Apple CarPlay for INFINITI QX30 2017-2019 | Android Auto Module Update

Finally Apple CarPlay in my Inifinti! I went to one of the Unavi dealers and the install was quick. I truly enjoy it so far. The only things I notice is a small delay with the back up camera sometimes. The Apple car play has its own speaker and sometimes that plays my music while the speakers play my music. When that happens I plug out my phone and plug it back in and it starts working. Those are the only flaws I’ve noticed within the month of having it. I love it so much I don’t mind the small issues. I recommend!!

I drive a 2019 Infiniti but would look at my friend's 2017 Hyundai Elantra with envy. Because her car has CarPlay. Infiniti introduced CarPlay on the 2020 models. Leaving the rest of us Infiniti drivers, with the worst infotainment system ever, INTOUCH!!! No music app available... no apps at all... besides 2 useless app.

Google searches I found Unavi. So, I figure a $650 upgrade was much better than a $35k or so new car. So, gave it a try. Here are the good, the bad, and the Meh. I will be as objective as possible:

The Good:
1. CarPlay in our car!!!
2. Install guys at main office. They did a great job. I made a couple of requests (mods) to the install. The first being, I do not have a Bose system… so, I had them reroute the external speak to the center speaker location. Since there was not center speaker, this would be a perfect location and get better sound. (Note to installer – rotated speaker on its side and fits perfectly… Note to world - further explanation with be in the Meh section). Second mod was to the AUX output USB wire. I had them reroute, so USB came through bottom of coin tray. This allows the door to close. (Again, further explanation will be in the Meh section).
3. There is an EQ to fine tune CarPlay sound.
4. Did I mention CarPlay!!!

The Bad:
To understand the Bad, I must explain how the system works. It is a separated audio source that "borrows" the cars LCD for user interface. And a couple of buttons are repurposed with secondary functions. (i.e., the "hang up" phone button switches CarPlay on and off. But still hangs up the phone when on a call. The back button on the selector knob, long hold switches the system on and off.
So now the bad:
1. When you are in CarPlay, the selector knob is still active (we cannot see what it is doing, because CarPlay is "borrowing" the screen. You must make a mental note; not to use the selector knob when in CarPlay mode. There are somethings that do work with CarPlay... dimmer button, back button and phone button.
2. Phone calls must handle through Bluetooth, not CarPlay. Must press the steering wheel button and do not get temped to press the incoming call on CarPlay. I press it and the person on the other side will heard themselves as an echo.
3. If music was playing on phone, it will continue CarPlay. This would seem like a plus, but if you have not selected “iPod” on InTouch system, music will play through external speaker. So, radio will play on car stereo and phone will play through external speaker at the same time. Annoying! I just clear all apps on phone… this solves issue.

The Meh:
1. As mention before, this is a separate system that borrows your cars screen. So, any audio source selected beside ‘iPod” will make the audio sound come through the external speaker. This speaker is loud enough to hear on surface streets with moderate music. But at freeway speeds the speaker get drowned out. Must switch to iPhone music source and audio lowers for voice prompts.
2. As mention above; it is not advisable to use the CarPlay phone. Use the car’s Bluetooth connections.
3. As mention above; Must clear the phone music, otherwise it will continue to play on external speaker when connected.
4. QX30 does not have an AUX input. So then use a USB adapter to 3.5mm plug. This renders all music button useless. Skip and back does not work. But on the steering wheel the does work. Next version of this, they should have the audio output mimic the iPod. This way none of the car’s functions will be lost.

I may seem like I am being harsh. CarPlay stands on it own. I did not want to go over the glories of CarPlay. Some people are picky. I am not. There was a slight learning curve. Interesting enough, I got a 2020 Q50 loaner. The CarPlay felt no different than this. The only difference was just a little more integration of buttons… but still felt like an afterthought.

Would I do it again…? The pluses of CarPlay outweighs the minuses of this implementation. So, Yes…

Purchased the update module to add Car Play/Android Auto to our 2019 Infiniti QX50. Unfortunately Infiniti didn't add that option until the 2020 model year. This is an update, not a replacement, so it retains the original screen and all original functions (automatic camera views, steering control integration, etc.) and adds Car Play and Android Auto. The installation manual was very thorough, and the biggest challenge for our installer was the car itself, not the Unavi module. The installer also routed the USB cable through the covered center console storage and I added a 90-degree USB adapter (see photos) from Amazon to allow us to close the cover while still leaving the phone cable plugged in. The module uses the iPod input to connect the phone to the stereo system so you retain the original factory options (e.g. satellite, FM, etc.) if you wish to use those. You can even use the original navigation in case you miss the 1990s-era GPS experience. Unfortunately the USB adapter blocks the second USB port, but there is an additional charging port in the large storage compartment. The cover provides a stable place to leave the phone while driving, so I consider it worth the trade-off.

It's not a 100% seamless integration (steering console display shows "iPad" and doesn't have track information, reverse camera will give a brief glimpse of the original OEM navigation before switching back to CP/AA), but given that we were able to keep the original equipment and integrations, and that there really isn't any other option, this is an excellent option to add iPhone or Android features to the QX50.

I had a great experience meeting everybody and they did a wonderful job on updating my Infiniti QX30. Love my Apple play and new dash cam !