OEM Car Play Solution for 2016 and 2017 models

One last (dumb) question. Will the USB cable charge? If you don’t know, no worries.

My car has an older Pioneer HU with CarPlay that sometimes is spotty so I’m used to fiddling with it. $200 may still be worth the gamble to see how much I do or don’t like it. Thanks again for the input!

 

I can’t say if it’ll actually charge up the phone or hold it steady but it did indicate my phone was charging when I tested wired CarPlay. I don’t have the USB portion plugged in anymore to test unfortunately.

 

I just installed this for my 2018 Tacoma.

Pros
-Literally plug and play
-Wireless Android Auto/Apple car play
-All controls on steering wheel works
-Get to switch from stock to carplay interface

Cons
-Have to manually switch to the car play interface every time the car turns on as it defaults to the entune interface.
-Google maps not the best quality but it isn't as bad as others on this thread is making it to be. Quality seems fine for the other apps
-Can't use the native Sirusxm with car play. Have to use the Sirusxm app from your phone. The downside to this is you are using your phones data rather from satellite.

I really only use this for the Google maps feature for long trips as I couldn't stand the built in nav. It's nice to have this opinion.

 

Are you able to listen to FM radio (via Entune) while using Android Auto/Carplay for maps?

 

I haven't tried this. I'm confident that's going to be a no since you have no access to the Entune interface when using Android/car play. I'll confirm tm.

 

Our Honda Pilot will, if you start listening in FM and then select AA. I'm going ahead and buying one because like you said the main feature is being able to use Google Maps.

 

That doesn't sound all that bad. Maybe I'll give it a shot myself for a $200 gamble.

Why can't you use the built in XM? Do you have to remove the built in receiver and it can't be relocated? That would be the only deal breaker for me as I do enjoy XM.

 

The built in XM is still there. You just can't use it while using the Android/Car Play interface.

 

I tried this but had no luck. Is this for wired or wireless? I tried wireless if this makes any sense. If you know how to get around this, please let me know.

 

Here are a few more pictures of the navigation options. Stock nav picture included for reference.
Apple maps is def easier to read compared to Google Maps in my opinion
Order of pictures

Stock
Google Maps
Google Maps zoomed in
Google maps with dark mode on
Apple Maps

 

Ok I think I follow now. So if I start listening to XM through built in Entune, then switch to the CP interface for navigation, I would lose hearing the XM, correct?

 

Correct. You'll have to use the Sirusxm app from car play

 

Got it. Definitely a first world problem, but certainly not as seamless as the real thing. Thank you for your honest real world feedback.

 

Just received my CarABC unit today. Works perfectly for Android Auto. Anytime Backup Camera mod still works in Android Auto Mode, as does the automatic backup camera callup when shifting into reverse in Android Auto. Was worried as I had read certain aftermarket head units don't properly recognize shifting into reverse with the manual transmission.

Install took about 45min. Most of that time was spent finagling the box so that it would fit with the head unit in place. I placed it vertically under the left-center air conditioner vent. Didn't have to remove the XM module or anything else as some users have reported.

Steering wheel functions all still work (volume, track buttons).

You enter Android Auto from one of three ways: Hold the voice button on the steering wheel, tap the volume knob, or select AUX from the source screen.

Only loss of functionality is the ability to listen to FM/AM radio while in Android Auto. All audio must come from the phone, it appears. No big loss to me.

Very, very happy to have an "OEM" solution for only $200. Only took five years!

 

There is only one plug to pig tail for the anytime back up right? I couldn't get mine to work properly. My anytime back up does not work, but front camera works even without switching to anytime

 

I had the Anytime set up already. I unplugged that pin connector at the head unit, then took that connector and plugged into the relevant splice from the CarABC cabling, and it worked as it should.

Let's see if I can format a diagram for you:

(edit, text did not work at all lol)

https://i.imgur.com/xr7lCED.png

 

Yeah I had it previously installed too and worked before. I tried both combinations with the Carabc but . I think it's a problem with my anytime backup because that was one of my first electrical mods and I'm sure it's kinda sketchy.

Regardless, I still like the Carabc unit

 

@Technique looks pretty legit for the price. I’ve been eyeing the Beatsonic adapter but considering this route thanks for doing the research.

 

I didn’t see Waze mentioned. Possible to see a screen of this?

 

I bit the bullet and ordered. I fear the price will jump as these get popular.

I’m going to try and set mine up for wired and wireless and retain the XM tuner, but we will see how it works. I have a breakout harness for my amp wiring using the stock speaker wires so I have a ton of stuff in the area, but I’ll get creative.