[Nicky1982]

Hi,

Retrofitting an MMI box looks like a lot of work. I’m wondering if a USB CarPlay dongle would work on an F30? Can you let me know your experience or thoughts?

Many thanks

Nick

[fe7565]

If you have an NBT or CIC OEM head unit, it will not work. There is nothing inside the OEM head units that you can interface a phone data-stream for CarPLay/Android Auto. You could with an EVO made after 2018 or with a flashed older EVO HU. EVO HU setup costs about $1000-$2000, because you need a new screen as well.

Installing an MMI takes about 1-2 hours, max. 4hrs.

[Nicky1982]

Thanks for your help. Mine is a CIC PREMIUM. I think I gotta get a Mmi retrofit box.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Nicky1982

Thanks for your help. Mine is a CIC PREMIUM. I think I gotta get a Mmi retrofit box.

If you do, look for Andream or Road Top. They provide upgrades and both have a US warehouse. There is a mega thread for MMIs. Andream supposed to come out with some innovation later this month, if you can wait. Not sure about CIC MMI. Ask Andream, if their latest full Bluetooth audio firmware works with their CIC MMI. It works for NBT and EVO for sure. Road Top's works for CIC, NBT, EVO.

[fe7565]

There is also an Android Head Unit that looks identical to the OEM screen. It's an Android phone with a screen basically. They have them in 10" size and 12" I think. Plug and play your OEM screen. But, they are prone to glare like a mirror, and may not like that. I opted for an MMI. Also has a thread here named Android HU 11/ 12/ 13

[Nicky1982]

Thanks so much for your very useful info

[goosfraba]

Originally Posted by fe7565

You could with an EVO made after 2018 or with a flashed older EVO HU.

My EVO is ID6 (2018 F30), it has wireless Carplay from factory.

Are there any USB dongles out there to make Android Auto work on my F30?

I've came across a box model that claims to do that
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005338428155.html

"Item description:

Please note: BMW cars need to support the original CarPlay, wireless CarPlay to Android system 10.0 (some customers do not have an Apple phone or want to use the Android system on the original car phone but are unwilling to disassemble it, this box can be used)"

Has anyone tried it?

I'm willing to buy it if anyone says it works, for me it's a little risky to buy not knowing if it works cause I pay almost 100% in taxes here.

Thanks!

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by goosfraba

My EVO is ID6 (2018 F30), it has wireless Carplay from factory.

Are there any USB dongles out there to make Android Auto work on my F30?

I've came across a box model that claims to do that
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005338428155.html

"Item description:

Please note: BMW cars need to support the original CarPlay, wireless CarPlay to Android system 10.0 (some customers do not have an Apple phone or want to use the Android system on the original car phone but are unwilling to disassemble it, this box can be used)"

Has anyone tried it?

I'm willing to buy it if anyone says it works, for me it's a little risky to buy not knowing if it works cause I pay almost 100% in taxes here.

Thanks!

It seems to do that. But it says Android 10 with future updates to Android 12. Is the Android 12 update available?

[goosfraba]

Originally Posted by fe7565

It seems to do that. But it says Android 10 with future updates to Android 12. Is the Android 12 update available?

Thanks for the reply! Regarding the Android 12 update I don't know if it's available. I wouldn't count on it. Do you think that's an issue? From Android 10 and above, Android Auto comes installed on the firmware. I guess it could be an issue in the future though, for backwards compatibility from newer phones.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by goosfraba

Thanks for the reply! Regarding the Android 12 update I don't know if it's available. I wouldn't count on it. Do you think that's an issue? From Android 10 and above, Android Auto comes installed on the firmware. I guess it could be an issue in the future though, for backwards compatibility from newer phones.

Yes, that would be my concern also, that the hardware by this gadget will not be able to support future Android Auto upgrades by Google. But i like the concept. I would consider such thing, if I had a BMW factory CarPLay option, but I have an NBT and using MMI.

[goosfraba]

Originally Posted by goosfraba

I've came across a box model that claims to do that
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005338428155.html

Updates on this:

It seems that Carplay and Android Auto doesn't work using this box. It uses its wifi to connect to the Carplay's wifi on the car so you can't create a connection through Android Auto cause wifi is already in use. So you end up with a Android HU more or less, and for it to access the internet you need to insert a sim card in the box.

[fe7565]

Ah, yes, SIM card access is a no-go for me.