Hyundai expands DIY retrofit for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
If you have the internet and an SD card reader, you can get the retrofit applied in just a few hours.
Back in May, Hyundai announced that owners of certain vehicles could retrofit their rides with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity systems, using an entirely DIY process. It said it would expand this list as time went on, and now it's adding some more vehicles into the mix.
Four models have been added to the list of DIY-upgradeable vehicles -- 2016 Sonata Hybrid, 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, 2016 Veloster and 2015-2016 Azera. Owners can upgrade by heading to MyHyundai.com, equipped with the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the SD card from the navigation system. There are plenty of instructions to make sure it's done right.
Hyundai estimates that the whole process will take a few hours. While it only takes about 40 minutes to upload the software and get it installed in the vehicle, downloading it could take between one and three hours, but that's largely dependent on your local internet speed. Sadly, these cars cannot be upgraded via USB stick, requiring the SD card instead.
Hyundai was the first manufacturer to offer Android Auto back in 2015, and every 2017 model with either Display Audio or Navigation infotainment systems will come with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay installed.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto bring your smartphone environment to your car. Upon plugging your smartphone into the car's USB port, you can control a number of on-phone apps using familiar user interfaces right there on the infotainment screen. Voice command is also implemented to keep distraction to an absolute minimum.