CarPlay CarPlay adapter to convert to wireless CarPlay?

[ByteCrawler]

Tried to read through the whole thread and started skipping to meat and potatoes so sorry if I missed something from all the suggestions. Bought a new 2021 Acura TLX, love the car just still scratching my head how they provide wireless charging for phones but no wireless CarPlay...

Anyways before purchasing the device, I did my research and knew it would be a hit or miss using the CPLAY2air (also mine has a RED and GREEN light not BLUE like most mention). They list Acura on their website up to 2020. Seeing the latest success with Honda Accords, I felt pretty confident I could get this working. Unfortunately not...

When I first got the device and plugged it in, the car recognized it as a CarPlay device and asked me to allow it which I did. Then it proceeded to do nothing... I did not get a Bluetooth connection screen. I cleared all devices from the car, tried again and same results. I did find a WIFI network that had VOLKSWAGEN7A as the WiFi name. Anyways guessing this was a returned device and probably in need of an update (since I couldn't connect to the WiFi network) I did the USB flash to the latest version 2020-11-10. Now the WiFI network comes up as AutoBox. And I can manually connect to it using 12345678. The device shows up as an iPhone on the car (and my Mac when I plug it in), so the device seems fine except I never get the bluetooth to come up. The phone even thinks its connected to CarPlay when I'm connected to the AutoBox WiFi network, but it when I try to choose CarPlay on the car I get "Apple CarPlay Unavailable."

Anyways it was posted that 2020-10-28 guaranteed works with the Honda Accords 2018 and over so I used the stick to update the device to that version. No dice same issue. I tried going to the settings on my iPhone 12 Pro into CarPlay and nothing shows up. I tried plugging the lightning cable into the CPLAY2air then the phone, still no link to CarPlay.

I've tried removing all links from the car to the phone (bluetooth on both ends, WIFI on both ends) and the device and I continue to get the same results. Info on the radio is:

Car: 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec
Model Number: Acura Infotainment System
Android Version: 5.1.1
Phone: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Phone OS: 14.3
Device: CPLAY2air (red/green LEDs)

If anyone else has any guidance they can provide or if there's any successful Acura stories would appreciate some help. I don't even have another car to test with. I'm hoping an in-law comes over with her Volvo this week so I can test on that. I fear that there's a screen on the device that I need to interact with to remove previous devices (like the VW when I first took the device out of the box) which could be hanging this up. Thanks all and love the community that has come out from this!

 

[MrMister111]

The latest OTA is 2020.11.10. It is surprising that you don't see it. The firmware 2020.12.10 is "unofficial" and apparently not yet released via OTA.

The current OTA firmware could always be checked with this link:

http://www.paplink.cn/server.php?action=checkBoxUpdateByCustomerBoxType&&lang=2&&CustomerType=P&&BoxType=U

That link says 2020-10-27 though. I thought latest OTA was 2020-11-10

 

[MrMister111]

Tried to read through the whole thread and started skipping to meat and potatoes so sorry if I missed something from all the suggestions. Bought a new 2021 Acura TLX, love the car just still scratching my head how they provide wireless charging for phones but no wireless CarPlay...

Anyways before purchasing the device, I did my research and knew it would be a hit or miss using the CPLAY2air (also mine has a RED and GREEN light not BLUE like most mention). They list Acura on their website up to 2020. Seeing the latest success with Honda Accords, I felt pretty confident I could get this working. Unfortunately not...

When I first got the device and plugged it in, the car recognized it as a CarPlay device and asked me to allow it which I did. Then it proceeded to do nothing... I did not get a Bluetooth connection screen. I cleared all devices from the car, tried again and same results. I did find a WIFI network that had VOLKSWAGEN7A as the WiFi name. Anyways guessing this was a returned device and probably in need of an update (since I couldn't connect to the WiFi network) I did the USB flash to the latest version 2020-11-10. Now the WiFI network comes up as AutoBox. And I can manually connect to it using 12345678. The device shows up as an iPhone on the car (and my Mac when I plug it in), so the device seems fine except I never get the bluetooth to come up. The phone even thinks its connected to CarPlay when I'm connected to the AutoBox WiFi network, but it when I try to choose CarPlay on the car I get "Apple CarPlay Unavailable."

Anyways it was posted that 2020-10-28 guaranteed works with the Honda Accords 2018 and over so I used the stick to update the device to that version. No dice same issue. I tried going to the settings on my iPhone 12 Pro into CarPlay and nothing shows up. I tried plugging the lightning cable into the CPLAY2air then the phone, still no link to CarPlay.

I've tried removing all links from the car to the phone (bluetooth on both ends, WIFI on both ends) and the device and I continue to get the same results. Info on the radio is:

Car: 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec
Model Number: Acura Infotainment System
Android Version: 5.1.1
Phone: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Phone OS: 14.3
Device: CPLAY2air (red/green LEDs)

If anyone else has any guidance they can provide or if there's any successful Acura stories would appreciate some help. I don't even have another car to test with. I'm hoping an in-law comes over with her Volvo this week so I can test on that. I fear that there's a screen on the device that I need to interact with to remove previous devices (like the VW when I first took the device out of the box) which could be hanging this up. Thanks all and love the community that has come out from this!

If you can connect to the WiFi on 192.168.50.2, either plugged in car, or plugged in to a USB adapter in house try.

If shows the WiFi landing page click on settings and there is a reset button on there. Press and reset.

Then delete all BT from car and iPhone relating to the dongle. Then try setup from scratch.

 

[ByteCrawler]

If you can connect to the WiFi on 192.168.50.2, either plugged in car, or plugged in to a USB adapter in house try.

If shows the WiFi landing page click on settings and there is a reset button on there. Press and reset.

Then delete all BT from car and iPhone relating to the dongle. Then try setup from scratch.

Thanks MrMister, just tried that and it still didn't work.

 

[vosadrian]

Anyone know where you can buy one in Australia?

I'm in Australia. I got mine from ebay. Came from China and arrived in about 1-2 weeks.

 

[bookemdano]

Those looked to be 1st gen. I'd highly recommend the 2nd gen with 5Ghz WiFi support (less prone to interference), such as this:

Carlinkit V2.0 Bluetooth Activator for Car Wired to Wireless Carpaly Module TOP | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Carlinkit V2.0 Bluetooth Activator for Car Wired to Wireless Carpaly Module TOP at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

Note: I simply cut 'n pasted the 1st one I saw in the search, so please exercise your own due diligence regarding seller reputation and best price.

The 1st gen adapter also supports 5GHz (I own one and used a WiFi sniffer to double-check). I think the 2nd gen has some antenna improvements as well as a detachable cable, so it's still worth getting.

 

[Gjwilly]

Is this the correct one?

Carlinkit Bluetooth Apple IOS CarPlay Dongle Carlinkit GPS Wireless Link Dongle~ | eBay

New version: Wireless CarPlay USB Dongle. The automatic screen will be the CarPlay interface. Greatly suitable for iPhone' carplay mode,and Android Auto. 1 X carplay USB. IPhone with iOS (10 and higher).

www.ebay.com.au

or this is cheaper?

Apple Car Play / Android Auto Carplay Smart Link USB | eBay Australia

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple Car Play / Android Auto Carplay Smart Link USB at the best online prices at eBay Australia!

www.ebay.com.au

Both of those say they are for Android headend units. If your stereo uses Android as an operating system that’s fine. Otherwise you want one that says it’s for OEM units.
Always check the details. If it says you need to install an APK then it’s for Android operating system units only.

 

[Robbosan]

I'm in Australia. I got mine from ebay. Came from China and arrived in about 1-2 weeks.

Yeah all sorted, I got one off ebay for $122, coming from China.

 

[WPoly]

That link says 2020-10-27 though. I thought latest OTA was 2020-11-10

For me, the link shows this:

$ {"filePath": "\ / mnt \ / downloads \ / 2020-11-14 \ /U2W_Update_2020.11.10.2137.img", "fileSize": "7831764", "fileName": "U2W_Update.img", " version ":" 2020.11.10.2137 "," updateTime ":" 2020-12-26 15:05:51 "," updateLog ":" Improve performance and compatibility \ nFix connection problem when start the car "}

 

[Daeke]

i have a bricked Cplay2air ver 1 i my car cant see it anymore and nothing happens when i try to update it from USB just solid red light , any ideas if i can save it ?

 

[ihav0frnds]

I’m picking up my new Chevy Bolt lease today! Was excited about the level of upgraded trim w Bose speakers and all but then was a bit annoyed learning their CarPlay has to be wired. I ended up getting this eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/264913920405 after reading this thread. My understanding is I needed to look for items that say u2w, so that’s why I thought I got a solid deal on this at $60. But there are no pics, so I was wondering what is this Plus vs v2? I read elsewhere there was just firmware differences? I guess I’ll see what I finally get...

 

[KevinGrabher]

I’m picking up my new Chevy Bolt lease today! Was excited about the level of upgraded trim w Bose speakers and all but then was a bit annoyed learning their CarPlay has to be wired. I ended up getting this eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/264913920405 after reading this thread. My understanding is I needed to look for items that say u2w, so that’s why I thought I got a solid deal on this at $60. But there are no pics, so I was wondering what is this Plus vs v2? I read elsewhere there was just firmware differences? I guess I’ll see what I finally get...

Honestly, naming on these things is kinda sketchy. I do believe it says "plus" engraved on the device. But I've also seen plus and v2 in the description of what we consider the first generation (v2 is frequently used if it is 1st-gen hardware with the 2nd-gen firmware update).

Generally with all the bricking experiences I wouldn't buy these things any place that doesn't have a decent return-policy. If you can get it somewhere for cheap, sure I guess, but know that you're in for a bit of a gamble.

 

[kuralex]

@MrMister111
I used the @Wallytax VW firmware upgrade that he got from them, version 09.23.2020 I believe, which worked and got me connected, but when I came back the next day it came to the dongle screen and didn’t generate a BT network based on my radio.

Worse, now I can’t get it to accept any other firmware. Looks like it’s game over. Dongle connection screen still loads, but no sign of an active Bluetooth/wifi connection anymore. The string of letters and numbers on the dongle screen has changed significantly, to what’s pictured. So.. I haven’t bricked the device but I can’t connect to it and I can’t update the firmware any more via USB to be able to connect... so, definitely stumped.

Any ideas please @VLud ? You seem to be the one keeping the dream alive! I have a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan and am using a iPhone 12 Pro Max to connect. Firmware usually works flawlessly with first flash, but then on a second try after a long power down in the car USB port or just unplugged for over 10 minutes, it’s back to not generating any networks and the LED stays red, tapping the search button does nothing. Only way to get it working is to reflash via USB.

Thanks in advance 🤞🏻

@MaddenMan or anyone with VW MIB 2.5 head unit: have you tried "unofficial" 2020.12.10 firmware mentioned earlier in this thread? There is 'startup delay' parameter, it may help resolving the issue. I sent my device back, so can not try it by myself. If it works with new firmware I will order the device again.

 

[VLud]

I made a custom firmware for November & December updates, I also uploaded the December official file on the repo

I had some hard time trying to flash my Carplay2Air device with December update, I found out that my Carplay2air had a 10MB rootFS (end of 2019 device) and my Carlinkit V2 (2020 device) had a 12.5MB rootFS (They reduced the kernel partition for that since the flash is still a 16MB flash)

When having a 12.5MB rootFS the update can be done flawlessly, with the other one the update is not flashed even if "Success" is displayed, you are stuck on November update.

The December update is hardly fitting 10MB devices because they left a bluetoothDaemonTest (testing file) in it and there is very few space left, so I removed that file and did some tricks to flash it anyway (you can find the file inside Small_rootFS directory on the repo)

There is only between 420 and 250KB left after flashing it on 10MB devices

Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 10.0M 9.7M 288.0K 97% /

The December update is really appreciable, setting a 5 seconds delay on PSA (Peugeot, Citroen, Opel) cars makes the device work flawlessly even if the car multimedia unit is having a cold start I had to unplug / replug the device before (which was quite annoying)

https://imgur.com/a/eee08Ce

 

[Kurt871]

@MaddenMan or anyone with VW MIB 2.5 head unit: have you tried "unofficial" 2020.12.10 firmware mentioned earlier in this thread? There is 'startup delay' parameter, it may help resolving the issue. I sent my device back, so can not try it by myself. If it works with new firmware I will order the device again.

I have a 2019 VW GTI SE (which I think has the MIB 2.5) but haven't manually flashed the December update; if/when it's released OTA I'll let everyone know how it looks.

 

[Azazel1988]

Dear friends,

I bought CPLAY2air and received it yesterday.
I have a Mazda 3 2014. MZD firmware version 70.00.352 EU.
CPLAY2air current version after update via USB file .2020.12.10.1057. ------ 00b0d900d0caCMP
Product came with version 2020.11.10.2137.
In 192.168.50.2 it is the latest version.
I tried also rollback to: 2020.08.04.XXXX (Sorry cannot remember exact numbers).
All of above did not solved the problem.
Detailed problem is :

1. Endless restarts of CarPlay while using the product.
2. USB accessories are ON
3. Low power mode is OFF
4. Tried to change all of Normal / Combability mode and other settings in 192.168.50.2
5. Checked wired connection via device, and check wired connection direct to MZD.
6. Only direct connection without the product is stable.
7. If I run the main screen of pairing without doing a pair, it is not restarting.
8. But after pairing and showing iPhone's CarPlay screen it gets restarted after 30 seconds.
9. Then I have to wait for device to enable main screen of pairing, and then I need to wait for pairing.

Please help me and a lot of people to find a solution for restarting problem.
Product is 100% working. Only one serious problem is restarts, I believe firmware needs more codding to fix MZD problems.

I really want to use the product.


Sincerely,
Shalev Bukovetsky.

I have a mazda 6 2019 and i have the same problem with a carlinkit 2.0 updated with 2020.12.10.
I asked yesterday to cplay2air if my car was suitable for their device.. they told me so... hahah what a liers...

the only thing we can do its to send feedback through 192.168.50.2 in safari, and wait that chinese guys hear our complains and make a proper firmware for our mazda

 

[jesse_s93]

Hey, I can confirm version 2020.12.10 works with my Škoda Scala. It autoconennects after 30 seconds. Where my problem is that the microphone doesnt work. Do you have Idea how to set up so I would be able to use this feature?

It won't work at the moment, unfortunately. This is due to the MIB3 system in the Scala. I have already been in contact with Carlinkit. Please use the adapter and use Siri and then send feedback using the browser on your phone and 192.168.50.2

 

[mopac01]

2018 Chevrolet Silverado LT With MyLink Head Unit. Just received new Carlinkit V2. Read this entire 200 page post before starting. Deleted all bluetooth from head unit. Deleted all CarPlay from head unit. Deleted all truck WiFi and turned truck WiFi off. Deleted truck bluetooth and wifi from iPhone. Also went to General-Carplay and forget this vehicle. Started truck then waited 10-30 seconds and plugged in the Carlinkit. All I got was a red light on the carlinkit that would once in a great while blink a single time. I tried this numerous times and never got anything like the connecting screen on the head unit.

Went to the 1st post of this thread and downloaded the 11-10-20 firmware and flashed it. Followed the 1st post's instructions and got the red/green alternating light and then solid red. Went out to the truck and drove out of range of home wifi. Left my Apple watch at home. Went to the developer screen on the truck. Went to General iPhone settings (iPhone 12 iOS 14) and rest then reset network settings. Also cleared all the network/radio settings from the head unit. After numerous attempts I finally got the connecting screen. I was able to connect to the bluetooth from the headlinkit and CarPlay came up. It was OK for 5 minutes or so but when I tried to use steering wheel controls to change tracks the CarPlay screen went away and I couldn't get it back. I tried flashing the dongle up to the 12-10-20 firmware but that didn't get me reconnected. I went back to the 11-10-20 firmware as that worked. I reset the head unit and the iPhone. I've deleted the "phone" that shows up in CarPlay on the head unit numerous times and went to the IP address on the dongle and used "reset" all to no avail.

What I'm currently seeing is every so often the projector icon turns to CarPlay for a second. Sometimes I will see the connecting screen. But it never spawns the bluetooth connection that it did the one time I got CarPlay to come up successfully.

 

[emarcin]

How do I check what version of flash I have?

I made a custom firmware for November & December updates, I also uploaded the December official file on the repo

I had some hard time trying to flash my Carplay2Air device with December update, I found out that my Carplay2air had a 10MB rootFS (end of 2019 device) and my Carlinkit V2 (2020 device) had a 12.5MB rootFS (They reduced the kernel partition for that since the flash is still a 16MB flash)

When having a 12.5MB rootFS the update can be done flawlessly, with the other one the update is not flashed even if "Success" is displayed, you are stuck on November update.

The December update is hardly fitting 10MB devices because they left a bluetoothDaemonTest (testing file) in it and there is very few space left, so I removed that file and did some tricks to flash it anyway (you can find the file inside Small_rootFS directory on the repo)

There is only between 420 and 250KB left after flashing it on 10MB devices


The December update is really appreciable, setting a 5 seconds delay on PSA (Peugeot, Citroen, Opel) cars makes the device work flawlessly even if the car multimedia unit is having a cold start I had to unplug / replug the device before (which was quite annoying)

https://imgur.com/a/eee08Ce

 

[VLud]

It is not a "version" of flash since the flash is the same, it is just the way it is partitioned (and I will not try to expand the rootFS due to high bricking risk), using the custom firmware (any version) you can put U2W.sh at the root of your USB Key with that inside:

#!/bin/sh

df -h

Plug it on the device, wait 5 seconds, plug it back to the computer and you get the result inside U2W.txt

Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 10.0M 9.7M 288.0K 97% /

 

[coolio2004]

Yeah all sorted, I got one off ebay for $122, coming from China.

Aliexpress offers atm for US $69.02.

Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

 

[Robbosan]

Aliexpress offers atm for US $69.02.

V2 is $90US, i wouldn't buy anything of that pos website anyway, 2- 3months delivery lol.

 

[Garlap]

@VLud

it seems you know a lot about the firmware for this wireless adapter, I do have a few question and hoping you can help me out. My Alpine unit only response to firmware on or before August, and firmware in Sept or after, I either got no response or getting reboot every 20-30sec.
Do you know what has been changed on the firmware after August?

headunit: Alpine iLX-259
Wireless adaptor: Carplay2air (purchase on early Dec 2020)
Current firmware: (20200804)
Current issue:
- mic does not work on iOS 14 iPhone 8P and iPhone X, and mic work on iOS 13.7 iPhone SE
- any firmware in Sept or later does not work on the Alpine

thank you so much in advance!

 

[owking7967]

Good to know. I tried #3 on my CX-5 2018 on the rollback version many times before, but I surrendered while getting the message "Apple CarPlay failed" 5-6 times in a row (mzd version 70.00.367.A). Maybe I have to be more patient next time.
Thanks for sharing your findings, because I'm not aware of hardware differences regarding to the first gen mzd connect. Though I can't comprehend why it will probably work after "x" attempts, other than terminated background activities on the head unit?

Hopefully the carlinkit devs find a way to combine the pros of the rollback and the latest firmwares.

After over a week of test, I can say my approach is nothing more than a workaround. It only gives you a "trial" wireless CarPlay. You know what wireless CarPlay feels like, and that's it. I've met random crashes, sometimes after 30 minutes, sometimes after a few minutes. That's right. You might have "Apple CarPlay failed" 5-6 times or even 10 times in a row. Restarting your engine may help but it's just an illusion. I haven't given up tinkering with this little dongle yet. It's still new to me, but I won't recommend anyone to keep it if they have these issues, no matter for a long trip or a short trip.

Haven't tried the December firmware yet. I won't update it until someone says they fixed the crash and rebooting problems on Mazda vehicles.

dear sir
when i plug it in nothing appears anymore on my car screen
it even starts anymore
how can i reach 192.x
can i put it into my pc ?
i downloaded y'day once again the U2W update
and after that no welcome screen anymore in the car
on my adapter you have 2 lights one blue and one red
when i updating first the red is blinking then both and at the end solid red
means update is finished
when i put now my adapter into a wall socket
no red light anymore
just the blue one
means i can not rollback

pffff
strange

I have no idea. You can either keep trying unplugging and plugging, or flash it manually with a computer in this way: https://github.com/ludwig-v/wireless-carplay-dongle-reverse-engineering/tree/master/Firmware

 

[VLud]

"a lot", not really, just enough to make my device work properly I shouldn't even have to fix their sh*t

The reboot issues many people have can be related to logs which are stored in RAM and can rapidly grow to few MB depending on the car headunit. The device only has 64MB of RAM and can start killing processes if not enough RAM is available (and finally reboot). They removed the way to disable logs from 192.168.50.2 since August (I don't remember exactly, but recently). The custom firmware completely disable logs so all the RAM is used for running processes not saving logs.

Concerning the rest I can't help you, as told earlier, all interesting things (Carplay things) are packed in binaries and we don't have the source code.