Fiat Ducato 2021 and android car play

[whisky walker]

Evening all, just a quick question. Has anyone set up a seperate android carplay in their MH and if so, did you have any issues.

Many thanks in advance

Graham

 

[Peavy]

Android Auto or Apple Carplay?
I've got a cheap EBUS unit with android auto, no issues in my 22 Ducato, except you cannot use the steering wheel built-in controls.

 

[whisky walker]

Android Auto or Apple Carplay?

I was under the impresion carplay was a seperate screen and Android Auto was actually using the MH built in screen? I'm looking at a seperate screen set up.
Its android that I'm looking at if thats any help

Thanks

 

[royandsharont]

My 22 one has both on the Uconnect but I have iPhone so have used CarPlay from the phone wirelessly

 

[Barti Ddu]

Not sure I fully understand your question, but I fitted a Sony double DIN head unit to my 2021 Ducato to give me both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

I use it in Android Auto mode connected to a Pixel 7 phone. Google Maps, BBC Sounds, Spotify and more all in one place and fully integrated into the head unit, including voice commands, and hands free phone too obviously. Highly recommended - especially after also fitting a Motorola MA1 device to make it fully wireless rather than needing a USB connection. Never loses it's connection - it just works.

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[whisky walker]

Not sure I fully understand your question, but I fitted a Sony double DIN head unit to my 2021 Ducato to give me both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

I use it in Android Auto mode connected to a Pixel 7 phone. Google Maps, BBC Sounds, Spotify and more all in one place and fully integrated into the head unit, including voice commands, and hands free phone too obviously. Highly recommended - especially after also fitting a Motorola MA1 device to make it fully wireless rather than needing a USB connection. Never loses it's connection - it just works.

I was looking to see if anyone had just used a seperate screen, I didn't want to go down the route of changing out the complete unit. Hope that explaines a little better.

Cheers

 

[Peterd82]

I understand what you are looking for but doubt it exists in the form you require. Both Apple Carplay and Android Auto operate in a similar way connecting a smartphone to the headunit. As this requires software in both devices a separate screen would be much more than just a screen. There is also a licensing issue whereby the head unit needs to be licensed to connect this way. Slightly different but similar scenario: I use Android Auto in my car to use Waze from my Android smartphone. Having just bought a new motorhome I have found that the Xzent unit provided by Ford hasn’t had the license fee paid so I can’t use it. Ford provide Android Link which is nowhere near as good and loses connection.

Hope this helps.

 

[Barti Ddu]

I was looking to see if anyone had just used a seperate screen, I didn't want to go down the route of changing out the complete unit. Hope that explaines a little better.

Cheers

Ah - Ok - that isn't Android Auto or Apple Carplay then - as Peterd82 says above, you need a dedicated head unit to get that. You can get cheap Chinese no-brand "screens" that you can "mirror" your Android phone to - but my understanding is that they are clunky, unreliable, and basically nothing like the proper seamless Android Auto experience.

 

[Miggs]

There are loads of Android auto units that will sit on the dashboard like a sat nav. Is that what you mean?

 

[fred_jb]

Why not just use a dedicated phone on something like a Quadlock mount to the dashboard. You can get a refurbished top of the range Samsung smartphone from 3 generations back so something like an S20 or S21 for around £200 to £250 from Amazon or Back Market.

More reliable and fully featured than a cheap Chinese android auto screen, and without the vagaries and limitations of getting your phone to work through Android Auto as only a relatively small set of apps are compatible. Why not cut out the AA middleman and work directly on a phone, especially as you do not want to use your existing display. You will be able to Bluetooth it to the existing unit for sound while running your satnav app of choice directly on the phone.

I have done this on my motorbike trips and use the same system in the van even though I have wireless Android Auto on my Pioneer head unit. With a cheap SIM only deal this also gives you a backup phone in case of loss or damage to your main phone while away. I use a S20 Note 5G as my main phone and S20 Ultra as the satnav phone. I clone the second phone from the main one so that they are set up identically.

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[whisky walker]

I understand what you are looking for but doubt it exists in the form you require. Both Apple Carplay and Android Auto operate in a similar way connecting a smartphone to the headunit. As this requires software in both devices a separate screen would be much more than just a screen. There is also a licensing issue whereby the head unit needs to be licensed to connect this way. Slightly different but similar scenario: I use Android Auto in my car to use Waze from my Android smartphone. Having just bought a new motorhome I have found that the Xzent unit provided by Ford hasn’t had the license fee paid so I can’t use it. Ford provide Android Link which is nowhere near as good and loses connection.

Hope this helps.

No I know a little more, great thanks for your help. Think it might be better changing out the complete unit.

 

[whisky walker]

Ah - Ok - that isn't Android Auto or Apple Carplay then - as Peterd82 says above, you need a dedicated head unit to get that. You can get cheap Chinese no-brand "screens" that you can "mirror" your Android phone to - but my understanding is that they are clunky, unreliable, and basically nothing like the proper seamless Android Auto experience.

Thanks great info.

Cheers

 

[whisky walker]

Why not just use a dedicated phone on something like a Quadlock mount to the dashboard. You can get a refurbished top of the range Samsung smartphone from 3 generations back so something like an S20 or S21 for around £200 to £250 from Amazon or Back Market.

More reliable and fully featured than a cheap Chinese android auto screen, and without the vagaries and limitations of getting your phone to work through Android Auto as only a relatively small set of apps are compatible. Why not cut out the AA middleman and work directly on a phone, especially as you do not want to use your existing display. You will be able to Bluetooth it to the existing unit for sound while running your satnav app of choice directly on the phone.

I have done this on my motorbike trips and use the same system in the van even though I have wireless Android Auto on my Pioneer head unit. With a cheap SIM only deal this also gives you a backup phone in case of loss or damage to your main phone while away. I use a S20 Note 5G as my main phone and S20 Ultra as the satnav phone. I clone the second phone from the main one so that they are set up identically.

Hi Fred,

That does sound the way to go the Mrs has a couple of good work phones she seems never to use might just sneek one into the MHO

Thanks so much.