Android Auto for the 718 - via USB or wireless?

[Tony B2]

Mine is all working properly now - including the steering wheel buttons for "pick-up/end call" which previously did not function.

I had reached the point where my phone could not "see" the dongle, and so I could not even disconnect/forget it.

In the end, I tried connecting a new phone (Android) and backed out once it was identified by the PCM.

Then I re-connected the original phone, which was now seeing the dongle.

A bit of a software glitch somewhere, but NOW sorted.

edit reason: incompetence/fat fingers

Edited by Tony B2 on Wednesday 12th April 15:10

[edub0]

Android Auto works natively on the PCM, it just needs to be unlocked. The forums of rennlist and 718forum have extensive threads on this topic. It isn't native wireless, but alternative methods to provide that are also covered.

[CarbonV12V]

You can now get Carlink 4.0 on eBay for £50 or less - I am about to order one.

[mistermexican]

Can I just check if these kits cause any problems with the PCM head unit and its wider functionality? I've read that some of the "invasive" procedures such as recoding the system or splicing adapters cause problems with the main screen or reversing camera.

[Tony B2]

mistermexican said:

Can I just check if these kits cause any problems with the PCM head unit and its wider functionality? I've read that some of the "invasive" procedures such as recoding the system or splicing adapters cause problems with the main screen or reversing camera.

If you are talking about the Carlink system, there is no invasive procedure, it is purely a USB plug-in, no recoding or adaptor splicing is required.

Once you have plugged the unit in to power it up, you then just connect your phone wirelessly to the unit. This then gives you all the Apple Carplay/Android Auto functionality, via the PCM screen, but you can revert to standard PCM functionality merely by selecting the appropriate PCM icon.

[mistermexican]

Tony B2 said:

If you are talking about the Carlink system, there is no invasive procedure, it is purely a USB plug-in, no recoding or adaptor splicing is required.

Once you have plugged the unit in to power it up, you then just connect your phone wirelessly to the unit. This then gives you all the Apple Carplay/Android Auto functionality, via the PCM screen, but you can revert to standard PCM functionality merely by selecting the appropriate PCM icon.

Sorry, I wasn't implying it was invasive. I was meaning to compare the Carlink to the invasive procedures where the invasive ones can affect the functionality. I guess the Carlink one doesn't affect the functionality at all or cause any problems?

[Tony B2]

mistermexican said:

Tony B2 said:

If you are talking about the Carlink system, there is no invasive procedure, it is purely a USB plug-in, no recoding or adaptor splicing is required.

Once you have plugged the unit in to power it up, you then just connect your phone wirelessly to the unit. This then gives you all the Apple Carplay/Android Auto functionality, via the PCM screen, but you can revert to standard PCM functionality merely by selecting the appropriate PCM icon.

Sorry, I wasn't implying it was invasive. I was meaning to compare the Carlink to the invasive procedures where the invasive ones can affect the functionality. I guess the Carlink one doesn't affect the functionality at all or cause any problems?

Correct!

[LemonTart]

An interesting topic, thanks for everyone sharing their experiences.

I have just bought a Carlink 4.0 from ebay so will let people know how easy it is to set up and how well it works in a week or two.

[JurassicGTS]

Will be very interested so see how you get on.
I had one from a great forum member on a different site just to try and I just couldn't get it to work.
Instructions that came with it were worse than useless, it only offered ipod or Apple Car Play no Andriod Auto and when trying to connect with the PCM it just froze as did the PCM!
The guy who lent it to me said if it doesn't work bin it....which is where it went.
Maybe it was just the unit.
I have ordered the NMAUTOMOTIVE version, should have that today.
Great communication from the guy who sells these.

If this doesn't work, then I guess it's a cheap iPhone off Ebay just running data for Waze etc.
So annoying that a new Porsche in 2023 doesn't have Android Auto.

[Tony B2]

JurassicGTS said:

Will be very interested so see how you get on.
I had one from a great forum member on a different site just to try and I just couldn't get it to work.
Instructions that came with it were worse than useless, it only offered ipod or Apple Car Play no Andriod Auto and when trying to connect with the PCM it just froze as did the PCM!
The guy who lent it to me said if it doesn't work bin it....which is where it went.
Maybe it was just the unit.
[b] I have ordered the NMAUTOMOTIVE version, should have that today.
Great communication from the guy who sells these. [/b]

If this doesn't work, then I guess it's a cheap iPhone off Ebay just running data for Waze etc.
So annoying that a new Porsche in 2023 doesn't have Android Auto.

Seconded - he was very helpful via email, when I had the problems mentioned in my earlier post

(Wondering why the [b] bold text formatting [b/] is not working for me?

Edited by Tony B2 on Friday 14th April 10:28

Edited by Tony B2 on Friday 14th April 10:30

[JurassicGTS]

My NMAUTOMOTIVE option arrived this morning and it works perfectly, so it must have been the old Carlinkit box that was faulty.
Not tried the phone yet but Waze and Google Maps work perfectly and clear on the PCM.
Only a couple of thoughts, Alexa won't show on the apps through this, so I still have to choose music through the phone rather than on screen and it seems to remain powered on so I have to unplug it from the USB socket when not in use.

It does seem identical to the ones sold on Ebay however, so will be interested how yours works when you get it @lemontart.

[Tony B2]

JurassicGTS said:

My NMAUTOMOTIVE option arrived this morning and it works perfectly, so it must have been the old Carlinkit box that was faulty.
Not tried the phone yet but Waze and Google Maps work perfectly and clear on the PCM.
Only a couple of thoughts, Alexa won't show on the apps through this, so I still have to choose music through the phone rather than on screen and it seems to remain powered on so I have to unplug it from the USB socket when not in use.

It does seem identical to the ones sold on Ebay however, so will be interested how yours works when you get it @lemontart.

Doesn't the USB port power-down after you lock the car?

[JurassicGTS]

Tony B2 said:

Doesn't the USB port power-down after you lock the car?

Will check.

[mabosh]

JurassicGTS said:

Tony B2 said:

Doesn't the USB port power-down after you lock the car?

Will check.

Pretty sure it does. If I put the car in our garage and lock it, come in to the house straight away and put my phone beside the door, it shows AA is still active.

If I go back to it a few minutes later is has disconnected so I think it powers down a few minutes after locking (a bit like the PCM also switching off after 10 mins or so when the engine isn't running).

[JurassicGTS]

mabosh said:

Pretty sure it does. If I put the car in our garage and lock it, come in to the house straight away and put my phone beside the door, it shows AA is still active.

If I go back to it a few minutes later is has disconnected so I think it powers down a few minutes after locking (a bit like the PCM also switching off after 10 mins or so when the engine isn't running).

[JurassicGTS]

NMAUTOMOTIVE kit is working perfectly and does shut down after a few minutes.
Only quirk is that I have always used the car inserted data sim for the phone when in the car rather than my phones sim, however when connected to the Carlinkit it automatically switches from the cars sim to the phone sim and wont let me choose which sim to use for data!

[LemonTart]

LemonTart said:

An interesting topic, thanks for everyone sharing their experiences.

I have just bought a Carlink 4.0 from ebay so will let people know how easy it is to set up and how well it works in a week or two.

This arrived this week, I spent 30mins getting increasingly frustrated with it one evening then put it back in the box.

Had another go yesterday and got it working but it isn’t very good.

First I updated Android Auto on my phone.

After plugging the unit in you get a choice on the PCM something like ‘Are you linking iPod or Apply Carplay’ if you go Apple CarPlay then you need to link your phone.

You have to unlink your phone from the PCM and link the the Carlink.

You can get Google maps but the resolution on the map is poor and it only appears on the centre screen.

The phone is controlled by the centre screen only as well.

I don’t think I could recommend this.

I am trying to send it back but eBay seller has yet to respond.

Ho hum....

[Tony B2]

LemonTart said:

This arrived this week, I spent 30mins getting increasingly frustrated with it one evening then put it back in the box.

Had another go yesterday and got it working but it isn’t very good.

First I updated Android Auto on my phone.

After plugging the unit in you get a choice on the PCM something like ‘Are you linking iPod or Apply Carplay’ if you go Apple CarPlay then you need to link your phone.

You have to unlink your phone from the PCM and link the the Carlink.

You can get Google maps but the resolution on the map is poor and it only appears on the centre screen.

The phone is controlled by the centre screen only as well.

I don’t think I could recommend this.

I am trying to send it back but eBay seller has yet to respond.

Ho hum....

The iPod/Carplay choice is not really a big deal, is it - just a single button press while you start the car, in my experience? There might be a setting somewhere that defaults to the last environment?

I have not had to un-link my phone from the normal PCM BT connection, once the initial set-up has been performed.

I can choose between the Carplay/Android Auto environment at any time, via PCM/AA icons.

In AA the map graphics are fine for me, though I did read somewhere about poor graphics in the Carplay environment, which is a Carplay issue.

I can definitely get split screen operation - map taking the main area plus media/phone in the minor (25%) area.

My steering wheel "pick-up/end-call" buttons do work and I can scroll through phone calls/contacts using the scroll button on the wheel, intitaitng a call that way, too.

Is your phone up to date? I fitted a similar (though rather more complex) AA solution in my M3, and it was incredibly frustrating until I got a new phone last October, since then completely seamless.

YMMV...as they say...;-)

[Tony B2]

mabosh said:

Tony B2 said:

Well, I received this in no time at all (good service from NMAutomotive).

It connects really quickly and easily and it is great to have Waze and Amigo available on the car's screen along with speed camera (and other warnings).

2 problems however whilst in Android Auto mode:-

- it fails to access any of my contact information so I have to enter phone numbers manually
- the steering wheel "pick-up"/"end call" buttons do not respond, so I have to use the main touch screen for these actions.

It is very useful to have the power through capability to keep my phone topped up.

All in all, a very neat and useful product and should not impinge on the warranty (unlike the equivalent box from other sources, for BMWs)

Just popped out to try this as I'm one of the posters above who has also bought this device.

I've no issue with Contacts, I can see them in the "phone" screen, on a menu along the top for "Favourites" then "History" then "Contacts". Is it a permission issue somewhere? Do you maybe still have the "old" Bluetooth connection in place? I had to delete this during the set-up process to get AA to sync properly.
I
The "End call" button on the wheel works fine. The "Pick-up" button works as well I think for an incoming call. If I press it when there's no incoming call it takes me to the phone screen I mentioned above. I then need to use the button on the PCM itself to scroll down the Contact list. It's the same for Bluetooth only though. I find the voice control works pretty well.

Yes....I must remember not to post before sufficient caffeine has been consumed...;-)

I do still have the "old" BT connection in place.

To clarify - whilst in AC/AA environment, selecting from the contact list does need the (right) PCM button to be rotated and then pressed, not the steering wheel button (which needs the "old" BT connection). But this is at least much better than having to stab a finger at the screen whilst driving!

The same applies to selecting a previous destination in Waze/Amigo etc.

The screen can most definitely be split between the map and media. 75% map, with the 25% area capable of showing 2 sources.

And - usefully, it is possible to listen to DAB/FM radio whilst using AC/AA for maps and speed cameras.

And finally - the message providing the initial choice between "iPod" and "Apple Carplay" when starting up, also offers the "do not display this message" option.

[JurassicGTS]

LemonTart said:

This arrived this week, I spent 30mins getting increasingly frustrated with it one evening then put it back in the box.

Had another go yesterday and got it working but it isn’t very good.

First I updated Android Auto on my phone.

After plugging the unit in you get a choice on the PCM something like ‘Are you linking iPod or Apply Carplay’ if you go Apple CarPlay then you need to link your phone.

You have to unlink your phone from the PCM and link the the Carlink.

You can get Google maps but the resolution on the map is poor and it only appears on the centre screen.

The phone is controlled by the centre screen only as well.

I don’t think I could recommend this.

I am trying to send it back but eBay seller has yet to respond.

Ho hum....

Sounds very much like the issues I had with the Carlinkit off EB, although you seem to have managed to get further than I did before it went in the bin.
Whereas the NMAUTOMOTIVE one I bought worked straight out of the box and I am very happy with it. In regard to resolution are you using PCM4 or 5 as I had a message from NMAUTOMOTIVE that there can be some problems with resolution but they can solve this.

Edited by JurassicGTS on Monday 24th April 19:37