Android Auto for the 718 - via USB or wireless?

[Tony B2]

(Asked as the search function on these forums is now useless)

Is there any non-intrusive solution that can provide Android Auto (wired or wireless) for the 718 platform? I know that Apple CarPlay is supported via USB, but have no wish to ditch my Samsung S22 for an iPhone (been there, done that, will not do it again)

I seem to recall that Porsche is offering an Apple/Android retrofit of some kind for the 997 platform?

Some sort of USB plug-in solution which does not invalidate warranty would be very nice!

[Modi]

Hi

I use https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk/product-page/pcm-4-... for my 718 GT4 with a Samsung Z Fold 3. Once setup works seamlessly

[andygo]

Modi said:

Hi

I use https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk/product-page/pcm-4-... for my 718 GT4 with a Samsung Z Fold 3. Once setup works seamlessly

I have the NM Automotive thing for my 981 GTS. Works brilliantly via bluetooth. Just starts up when I turn the ignition on, phone untouched in my pocket.

Nick at NM is really prompt if you have any questions and doesn't speak with an unintelligble accent (if you get my drift..) which is a big plus.

[john_1983]

I've just installed this and happy with it so far. Does anyone leave it connected when the car is switched off? I locked the car and my phone was still connected to the device, which concerned me in terms of battery drain; I unplugged it from the car once I realised.

[JurassicGTS]

Very interested in this for my Macan GTs and my new 718 BGTS when/if it arrives before end of production.
Also would like to know the impact of battery drain if left connected.

[Lord Nelson]

I have this device which plugs into the USB socket and then provides the wireless interface for Android Auto, however the car needs to have wired Android Auto for this to work. https://www.ottocast.com/products/android-auto-wir...

[JurassicGTS]

andygo said:

I have the NM Automotive thing for my 981 GTS. Works brilliantly via bluetooth. Just starts up when I turn the ignition on, phone untouched in my pocket.

Nick at NM is really prompt if you have any questions and doesn't speak with an unintelligble accent (if you get my drift..) which is a big plus.

Do you have wired car play in your 981?
Not sure what wired car play is or how I find out if my 981 has it?
I have bluetooth and can play Alexa through to the car so should this work in my 981?
Probably just buy one for the Macan and see if it also works in the 981.
Unbelievable that my 718 expected year end still won't have Android Auto

[Tony B2]

Modi said:

Hi

I use https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk/product-page/pcm-4-... for my 718 GT4 with a Samsung Z Fold 3. Once setup works seamlessly

Many thanks for the info.

I have just ordered one!

[DallySingh]

Is this similar to Carlinkit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carlinkit-Wireless-Androi...

My 718 GT4 get's delivered in March and I'm thinking what to do for wireless CarPlay too. From all the reviews and comments I've read regarding these wireless solutions, they seem to be a little hit and miss. Reports of connection dropping and lag when skipping through music.

Has anyone experienced this?

[PetrolHeadPete]

Might be a dumb question...but my BGTS MY23 ...i tried connecting my pixel android phone to the USB in the armrest...nada. Am I being a numpty but should this open AndroidAuto? I launched it on the phone and it said plug in the cable...replugging also did nothing

[mabosh]

PetrolHeadPete said:

Might be a dumb question...but my BGTS MY23 ...i tried connecting my pixel android phone to the USB in the armrest...nada. Am I being a numpty but should this open AndroidAuto? I launched it on the phone and it said plug in the cable...replugging also did nothing

The 718 doesn't come with AA enabled. You'll need one of the gadgets mentioned above. I bought this a couple of weeks ago on the strength of the earlier posts in this thread:

https://www.nmautomotive.co.uk/product-page/pcm-4-...

Works perfectly. The initial price quoted doesn't include VAT/tax or shipping though. I ordered on a Thursday evening, selected special delivery, was posted from Guernsey on the Friday and delivered to me by 10am Saturday morning.

[PetrolHeadPete]

Ahhhh. When I heard folks talking about wired AA needing to be enabled...I assumed that we got wired by default, just not wireless.
Thanks!

[breadvan]

NM automotive appear to have 2 options, wireless AA for £95 or full AA for £345. I'm not sure what's missing with the wireless option?

[mabosh]

breadvan said:

NM automotive appear to have 2 options, wireless AA for £95 or full AA for £345. I'm not sure what's missing with the wireless option?

The dearer option effectively turns your PCM screen into a full blown Android tablet. It will require a data SIM card I think to work fully. You can launch apps, play videos and games etc.

The £95 adapter, more like £120 once you pay tax and shipping, allows you use AA on the PCM, wirelessly via your phone. It basically tricks the car into thinking there is a wired CarPlay connection in place.

[breadvan]

thanks very much, cheers.

[john_1983]

Just to add to the posts above, the NM £95 Android Auto unit connects to the car via the USB in the armrest - your phone connects to the unit wirelessly, although the unit has a second USB connection to allow you to plug your phone into it to charge

[Tony B2]

john_1983 said:

Just to add to the posts above, the NM £95 Android Auto unit connects to the car via the USB in the armrest - your phone connects to the unit wirelessly, although the unit has a second USB connection to allow you to plug your phone into it to charge

Thank you for confirming - this is exactly what I wanted.

The cost of this unit is neatly positioned at less than the £135 annual subscription required to get real time traffic info on the car's nav system.

A one time cost versus an annual subscription makes plenty of sense, plus you can also use Waze and Amigo with speed camera warnings, as well as getting the RTTI.

[john_1983]

Waze has saved me from points on my licence a few times, can't recommend it enough

[Tony B2]

Well, I received this in no time at all (good service from NMAutomotive).

It connects really quickly and easily and it is great to have Waze and Amigo available on the car's screen along with speed camera (and other warnings).

2 problems however whilst in Android Auto mode:-

- it fails to access any of my contact information so I have to enter phone numbers manually
- the steering wheel "pick-up"/"end call" buttons do not respond, so I have to use the main touch screen for these actions.

It is very useful to have the power through capability to keep my phone topped up.

All in all, a very neat and useful product and should not impinge on the warranty (unlike the equivalent box from other sources, for BMWs)

[mabosh]

Tony B2 said:

Well, I received this in no time at all (good service from NMAutomotive).

It connects really quickly and easily and it is great to have Waze and Amigo available on the car's screen along with speed camera (and other warnings).

2 problems however whilst in Android Auto mode:-

- it fails to access any of my contact information so I have to enter phone numbers manually
- the steering wheel "pick-up"/"end call" buttons do not respond, so I have to use the main touch screen for these actions.

It is very useful to have the power through capability to keep my phone topped up.

All in all, a very neat and useful product and should not impinge on the warranty (unlike the equivalent box from other sources, for BMWs)

Just popped out to try this as I'm one of the posters above who has also bought this device.

I've no issue with Contacts, I can see them in the "phone" screen, on a menu along the top for "Favourites" then "History" then "Contacts". Is it a permission issue somewhere? Do you maybe still have the "old" Bluetooth connection in place? I had to delete this during the set-up process to get AA to sync properly.
I
The "End call" button on the wheel works fine. The "Pick-up" button works as well I think for an incoming call. If I press it when there's no incoming call it takes me to the phone screen I mentioned above. I then need to use the button on the PCM itself to scroll down the Contact list. It's the same for Bluetooth only though. I find the voice control works pretty well.