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So just to be clear, on the CP2A boot screen, you can't hit the home button on the lower left? Also, within Apple CarPlay, you don't have a Ford icon to go back to the Ford system? On my Maserati, I have a Maserati button that takes me out of CarPlay.


Early Results and Observations (20 minute drive to work): So on my USB-C unit which replaced my CP2A both running 1.22, boot time is definitely faster and skipping tracks both with steering wheel and screen is MUCH faster, almost instantaneous and damn close to wired CarPlay. I'd say this is a given even though it was only a 20 minute drive, but I skipped songs about 20 times to test. The screen changes immediately and the tack audio is right with it. I also did not notice any song audio drops or skips, but this was super random and split second, so I will reserve this win for more testing.

There is definitely something different about the USB-C 2.0 version.

I've got the other USB-C dongle on ebay, but if anyone is interested, PM me and I'll give you a fair price and ship ASAP. In box with everything.
PM sent
 
All very interesting.... LarryJoe i am glad your Ribbon cable worked. I was worried about your phone/car play being a pain with the adapter. Nice to know its an option for people.

Perhaps the CPU and RAM allotment is better in the USBC ones even though the chip layout looks the same from the photos.

Still weirded out the USB-C version is not supposedly upgradeable by the firmware we have here. Of course if it does not work well anyway and your within your return period with someplace like Amazon then the risk of lost $ is lower. The manual firmware update process is pretty easy once you know how (at least on the non USB-C versions). Always good to be cautious.

I agree with the logic that they feel that 1.22 is better for most people but certainly not for all. I started well with 1.22 after the OTA update and then it was not usable after an IOS update. I had to switch to 3.04 or or return it. 3.06 was not good at all for me either.

* One thing that would be nice is if it one firmware really good work for all. That just does not seem to be the case. Guess there is too much variability in Carplay AV units.
 
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I'm using CP2A for more then 2 months and 2 phones are working more or less correctly: in some rare case I need to disconnect/connect USB dongle.
Issue I discovered is problem with my touch screen when I need to administer CP2A dongle. I can't select which phone I want to connect to neither delete any ot them from CP2A because touch screen is not responding. It is not possible to go back to Ford menu nor to choose another language. Ones when CarPlay is working I have full response from touch screen but not before that. Obviously, there is no problem with touch screen in my car because everywhere else except on CP2A screen. My car is Ford C-max 2017 with Sync3 3.0 latest available infotainment SW available. It looks to me that CP2A doesn't consider there are only touch screen used to control CP2A.
I contacted CP2A support and after their request I upload my log file from USB dongle to their server. I got reply from them with answer about upgrade which will be available soon. I hope with fix for my problem.
Does anybody discover something similar in your cars?

Regards//

I had this with the older firmware the march firmware fixes the issue with no buttons working on the interface with Sync.
 
USB-C version for $105


Not sure what's going on? There is a 5% discount coupon, but total of $20 off at checkout. A long wait for delivery.
 

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USB-C version for $105


Not sure what's going on? There is a 5% discount coupon, but total of $20 off at checkout. A long wait for delivery.

Maybe because it takes 2 months to ship here? I know, I bought one drone Amazon. 6 weeks.
 
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Yeah the ones with long ship times straight from China are cheaper since the beginning because people do not like to wait. I know some have paid for faster shipping.
 
Hi everyone,

I bought my Carlinkit on Aliexpress and received it last week.
I installed it on my mercedes Classe A of 2016, but I have a very annoying problem.

Everything works fine except the music.
When I launch a music by Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify or other the song works correctly for about 1 minute then Apple CarPlay freezes on my Mercedes screen, the music crashes and the CarPlay interface Restarts!

I’ve tried two differents iphones and the same thing is happening.

I repeat all the rest of the functionalities work perfectly without restarting.

I have the latest firmware version 2020.01.22.2233.

Anyone have an idea to help me please? thank you so much

watch these videos to understand the problem :



 
Has anyone tried Carlinkit on a 2020 Buick Encore? I just bought one and am wondering if it works with this vehicle. It has Apple CarPlay on their infotainment system.
 
Having read all the feedback on the USB-C version is making me contemplate on purchasing one to replace my non-USB-C version. 🤪
 
Hi All,

I am new here and just skimmed this very long thread. I have a 2017 Porsche with wired apple carplay that works great with my iphone 11. I realise all options are not gauranteed as this is a hack, but is my safest bet to get the latest USB-C version direct from carlinkit? There seems to be an ebay seller carlinkit-2019 that has these for sale for about US$130 (though I am buying to Australia for a lot more AU$!!). Amazon is a bit more difficult for me for Australia delivery.

Cheers!
 
Zeyon you have the latest OTA or over the air update. Not the latest firmware. To our knowledge the latest is 3.18. The versions are based on the build date of the firmware in this instance Jan 22 versus March 18. The Non-USB-C version of the Carlinkit can be flashed with firmware stored here March 4 and 6th. For a number of us the March 4th Firmware is the best. There is variability in what is best because of differences in AV units OEM and aftermarket and to an extent version of IOS software.

The USB-C model while largely similar seems to ship with either March 18 or Jan 22nd. Carlnkit claims these models can not be flashed up or down. To my knowledge no one here as yet tried.

You can submit your logs to carlinkit and they may provide you an update firmware. Or you can try the March 4th firmware page 73 and 93 if I recall. You will need USB memory stick fat32 8gb or smaller.

I would generally only flash if your having an issue and your within your return period and you bought from somewhere with a decent return policy like Amazon.
 
Hi all!

So.. as many of you are, I also have some problems with Carlinkit. The model I have is the USB-C one (software version is 3.18), and as you can see on the video it’s glitchy as hell :(

Have someone experienced this behavior? The picture is very glitchy and sometimes becomes unresponsive to inputs. Music works fine though.

The car is VW Golf Mk7

 
Zeyon you have the latest OTA or over the air update. Not the latest firmware. To our knowledge the latest is 3.18. The versions are based on the build date of the firmware in this instance Jan 22 versus March 18. The Non-USB-C version of the Carlinkit can be flashed with firmware stored here March 4 and 6th. For a number of us the March 4th Firmware is the best. There is variability in what is best because of differences in AV units OEM and aftermarket and to an extent version of IOS software.

The USB-C model while largely similar seems to ship with either March 18 or Jan 22nd. Carlnkit claims these models can not be flashed up or down. To my knowledge no one here as yet tried.

You can submit your logs to carlinkit and they may provide you an update firmware. Or you can try the March 4th firmware page 73 and 93 if I recall. You will need USB memory stick fat32 8gb or smaller.

I would generally only flash if your having an issue and your within your return period and you bought from somewhere with a decent return policy like Amazon.

thanks you for all advices anthover! ;)

Are there any members who managed to flash the firmware of their non usb-c carlinkit here? Is it too risky to try or is it easy?
 
Hi All,

I am new here and just skimmed this very long thread. I have a 2017 Porsche with wired apple carplay that works great with my iphone 11. I realise all options are not gauranteed as this is a hack, but is my safest bet to get the latest USB-C version direct from carlinkit? There seems to be an ebay seller carlinkit-2019 that has these for sale for about US$130 (though I am buying to Australia for a lot more AU$!!). Amazon is a bit more difficult for me for Australia delivery.

Cheers!

Hi there. I usually wouldn’t say this with such confidence, but the USB-C version or even the older one will work fine with your Porsche. I read a lot of threads on these before buying and one long one on a Porsche board and it worked similar to how mine works in my Maserati. I’m pretty sure they nailed Porsche early on.
 
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Yes Zeyon that is what a lot of this thread has been about firmware versions and flashing. I should note that OTA/Over the Air updates are also flashing only the source of the firmware file is different. I personally went from what ever the Carlinkit shipped with to 1.22 via OTA firmware update... Then when an IOS update caused trouble I flashed up to 3.06 and then down to 3.04 where I have been very happy. Many people on this forum have flashed their firmware up and down, at least on the non USB-C models.

The process is not complicated prepare/format a flash drive fat32 format and copy the flash file to it. You will need a USB charging brick even a little 5 watt one that came with most Iphones for last 10 years works.

Then plug in the USB stick into the carlinkit and the Carlinkit it into the USB charger brick.

The lights on the Carlinkit start red and then glow red and blue after a little while which indicates the update is complete. I would wait a while after like a minute just to be sure its really done.

Any firmware update of any device has a small risk of bricking in particular if the process is interrupted before its complete. Like we have said ideally you will do your updates while your within your purchase return period from a reputable seller. That said if I had a device that had gps issues where the car was floating all over the map and had no idea where it was and or audio issue I would not personally hesitate to update again. This is why I had to update from 1.22 to 3.04 after also trying 3.06.
 
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Ive just swapped the supplied usb-c cable with an Anker one. While its 3ft long I can live with that. Had to shave the rubber moulding a little to get it to fit but boot up time seems a little quicker. Hoping the new cable eradicates the occasional connection error.
 
Ive just swapped the supplied usb-c cable with an Anker one. While its 3ft long I can live with that. Had to shave the rubber moulding a little to get it to fit but boot up time seems a little quicker. Hoping the new cable eradicates the occasional connection error.

My set up is a bit different but I’m using Anker adapters on a usb to micro usb cable and they fit fine.

Edit, look back on my posts here 2-5 pages. I’ve linked to my cable setup. Mind you, my choice of a ribbon cable was purely so I can shut the door where my inputs are on my car and bury the Dongle in there. But I’m positive the anker adapters fit in without shaving, so if you find a more traditional USB male to micro USB male and stick one of the adapter on the end, your good to go. No shaving.

Edit 2 (I’m bored). Here you go:

This

AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Micro B Charger Cable, 3 feet, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711PVX6Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Oc9YEb128Q38T

With this:

[2 in 1 Pack] Anker USB-C (Male)... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AHKYIRS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


You can probably find a shorter one if you search hard.
 
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Yes Zeyon that is what a lot of this thread has been about firmware versions and flashing. I should note that OTA/Over the Air updates are also flashing only the source of the firmware file is different. I personally went from what ever the Carlinkit shipped with to 1.22 via OTA firmware update... Then when an IOS update caused trouble I flashed up to 3.06 and then down to 3.04 where I have been very happy. Many people on this forum have flashed their firmware up and down, at least on the non USB-C models.

The process is not complicated prepare/format a flash drive fat32 format and copy the flash file to it. You will need a USB charging brick even a little 5 watt one that came with most Iphones for last 10 years works.

Then plug in the USB stick into the carlinkit and the Carlinkit it into the USB charger brick.

The lights on the Carlinkit start red and then glow red and blue after a little while which indicates the update is complete. I would wait a while after like a minute just to be sure its really done.

Any firmware update of any device has a small risk of bricking in particular if the process is interrupted before its complete. Like we have said ideally you will do your updates while your within your purchase return period from a reputable seller. That said if I had a device that had gps issues where the car was floating all over the map and had no idea where it was and or audio issue I would not personally hesitate to update again. This is why I had to update fro, 1.22 to 3.04 after also trying 3.06.
I managed to flash my Carlinkit very easily indeed. I first tried firmware 3.06 but I had the same problem as with 1.22 but in addition CarPlay restarts all 2 miniutes but if I do nothing.
So I tried firmware 3.04 and it's the same :(
Anyone have firmware 1.22 that I can reflash my CarLinkit and at least be able to use it without music?

Thank you

 
Hi there. I usually wouldn’t say this with such confidence, but the USB-C version or even the older one will work fine with your Porsche. I read a lot of threads on these before buying and one long one on a Porsche board and it worked similar to how mine works in my Maserati. I’m pretty sure they nailed Porsche early on.

Thanks for that! So given the current situation where it seems the later USB-C version cannot be firmware upgraded, but may have faster boot time... which would be the preferred option out of the earlier non-USB-C and the later USB-S version?
 
Has anyone tried Carlinkit on a 2020 Buick Encore? I just bought one and am wondering if it works with this vehicle. It has Apple CarPlay on their infotainment system.
Though to know. I had the USB version working perfectly on a VW GTI. It simply did not work in my 2020 Malibu or my wife’s 2019 Equinox. Both have the identical GM 8” MyLink system. At least a couple of other GM owners (Silverado for one) do have it working. I’ve got a USB-C version coming and will see if that makes any difference. I have my doubts. Best advice here is to get the Amazon Prime version which is easily returned if needed.

Unfortunately the sellers of these are zero help in answering these questions.
 
Thanks for that! So given the current situation where it seems the later USB-C version cannot be firmware upgraded, but may have faster boot time... which would be the preferred option out of the earlier non-USB-C and the later USB-S version?

Hmmm.....that’s a tough one. I guess it probably makes to give up the speed and stick with the older units to be able to flash them with the older firmware only now available through people that saved it.
 
YOU CAN NOT DO A MANUAL UPDATE OR DOWNGRADE TO THE USB-c adapter. I bought one that came with 3-18-20 for my second truck. 3-18-20 didn’t work well it would start shuttering the sound after a few minutes or so. I did the manual down grade to 3-6-20 as that one works great on my work truck using a Carplay2air adapter and bricked the new USB-c dongle. Per messages with Carlinkit it’s not possible to manually update or down grade firmware on USB-c it’s now stuck in needs activation and will not activate with the user names and passwords Carlinkit provided.

This is another example where the new version hardware can’t be exactly the same or it would be manually up/downgradeable. Curious, what was their resolution for you when you down flashed it and was stuck in activation? Full brick return?
 
This is another example where the new version hardware can’t be exactly the same or it would be manually up/downgradeable. Curious, what was their resolution for you when you down flashed it and was stuck in activation? Full brick return?

They offered me a replacement if I sent the bricked unit in. I let them know I downgraded the firmware to 3-6-20 then back to the official 1-22-20 but was not able to get activated with multiple accounts and passwords provided by them. One thing is for sure Carlinkit is a good company and is willing to help even if it’s not their issue since I caused the problem.
 
I have 1.22 I actually pulled it off their update server. It is very important to save firmware files in name dated folders as the file name is all the same (U2W_Update.img). I will not have access to my laptop with it until Tuesday afternoon but I posted the carlinkit download for 1.22 below, the same location the the OTA uses. Unless they pulled that too which i doubt. Otherwise no one could do an OTA update to 1.22

http://112.74.112.110/download/2020-01-22/U2W_Update.img

Another poster provided this format below for "looking for updates for different dates. I have not looked for a while but checked every date from Jan23 to May if i recall a while back.


Good Luck.
 
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They offered me a replacement if I sent the bricked unit in. I let them know I downgraded the firmware to 3-6-20 then back to the official 1-22-20 but was not able to get activated with multiple accounts and passwords provided by them. One thing is for sure Carlinkit is a good company and is willing to help even if it’s not their issue since I caused the problem.

Thanks. Interesting that it wasn’t black and white to them that it was bricked and they tried a few different logins. I do wonder if you just had a bad update gone south (like me with the old one) and that maybe the USB-Cs might be upgradable. I’m not trying . Yes, they are a good company. Very responsive.
 
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