Missing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in your new car? Here's the solution.
Sometimes it comes down to timing.
That's the case with my personal 2018 Subaru Levorg 1.6 GT anyway. Despite being a later 'facelift' model with the better suspension set-up, it was born just a few months before Subaru introduced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range.
Thankfully, Automotive Superstore has come to the rescue. Even though my Subaru has factory-fitted steering wheel controls, integrated climate controls, a factory rear-view camera and pre-existing USB ports, it's possible to plug-and-play a new stereo and integrate every standard feature without cutting a single wire.
It also means the process is completely reversible, in case you want to return the car back to original. What surprised me more is that the team at Automotive Superstore suggested that I, with little to no skill, could retrofit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the Subaru in less than two hours.
In order to explain the process, we've broken it down step-by-step – with all the part numbers too – so you can see how it comes together.
The first step is to acquire your parts. The job we're carrying out is the installation of a Sony 7.0-inch CarPlay and Android Auto stereo into a 2018 Subaru Levorg 1.6 GT.
Automotive Superstore's website allows you to enter your car's details to discern what parts you need easily. Aside from requiring a stereo, it showed that my Subaru also required a selection of plug-and-play wiring looms, including steering wheel controls and factory USB port adapter, and a fascia kit to integrate the system neatly.
Everything I needed other than the stereo is made by an Australian-owned business called Aerpro. Its website also has a great tool complete with visual pictures and print-outs to explain things.
The need to cross-reference and double-check the wiring looms required – via both websites – was vitally important in the case of my 2018 Subaru Levorg 1.6 GT.
My car in particular is a very early 'facelift' or 'crossover' vehicle, meaning it wasn't obvious which vehicle-side loom would fit. However, checking both websites revealed the right answer.
I'll include a parts list below, but what you're buying are wiring looms that interface with the vehicle's standard plugs for its stereo, factory USB port, rear-view camera and antenna that adapt them to suit the internationally recognised ISO standard.
It may be daunting to pull apart your car, but don't be worried. Make sure you trawl the internet DIY guides and YouTube videos, as chances are someone has pulled apart your car before and documented it online.
After all, knowing where the bolts are hidden certainly helps. Another thing that helps is some gusto, too, as if your car has never been apart before, like mine, some of the trims will require some strong tugs and ample prying to break free.
Be sure to invest in a set of automotive trim tools, as seen in the pictures. Not only do they make life easier, but their soft plastic material means they won't damage as you pry about. The only other tools I required were a 1/4-inch socket set, ratchet, medium-sized extension, and Phillips head screwdriver.
I also laid a soft cloth down when removing the stereo, as its sharp metal edges could have damaged the interior, too. It pays to go slow and steady, but even on my first attempt, I had the stereo out within 30 minutes.
Once everything was out, it was time to make sure the parts fit.
Before unboxing everything and going nuts, it's worth taking the time to assemble the wiring in order.
As I mentioned earlier, there was some confusion on which vehicle-side wiring my 'crossover' 2018 Subaru Levorg required. Checking against the car made it clear we had the right gear. Afterward, we plugged in the Sony-specific side, which powered up the unit a treat.
It didn't end there, however. As I wanted the factory USB port to enable both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, I needed to connect Subaru's unique USB wiring to Sony's standard USB type-A connection.
That's where Aerpro's USB adaptor (APSUUSB1) saved the day. It is possible to run a new USB cable directly from the back of the unit into a new location, but for $20 extra, using the adaptor means everything looks and functions as the factory intended. Worth the spend, in my books.
Other things to check include the steering wheel controls' computer and rear-view camera functionality. Don't panic if your steering wheel controls don't function right away, as in the case of my Sony stereo, I had to map out the buttons before they started working. Phew.
Lastly, I ran a new microphone as the factory one is poor. In the case of a Subaru Levorg, you gently pry the A-pillar trim off, and run the cable alongside the existing wiring loom and behind the curtain airbag. Check the pictures for a more visual explanation.
Once you're sure everything fits and works, you can begin reassembling the car.
Once you've tested the stereo, speakers, rear-view camera, microphone, and steering wheel controls, it's time to reassemble.
However, putting things back in is harder than taking them out. The factory brackets (removed from the old stereo) need to be carefully positioned on the new stereo to ensure it fits appropriately.
They can be bolted up in myriad ways, meaning you'll be spending some time lifting the stereo in and out until you've achieved a factory-quality fitment. They're also labelled left and right, so be sure to follow the instructions on the parts themselves. Another trick is to mock-fit the fascia, just to check you're happy with the stereo's positioning.
More complexity specific to my Subaru came from the need to relocate the climate-control unit. Though it sounds challenging, it was as simple as removing four screws, popping the whole unit out, then reassembling it in the new fascia kit.
You'll notice that you'll be left with a lot of wiring to hide and bury behind the dashboard. A neat solution I found with my stereo of choice – most will be the same – is that the physical component behind the screen is actually half the size.
It means you'll find ample space to tuck the wiring behind the screen and under the body of the stereo itself, instead of shoving it down behind the dash where the plastic parts of the wiring have the chance to rattle against the frame of the car.
Once again, take your time, and don't tighten anything until you know it fits right and works!
In under two hours, I had successfully installed the latest-and-greatest smartphone tech into our family car. As you can see from the photos, the integration looks remarkably close to a factory set-up.
Everything from the factory rear-view camera, steering wheel controls and lower USB port are neatly integrated into the new stereo and functioning as intended too.
Aside from the benefit of now using Siri, Google Maps and text messaging via voice control, the Subaru's speakers have never sounded better. Clearly the new amplifier circuitry and software results in a better signal for the speakers, which means I don't have to upgrade the speakers like I first thought.
After more than a decade working in the product planning and marketing departments of brands like Kia, Subaru and Peugeot, Justin Narayan returned to being a motoring writer – the very first job he held in the industry.
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Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
DAP Pricing– Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs.