FYI Convert wired Apple CarPlay to Wireless

[Neal]

Okay, you may realize I live under a rock. These things aren't new, I'm just slow to discover this magic! My 2017 Chevy Colorado has CarPlay which is great as I prefer Waze over the NAV view so I can stay informed of hazards, the po-po, etc. Those of us that have CarPlay love the joy of having to unplug and replug in the cable to get frickin CarPlay to work, much less the cable gets old. New dash units have wireless CarPlay built in like the Pioneer AVIC-W8600 in my coach. But the car has wired only and using this little gadget I am now able to get rid of the cable! I've been using this for a week now and it works great. So if you're tired of the cable madness as I was, this may be your answer and yes you too live under a rock!

Amazon.com

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[redbaron]

Having gone this route in many vehicles I will tell you some of the downsides I have noticed.

* delayed recognition when starting a trip.
* parked car turned off in driveway attaches to CarPlay for no reason. If on a call, the other end hears screeching and noise while you hear nothing at all and keep taking a way.
* while using navigation, gps for phone get disoriented and requires the play device be rebooted
* while using 3rd party devices with apple for CarPlay wirelessly often internet is stopped and unavailable
* spontaneously hands free drops mid conversation and is returned to handset.


My vehicles with authorized car play do not exhibit the same behavior.

I have tried the no name china brands, the kickstarter brands, and the Jensen, kenwood options. All have similar issues. Only the kenwood radio with CarPlay seems as reliable as the BMW head units.

My prior attempts with android auto resulted in almost identical behavior.

Let me know if this brand is free of these issues.

 

[Neal]

So far, one week in, I've had zero issues other than sometimes I have to tap the "Projection" on the car display to get it to pickup the CarPlay but that may be just being impatient as obviously the device has to connect via Bluetooth and handoff to Wi-Fi. I had more problems cabled than what I am seeing so far and it has worked well. I often remote start my car before arriving at the car and that has a nice side effect that my phone is connected prior to me getting in so it was ready right away.

I initially tried wireless CarPlay in the RV and didn't like it because I live in the RV and it wants to stay connected to my dash radio unit which obviously is not the typical scenario of CarPlay, living in the vehicle. So I remained wired there for that reason - different scenario.

Edit: It may depend on the USB outlet you use, in my case when I open the door power is disconnected so CarPlay is killed. I am using the USB port that is in my center console below the armrest. If anything is staying powered after you exit the car that could be the cause.

 

[redbaron]

That was the issue I had with Jensen in the Rv. Couldn’t turn it off.

 

[Neal]

I could choose the option for the associated Wi-Fi to not auto join but I just didn't see the point. I may revisit this, but wired in the RV is just simpler per the above.

 

[redbaron]

I tried that. CarPlay is persistent and will reconfigure once it sees Bluetooth. It enables the WiFi and connects it.

I even tried disabling Bluetooth, but again CarPlay enabled it and then enabled WiFi.

Apple chose to ensure those that are not technical will always get connected vs allowing those of us that are to create potential support issues for others in our family.

I dig around in the API, and found that a certified car play device is only active when ignition is on.

The usb CarPlay adapters connect to the usb port of the radio, which is supplied power to charge devices on many vehicles even when off.

That creates the connection while parked problem, and in the Rv, the dash radio doubles as house radio so needs to be powered on while ignition off.