driverinformation system area, so you don't get the name of the track or podcast there as you do in the native system.
• I can't get the unit set so that the (native) backup camera overrides the Carplay unit. So, to get to the backup camera, you need to get out of the Carplay system back to the native system (which it still overrides), and when you're done using the camera you need to go back into the Carplay system. Honestly, this may stop me from using the Carplay system on a day to day basis and only use it for navigation, if I can't get it worked out. The backup camera coming on automatically is more important.
• Both wired and wireless work well, although I think wired may work a little better.

FIRST OPINIONS
It's fun and all the controls carry over from the native system. It's inexpensive-ish ($250 plus the radio removal keys (like $5), and I had all the tools needed), just enough of a DIY to be challenging to me and not too frustrating, and is great for maps. But if I can't get the unit to automatically switch over to the backup camera when I put the car in reverse I think I will end up using it only for maps, and continue to use my phone and bluetooth with the native system.


That's it for now. If anything else comes up, I'll write more.

If you are having issues with the switches in the reviews of the one I purchased there are pictures of the DIP settings that worked for me and the other user posting the pics. Have a look at the pictures in the reviews section here https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and perhaps that will work to get the camera going.

[o1turbo30v]

this is what you guys should be running

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...nd-impressions

[murph3699]

this is what you guys should be running

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...nd-impressions

Its on my radar but I'm a member of the RSNAV Facebook group and they are buggy. Issues with audio on calls, wireless Carplay/AA, etc. Still debating

[masaichris]

Hello guys, I’m not sure if this is the right thread, hope I get some clarification.

I have a 2015 Audi S3 with MMI without carplay/android Auto (Part No.: 8V0 035 870 B). I was thinking of installing the MIB Unit from a Facelift Audi A3/S3/Q2 which has Carplay and Android Auto (Part No.: 81A035192).

I wish to know if the MIB unit above will work on my car (maybe after Component Protection removal via Odis) and if yes, will I have all features including Carplay and my B&O Music?

Any help and information will be highly appreciated.


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[CJWessing]

Hello guys, I’m not sure if this is the right thread, hope I get some clarification.

I have a 2015 Audi S3 with MMI without carplay/android Auto (Part No.: 8V0 035 870 B). I was thinking of installing the MIB Unit from a Facelift Audi A3/S3/Q2 which has Carplay and Android Auto (Part No.: 81A035192).

I wish to know if the MIB unit above will work on my car (maybe after Component Protection removal via Odis) and if yes, will I have all features including Carplay and my B&O Music?

Any help and information will be highly appreciated.


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Also looking to do the same thing with my 2015 S3 with the B&O sound system. Can someone let us know if this will work?

Thanks!
Chris