Adding CarPlay and Android Auto to your car
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are quite possibly the most popular upgrade we are asked about on an almost daily basis. It seems at this point most people have experienced them or at least know what they are and want them. So, how can you get these amazing technologies in your vehicle if it doesn’t already have it available? Well, there are a few different options depending on the age of your vehicle.
factory
retrofit
2017 Grand Cherokee with OEM retrofit
CarPlay first appeared in 2014 and Android Auto shortly after so naturally many auto manufacturers started offering them as an optional add-on for new cars. Today, most manufacturers have made CarPlay and Android Auto a standard feature.
If your car was manufactured after 2014 and does not have CarPlay or Android Auto as an option already, you may be able to retrofit it using an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) upgrade. To find out for sure, contact your local dealership or stop by and see us and we would be happy to see if this is an option.
aftermarket retrofit
2016 Tacoma with aftermarket retrofit
This is an option that many don’t know is even available. What is it? Well, with the popularity of CarPlay and Android Auto, several companies have started producing aftermarket hardware to add them to vehicles that the auto manufacturers won’t support. For example, CarPlay and Android Auto were not options in a 2016 Toyota Tacoma and your local dealership can’t simply add the feature, however, we may be able to. We currently work with multiple companies that offer “OEM like” upgrades that seamlessly integrate with the existing head unit in the 2016 Tacoma. This option works with the factory touchscreen and steering wheel controls. It is as close to OEM as you can get when CarPlay and Android Auto are not available from the factory and most people would not know the difference between this option and the factory installed option.
This isn’t just a Toyota Tacoma upgrade. We have solutions for nearly all vehicle manufacturers and way more models than we could list here. Not to mention, the list just keeps growing. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please stop by with your vehicle and we would be happy to verify compatibility.
replace factory head unit
2009 Lexus RX350 with aftermarket head unit
If your car is a little older or there is not an OEM upgrade available, you could also try replacing the head unit in your car. Many aftermarket head units are now fully compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and can even integrate with your factory safety features like rear view cameras and back up sensors. This is often a better option for people when their current vehicles don’t have these safety features as it gives them an easy and seamless way to add them.
The biggest hurdle you will have to overcome is figuring out which head unit fits your needs the best and that’s where we come in. Feel free to stop by with the vehicle you would like to add CarPlay and Android Auto to and we would be happy to help you figure out the best solution.
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