I recently moved my cell phone mount from the “oh ****” handle to the side AC vent. I’m using a magsafe iPhone 12 charger mount with an AC vent clip. I’ve got it wired to the usb plug on the Unique Auto Developments CarPlay unit and it’s tucked into the steering column opening.



You really can’t even see the cable from the driver or passenger side.

This also keeps the phone nice and cool while charging.

 

That's funny because I just did the exact opposite last week. I had been using a Scosche magnetic vent mount to the left of the wheel and decided to switch to one of those Etsy mounts on the grab handle. I just never got quite used to looking to the left for Waze and I felt like the A/C never worked well enough since my phone was completely blocking my primary vent.

 

I swapped out the Scoshe I had in the same spot with a MagSafe mount. It fits in with the rest of the interior nicely, but I don’t actually use the mount much since I added CarPlay.

 

With wireless CarPlay, the phone just stays in my pocket

 

Is CarPlay something the dealer can add?

 

I do not think so, either the car came with it or not.

 

I don't know if mine does or not. From what I'm seeing, I guess I'll have to just plug it in and see if it appears on the screen.

 

More correctly, if the car came with the necessary hardware so the dealer can do a software update to enable it. That's certainly the case for late MY18s with the 10" screen with no physical buttons.

 

That's what I remembered reading, but the poster above has the buttons to the sides of the screen and is showing CarPlay.

 

I’ve got a 2016 and added the Unique Auto Development CarPlay unit to my car. Sometimes I need to access my phone and I’m horrible about charging it at night so having a charger and mount within reach is important to me, otherwise it would be in my pocket as well.

I hate seeing wires so siding through the steering column makes for a clean look.

 

When my software was updated (they offered it all UK MY18s regardless of screen type) I had the options to select AA and CP but it didn't actually do anything. I believe there's another update for my sort of car that removes those options from the settings but I haven't been near a dealer so they're still there on mine. I guess there might be some magic possible to make it work, but not from JLR.

 

How hard was it to install? I have a 2017 and would like to get one of these.

 

I am the poster of the photo you’re referring to, and it is an aftermarket UAD kit.

A software update from the dealer to enable CarPlay exists for specific versions of the infotainment system, but I don’t think a simple button or no button distinction is a reliable indicator of whether you can get it. Nor is model year.

 

I just mounted a MagSafe mount similarly to yours except I don't have the aftermarket CarPlay so I ran the wire through the door frame molding, behind the seat and into the arm rest USB. I haven't pulled any trim pieces off around the door before, anyone else have experience here and should I to get the wire even more out of the way?
For me the only con with this location is the bluetooth signal does cut out occasionally and I can't see the screen too well with my hands at 9&3. I am thinking about trying the wireless carplay add-on, guess it works for my 2015.