[tevren]

I'm looking for options to retrofit android auto on my F31. I have an android phone and a 2017 BMW F31 with apple car play. I reached out to Bimmertech regarding the android auto retro fit, but it doesn't support vehicles that already have apple car play. Has anyone else been able to get android auto on their apple car play enabled vehicles? Does it involve replacing the entire head unit?

Cheers and thank you

[Friggin_Idiot]

I asked similarly for my '18 F30 with CarPlay. BimmerTech said they have something they're working on, but it will still be months before updates.
I checked Crutchfield's site, it advised against replacing the HU.

[daxtor]

If you are not afraid of tearing your dash apart and putting it back together, then you can consider getting one of those Android headunits (actually you get a bigger screen with Android hardware inside, while retaining the factory HU and iDrive). I personally have the Android 9 HU installed and it has been working great. I did the installation myself and it wasn't really that hard to be honest. I started out wishing to use Android Auto as well but now that I have full Android running in the HU screen, I just use Google Maps natively along with PowerAmp at the same time (using split screen). If you want to use Android Auto from your phone, then with this new Android HU you can run the app Headunit Reloaded so it act like an AA receiver to allow your phone's AA to connect.

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by daxtor

If you are not afraid of tearing your dash apart and putting it back together, then you can consider getting one of those Android headunits (actually you get a bigger screen with Android hardware inside, while retaining the factory HU and iDrive). I personally have the Android 9 HU installed and it has been working great. I did the installation myself and it wasn't really that hard to be honest. I started out wishing to use Android Auto as well but now that I have full Android running in the HU screen, I just use Google Maps natively along with PowerAmp at the same time (using split screen). If you want to use Android Auto from your phone, then with this new Android HU you can run the app Headunit Reloaded so it act like an AA receiver to allow your phone's AA to connect.

Indeed, the Android 10.25" head units are pretty popular. There is now an Android 10.0 version from AvinUSA that besides providing the increased screen size, it has a video input so if you're retrofitting a front or rear camera you can easily wire it directly to the head unit if you prefer to wire it that way (an easy way to get the job done without an MMI box).

Some people that have their cars tuned with Bootmod3 use the Android screen to run the BM3 dashboard app instead of on their tiny phones so they can look at the large gauges on a large display. Lots of pro's to having the after market head unit. You can still use your factory iDrive so you're not just stuck with Android but have the option to go into the Android side when needed. When I tune my car I plan on getting one of these Android screens.

[tevren]

Originally Posted by Friggin_Idiot

I asked similarly for my '18 F30 with CarPlay. BimmerTech said they have something they're working on, but it will still be months before updates.
I checked Crutchfield's site, it advised against replacing the HU.

Good to know that Bimmertech is working on it. Last time I asked they just told me that it wasn't supported.

Originally Posted by daxtor

If you are not afraid of tearing your dash apart and putting it back together, then you can consider getting one of those Android headunits (actually you get a bigger screen with Android hardware inside, while retaining the factory HU and iDrive). I personally have the Android 9 HU installed and it has been working great. I did the installation myself and it wasn't really that hard to be honest. I started out wishing to use Android Auto as well but now that I have full Android running in the HU screen, I just use Google Maps natively along with PowerAmp at the same time (using split screen). If you want to use Android Auto from your phone, then with this new Android HU you can run the app Headunit Reloaded so it act like an AA receiver to allow your phone's AA to connect.

I don't mind taking the dash apart, my previous concerns were around (1) keeping the original iDrive system and its functionality, (2) making sure the android auto functionality had the same UI/UX as apple carplay, (3) voiding the car's warranty (I have 2 years left).

[daxtor]

Originally Posted by tevren

I don't mind taking the dash apart, my previous concerns were around (1) keeping the original iDrive system and its functionality, (2) making sure the android auto functionality had the same UI/UX as apple carplay, (3) voiding the car's warranty (I have 2 years left).

Well you don't have to worry about 1 and 2 with the Android screen. I run HeadUnit Reloaded and it takes used the entire screen to show AA's UI, in the proper wide screen support format that is not stretched. For warranty, that probably depends on the dealership.

[gerardoduenas]

Originally Posted by Friggin_Idiot

I asked similarly for my '18 F30 with CarPlay. BimmerTech said they have something they're working on, but it will still be months before updates.
I checked Crutchfield's site, it advised against replacing the HU.

It's been months now, are you aware of any update?

[Friggin_Idiot]

Originally Posted by gerardoduenas

It's been months now, are you aware of any update?

I did ask them again last month and was told I'll receive an email when it becomes available. I checked their site this week and didn't see anything new available yet.
I spent about 9 hours researching online and think I found the module they are working with for about $400 +s/h from SE Asia. (Their SLI modules were only $80 too.) I stupidly didn't save the link, and repeated searches have fallen short of finding it again. I'm sure it will be significantly more expensive from BT, but include lots of programming and tech support if you need it.