Aftermarket carplay on 2017 RX350
#1
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Aftermarket carplay on 2017 RX350
Just installed an aftermarket android box with Apple Carplay dongle to my RX350. The dongle also works with android auto. I don’t have an android phone, so this post is mostly about Apple Carplay.
Pros: looks and works like OEM, keep all factory settings/features (e.g. control with remote touch, birds eyes view, Mark Levinson, use car’s microphone, steering wheel control), keeps all factory hardware, plugs and play, play music via car’s bluetooth and control/browse playlist with the carplay interface.
Cons:apple maps navigation/siri sometimes will be played on the external speaker come with the kit, sometimes need to change the output to bluetooth on the iphone after siri/phone call (which is a bit annoying but acceptable). There is a setting to connect the android box's bluetooth to the Lexus bluetooth. See attached for instruction to turn "Master-On" on setting. All sounds now go through car's speakers.
I bought it on aliexpress from lsailt.
Update: Here is an overview video:
Pros: looks and works like OEM, keep all factory settings/features (e.g. control with remote touch, birds eyes view, Mark Levinson, use car’s microphone, steering wheel control), keeps all factory hardware, plugs and play, play music via car’s bluetooth and control/browse playlist with the carplay interface.
Cons:
I bought it on aliexpress from lsailt.
Update: Here is an overview video:
Last edited by qvtruong; 01-03-19 at 07:02 PM.
#2
omg been waiting for someone to install this! how hard was the install? Does carplay start as soon as you plug in or you have to click a whole bunch of bottons? Can you send us link to which one you bought. I will order asap too!
#4
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https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32832617100.html
the android interface looks different than in the listing (it actually matches the lexus’s home screen, which is great).
the installation is very easy. May take an hour or 2. Just plug and play. However, it doesn’t come with instruction, and since I’m impatient and too excited to try it out, i look up on youtube and figure it out myself. If you contact the seller, he will give the instruction.
When you start the car, it will boot to the lexus interface first. You can get to the android interface by
The connections are fairly simple. The big main power cable will connect to the big connector behind the headunit, and the audio connector in that cable to the 2nd connector next to the big main power. Thankfully you can’t connect it wrong because each has different size matches with the OEM connectors behind the headunit. Just look for the similar size cable, if you are able to conect it, it’s correct.
One 3-prong LVDS cable that has 2 blue ends connect to the one behind the display on the dash (you will see there is the same blue OEM connector). The remaining prong will connect to the android unit. Then a short screen cable that has 2 white connector at each end will connect to the matching connector behind the display (you will see it next to the blue connector).
Next you connect the box’s GPS antenna, the usb cable, and the box’s speaker. If you purchased the one with Carplay option, the Carplay comes preinstalled; just plug in the carplay dongle to the USB cable, then connect to your phone using your lightning cable. I didn't need the AV/CAM, DTV nor touch cable.
That’s all. I have the youtube links below that I used for reference:
Last edited by qvtruong; 10-23-18 at 11:43 AM.
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#6
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I had to cut out some parts that show my location on the screen (I don't know how to blur it out lol), but hopefully you get the idea.
I had to move the apple maps around to hide my exact location, but it works as on other carplay vehicle. Also, Apple maps wont switch to night mode because Apple maps algorithm link that to the headlight on/off (Apple's fault haha). you can mitigate this by decreasing the night time screen brightness in Lexus's display setting, or you can use Google maps at night. Google maps's night mode works perfectly because google links it to the local time on the phone (iphone must be on ios 12 to have google maps, waze, etc.). I dont have pandora, so I showed spotify instead.
Also, I forgot to record it, but after using the birds eyes view/backup camera, it switch back to carplay immediately (I love this).
One thing I wish they improve:
Last edited by qvtruong; 11-06-18 at 08:01 AM.
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#7
Looks great! Have you tried Waze yet? Does Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze show you turn directions on your HUD?
Also how well do phone calls work? Does it go through the box or the car?
P.S. the aliexpress link is broken
Also how well do phone calls work? Does it go through the box or the car?
P.S. the aliexpress link is broken
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#8
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Phone call will go through the car’s speaker. You can initiate a call/voicemail with carplay as well. When you get a call, it will show up on carplay as it should be, then you can pick it up on the screen (I guess the steering wheel also work). Sometimes if it does not go through the car’s speaker when you pick up the phone, you can just change the audio output on your phone to the car’s bluetooth and it will go through the car’s speaker. This is a limitation since the box shows up on iphone as another audio output, so iOS pick an output randomly.
Here is the link. I suggest buying it using aliexpress mobile app because aliexpress give discount for using the app. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32832617100.html
Last edited by qvtruong; 10-22-18 at 10:01 PM.
#11
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for the screen, you pop up the little plastic piece in front of the screen, and pop up the back cover of the screen. There are 3 bolt, 2 in front of the screen, and one in the back on the passenger side. Remove those bolt then you can pull up the screen, you will see cable behind the screen
There is a carplay dongle that plug to the box’s USB cord, then we plug the lightning cable to the dongle.
#13
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Oh you can see in the picture in previous post, the USB cord has one white end to plug to the box, then there are 2 female USB at the other end. I run it outside through the hole near the start/stop button (you will see the hole when you disassemble the headunit). I leave it near my right ankle. Then plug in the carplay dongle, and the lightning cable. I leave the speaker there as well
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