Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for XK
 

has anyone figured out how to add apple carplay to 2014 XK?

All MY 2007-2015 X150s use the same UI. Some members here have successfully integrated Android, if someone makes a Car Play add on box like that it could probably be done.

Yes

Attachment 218718

Ha Cambo beat me to it. It would be great if it can be sold internationally someday (Android Auto for guys like me.) I've seen the versions that control the screen with buttons but not seen the touchscreen version which is what I'd want personally. Curious about the build details Cambo, but understand if it's proprietary that you can't share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ6u...ature=youtu.be

There's a few issues right now which are keeping this "in-house"

1. you need to have the AUX input enabled for the audio from the CarPlay unit, this is easy enough in a 4.2L, but for the 5.0L a standard dealer tool cannot do it, and none of the aftermarket diagnostic tools can either. So that's a problem. Yes there are some other ways to get audio in to a 5.0L but they just add more expense to the exercise.

2. there is no off-the-shelf kit to suit the XK, we've been buying a kit for a totally different vehicle, and modifying it to work in the XK, by the time we put a kit together with all the parts, installation instructions, etc it's really expensive, i'm looking at other options which would make the overall cost more attractive, but it's never going to be as cheap as people want it to be. Essentially right now there is no profit in the kit at a "reasonable price", so selling it as a product isn't worthwhile, and after all the effort and expense that's gone into it, giving it away is not an option either (it's not just me here, there are several people involved, and one of them is vehement that it is not to be given away to anyone).

3. the installation is quite involved, takes a experienced installer a whole day to do this from start to finish. So there is quite a bit of cost there too if you are not making the install yourself, and it's beyond the DIY level for a lot of people, as you know from your Android adventures Sean.

If it were a simple plug & play thing, it would be a different story...

Thanks Cambo. Understood and freebies not expected. Frankly I've always been amazed at the tech builds you've given away to the forum. (Retro fit iPod, Retro fit Reverse Camera, adding premium audio are the ones I use). Then there's the DAB for the regions that use it.

I'm happy with the setup I have, having abandoned the touch screen as the tech was just OK (to slow). Car solutions doesn't even make it anymore.

It's the touch screen tech that's the game changer. And by game changer, I mean it allows you to incorporate all your phone functions into the car. I'm guessing that's the motivation behind your company's work on it too, which is to stay current.

Today I can simply plug my Samsung into my GVIF and view my phone on the screen (Launch Android Auto) if I want, but bottom line is, an old iPod in my center console fits all my music needs and I have the gauges display which was my initial goal with the android box and although I have the newest Map disk, I still rarely use it. Then I've done the Premium audio upgrade, have the iPod retro fit, have the backup camera retro fit, the phone pairs with OEM and gives me full directory (still wish I could putz with voice though I understand it's not impressive.)

Anyway, if the touch screen tech ever becomes affordable or even just a change to the OEM GUI gets developed, let us know!

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...30660d5f0b.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...114d674a2c.jpg

Okay time for an update.

I haven't been able to come up with an alternative to the AUX input for the 5.0L cars. Tried nearly a dozen devices & adaptors to connect to the iPod or USB socket, but nothing worked.

It seems like the only option is some special programming with SDD to turn on the AUX input.

For the 4.2L cars this is not a problem as any Jaguar dealer can turn on the AUX, but for the 5.0L, it's going to be more work.

Cambo, what black magic is this?!?

as much as I want this in my XK my x351 would kill for CarPlay!

PM Sent

Yes, please do tell.

Sounds like a project for hardcore DIY'ers. Personally I would just use a CD slot mount for a Garmin unit or smartphone, or velcro it over the sat-nav screen. :icon_goofygrin:

Agree that it requires some extensive DIY, as Cambo mentions, and for most, they need one of his shops. That said, the beauty of this set up is that he's modernized the touchscreen as it gives no appearance of an add on. That adds value to the car imo. It's out of my budget right now but I would jump on it if the money finds its way into my petty cash account. I need a creative personal accountant and my wife (CFO) isn't buying it.

Hi Cambo, where is that AUX that can be turned on by any Jaguar dealer? Nobody seems to know here in South Africa....I have a 2007 XK R, and would like to stream music from my i-phone. Pls advise....

4.2L X150's can have the AUX input enabled by any Jaguar dealer, here is a screenshot of the option in the dealers diagnostic tool.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...95a14729f3.jpg

I was previously selling a bluetooth adaptor that plugs in to the back of the radio to give you music via the AUX however i'm out of stock and with this whole Covid 19 thing i'm really not sure when i'll have them available again.

Thank you for the info Cambo. I'll get to a Jag dealer overhere when we can circulate again. Nothing urgent for now. How much were/will you be selling these gadgets for (if again?)? I found some in the US, but they don't ship to South Africa.
Pls let me know if/when you can get me one, I'd be very grateful.
cheers,

it's not difficult, on rear connexion dash there is grey connectic :

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...51a24f9661.jpg
You buy this

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...ed6c53eac4.jpg
Réf : MX-19420-0001 and you connect your input audio. PIN10 : left, PIN11 : ground and PIN12 : right .

And after you active AUX input with SDD.

Phone Mount and CarPlay emulation
 

I just purchased my 2009 XKR a few weeks ago, and the first project I contemplated was replacing the audio system altogether. After reading the many experienced and knowledgeable posts on the subject (with great thanks to Cambo and Queen & Country, in particular), I decided to keep the system intact (for now) and focus on what non-invasive improvements could be made. I wanted CarPlay, but not at the cost of a professional install or the risk of upsetting the delicate electrical system of the Jaguar if I opened the dash and messed with the wiring myself. However, I did find an aesthetically pleasing, wireless connecting and charging, CarPlay-like solution that didn't require any invasive or permanent modification of the car.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...fb1871db74.jpg
CarPlay emulator app on phone charging mount

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e862e1e262.jpg
Phone charging mount exposed

My first purchase was a Bovee 1000 bluetooth adapter with the Jaguar interface cable ( ) that connects to the iPod interface in the center console (CC). Again, this purchase was based on other posts and recommendations found in this forum. I believe the iPod interfaces in the CC were standard equipment in MY2009-2015, and was an option on earlier models. The Bovee unit got me bluetooth (BT) connectivity to the Infotainment System (IS) for audio and preserved separate BT connectivity to the IS's phone function.

This, however, still didn't allow me to use my iPhone's CarPlay functionality because the X150s' IS doesn't have CarPlay compatibility. Instead I added a CarPlay emulator app to my phone, which displays large icons for apps likely to be used while driving, such as Music, Navigation, Phone, Podcasts, Spotify, etc., without the need for a CarPlay compatible IS in the car. I just started using the app so I don't know the extent of its capabilities, but music and navigation seem to work fine, including allowing me to play my Playlists (located in the Cloud) through Apple Music, which was my primary concern. The one I used is a subscription based app, with monthly and yearly payment options. I paid for 1 month and am still trialing it. I've never actually had a car with CarPlay, so I won't be able to compare the two, but so far this seems to meet my limited needs.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e754ec2f40.jpghttps://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...8414ad23ae.jpghttps://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...6de4ab6bd9.jpg
CarPlay-like emulator home screen

That was the easy part. I had been using a wireless phone charger with a vent mount, but it was obtrusive and, ultimately, would either slip off (or worse, cause damage to the vent) given the weight the vent was being asked to support. By happenstance, I found that my iPhone 8 in an Otter Box case, appx. 5.75" (14.5mm) x 2.75" (7.5mm), was a perfect fit in the ashtray, with the bottom of the phone (in a landscape/horizintal position) resting against the front lip of the open ashtray and the top of the phone resting against the vertical face of the console. This worked fine for a while, but the phone wasn't charging, despite being always in use, unless I manually plugged a charging cable and removed it each time I left the car. I had become accustomed to wireless charging and did not want to go back to manual plugging in, so I looked for a solution that would minimize the obtrusiveness of a charging mount AND allow me the convenience of wireless charging. Unfortunately, a CD mount charger blocked the IS screen, the issues with the vent mount were discussed above, and a gooseneck mount coming out of the lighter horizontally to the driver's side would not support the weight of the phone and wobbled like crazy. And each of these options still required a separate wire to be run to the mount from the lighter, adding clutter to the mount itself, which was far from aesthetic to begin with.

Although the XK150's IS reminds me of the $40 karaoke machine I bought from Walmart for my daughter when she was 10, I am still concerned about preserving the looks of the interior and not have loose wires laying about.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...d48e814384.jpg

I found a wireless charging pad that would fit within the space of the ashtray - I just needed to build a support to keep it in contact with the back of the phone, and also to keep the phone from rubbing up against the vertical face of the console. The charger is small, extremely thin, and matches the interior fairly well, and gives me a touch of the burl that I desperately crave.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...0453446d0d.jpghttps://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...42cf553f5e.jpg

To create the support, I used some wire from a clothes hanger to form a structure, secured the base of it in the ashtray (that pops out with a small tug) with some oven-bake modeling clay, then removed it and baked it for 45 minutes. My first few tries of removing the unbaked clay from the ashtray without distorting its form were unsuccessful, until I used a generous amount of mold release. I know that I could have used oil, soapy water, etc. but since I was going to bake it, I didn't know what how these other lubricants would respond to baking. So I splurged and used the stuff intended for the job. The clay slid out of the ashtray and retained its shape perfectly.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...8fbe5bf069.jpghttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...560b446d59.jpghttps://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...93ecad3005.jpghttps://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...23424f8061.jpg

After baking, I covered the remaining wire above the base with silicone (I used Sugru, but Plasti-dip would work as well) and slipped it back in the ashtray. I was able to adjust the wire support as needed to get a perfect fit, glued the silicone-covered wire to the back of the charging pad, and ended up with a pretty good looking charging phone mount with the charging wire mostly out of sight. Since the connections on the charging pad were fairly thin, I used the Sugru to form additional strain reliefs on its USB power cable - I could have done a better job but it was my first time using the stuff and I got a little sloppy...oh well.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...42360b3b5b.jpghttps://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e2b8c06eb8.jpghttps://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...de920ce3f0.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...72c42f3645.jpghttps://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...2f1f5b5658.jpghttps://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...6ed83210a6.jpghttps://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...2b99a1c52f.jpg

Although the gear shift knob does partially block the view of the phone while in Park, when positioned in Drive, the view is unobstructed. Some people may want a mount that is higher so they can keep their head up, which this obviously is not. However, I do not find myself needing to look at the screen often, even when navigating, so this works for me.

BTW, I've got no connection to, or interest in, any of the products or companies referenced above. I didn't name the emulator app only because I am still trying it out, but they are easy to find by a search in the App store or on google. The charging pad also comes in a good number of wood alternatives and I was impressed with the quality of the wood - really beautiful stuff. The charger's electronics are sourced by the U.S. manufacturer from China, and its quality remains to be seen - but no issues so far (except for the thinness of the wire/connectors).

I apologize for the length of this post given the fairly simple solution - I think my wordiness must be due to effects of the COVID Stay at Home Order....
-Marlon

Hi everyone, made an account to reply here. @Cambo, is it possible to get some DM time with you? I'm in the market for a 2012+ XKR and have been looking deep into the infotainment modding possibilities with the intention of getting Android Auto working. I'm seriously intrigued by what you've posted in this thread, and you seem like THE guy to talk to about this.

​​​​​​​Do I understand correctly that you've managed to get android auto or carplay to display, have touch interaction, and have visual navigation, but it won't do audio that way? Do I likewise understand correctly that getting these cars to stream music from a phone (bluetooth adapter on the ipod input in center console) is fairly straightforward, if inflexible?

For the guys in the UK looking for CarPlay on their X150, there are some guys in Cambridge that’ll do the setup and installation. But, it’s ~£1k

How about doing the decent thing and posting up a link? :)