2019 WRX and STi get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto... BUT

[LouCioccio]

The one I saw at 12volt site from one the tech's Dara said mid summer 2019 for the 2018's.
I was able to get my 2018 Forester to work using the su2 harness, Toyota to2 antenna needed only one cable. I used t-taps at the red & blue wires. STARLINK works a t-tap there. The firmware for the RR was 2017 Foz all controls on the steering works, SIRI will let me call,send messages and read , play my playlist with voice commands. Apple Carplay works! The radio is Kenwood 9904s did not try any of the usb adaptors to make the previous usb was not sure if it would work. Use a step drill to make a hole opposite of 12vdc in the cubby hole in front of the gear shift. That had a dual USB port and it does charge the iPhone. Otherwise I am pleased the only gauges that work is battery and gas gauge on the radio as I was warned the rest may not work.
Lou Cioccio

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[6MT_WRX]

https://www.ramseysubaru.net/apple-carplay.htm

[protivakid]

Originally Posted by 6MT_WRX

https://www.ramseysubaru.net/apple-carplay.htm

Wow I never thought I'd see a dealer offer this. If they are including the '15 models then they must be swapping in whole new HU's not just updating the software. I wonder if it's a new OEM or aftermarket unit. The HU goes for $2,000 alone so I'd bet this is a $2,500 service

-Chris

[levibuzolic]

Originally Posted by protivakid

Wow I never thought I'd see a dealer offer this. If they are including the '15 models then they must be swapping in whole new HU's not just updating the software. I wonder if it's a new OEM or aftermarket unit. The HU goes for $2,000 alone so I'd bet this is a $2,500 service



-Chris

It’s been posted before. It’s an aftermarket unit.

[aSquard]

I'm interested in this for the HOPE (longshot, I'm sure) that a harness can be made to swap in a 16+ Navi w/HK into my 2015 WRX Limited... Hell, I'd take the 16-18 Nav/HK as it's WAY better than the 15 version.

I've already got the 2017 gamepad steering wheel so the SWC don't work properly, which I assume will be sorted out with the updated OEM head unit so we'll see, otherwise it's off to the aftermarket though I'd like to stay as close to OEM as possible.

[levibuzolic]

Originally Posted by aSquard

I'm interested in this for the HOPE (longshot, I'm sure) that a harness can be made to swap in a 16+ Navi w/HK into my 2015 WRX Limited... Hell, I'd take the 16-18 Nav/HK as it's WAY better than the 15 version.



I've already got the 2017 gamepad steering wheel so the SWC don't work properly, which I assume will be sorted out with the updated OEM head unit so we'll see, otherwise it's off to the aftermarket though I'd like to stay as close to OEM as possible.

You’ll need the head unit, amp, harnesses for both and probably some custom wiring.

TBH it’d cost a lot less and be much easier to just go aftermarket.

[protivakid]

Originally Posted by levibuzolic

It’s been posted before. It’s an aftermarket unit.

Do you know what aftermarket unit they use? If it's not OEM I have no desire.

I did call but the woman on the phone sounded very confused. She went to ask someone who said that they facilitate the job but use an outside vendor to do the work. Overall it's about $2000 she said.

[shadow1]

Subscribed to see if anyone tries the 19 HK HU in a 16-18 WRX Limited.

[oichan]

I still can't get my 19's HK stereo's CarPlay to work properly (random disconnects). I wouldn't bother. Go aftermarket if you don't have HK already.. unless you want the NAV. The NAV is pretty nice. The HK audio is good too, a lot better than the HK in my 2016 STI.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by protivakid

Do you know what aftermarket unit they use? If it's not OEM I have no desire.

I did call but the woman on the phone sounded very confused. She went to ask someone who said that they facilitate the job but use an outside vendor to do the work. Overall it's about $2000 she said.

Yeah, that's ridiculous. If they use aftermarket, then it certainly should cost less than $2000 even with a professional installation using iDL Maestro RR integration.

[chicotunner07]

So does anyone have a clear picture of the 2019 WRX and sti headunits to compare to the 2018? I have a 2018 sti and not having Android auto sucks. I want to know if I should wait around for a used oem unit or just go the aftermarket route. Would like to keep it oem if possible.

[BluPrynt78]

I’m so close to pulling the trigger on the ‘19 unit.
I “NEED” CarPlay and I want to retain the stock look in my ‘17.

[oichan]

My 19 WRX Limited's HK stereo still has random disconnect issues with CarPlay.

[Subie Muchacho]

Originally Posted by oichan

My 19 WRX Limited's HK stereo still has random disconnect issues with CarPlay.

That sucks. Have you checked with your dealership to see if there is a new firmware to fix the issue? I would hope that if you tell the service people they'll at least check if there is new firmware. That sounds like a legit issue that should be taken seriously and covered under warranty. I once tried out CarPlay in a 2019 STI with HK at a dealership and experienced sound skipping when playing downloaded songs on my phone. So to me this definitely sounds like Subaru needs to take notice. I wonder if it happens with the non-HK head units too.

[protivakid]

Originally Posted by BluPrynt78

I’m so close to pulling the trigger on the ‘19 unit.
I “NEED” CarPlay and I want to retain the stock look in my ‘17.

What price did you get it down to? Cheapest I found was $1600 after a 30% off coupon deal last month but couldn't at that price not knowing if it would for sure work. At the very least I know the connector that detects if your door is open/closed is different.

[oichan]

Originally Posted by Subie Muchacho

That sucks. Have you checked with your dealership to see if there is a new firmware to fix the issue? I would hope that if you tell the service people they'll at least check if there is new firmware. That sounds like a legit issue that should be taken seriously and covered under warranty. I once tried out CarPlay in a 2019 STI with HK at a dealership and experienced sound skipping when playing downloaded songs on my phone. So to me this definitely sounds like Subaru needs to take notice. I wonder if it happens with the non-HK head units too.

I've not bothered to go back to the dealer as the only update I saw was for the NAV which I installed a few months back. It did nothing to fix the CarPlay issue, but did fix some of the bugs on the NAV. Once I have concrete information that HK released a fix for this common issue, I will either update myself or take the car in.

From the read, Android Auto apparently works with the HK stereo, and the non-HK work fine for both Android Auto and CarPlay. My phone works fine on my MK7 Golf-R's HU which support CarPlay so I believe it's the HU and not my iPhone. I tried the same lightening cable, even a super short one, etc. no luck

I can restrict CarPlay not to launch on my iPhone when connected to the HU, so I just listen to my iPhone's playlists off the HU's player, etc. For text I use Siri so it's all hands free. Factory NAV is actually pretty good so I just use that.. so it's not a huge deal. It'd be nice if it worked though.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by oichan

I've not bothered to go back to the dealer as the only update I saw was for the NAV which I installed a few months back. It did nothing to fix the CarPlay issue, but did fix some of the bugs on the NAV. Once I have concrete information that HK released a fix for this common issue, I will either update myself or take the car in.

From the read, Android Auto apparently works with the HK stereo, and the non-HK work fine for both Android Auto and CarPlay. My phone works fine on my MK7 Golf-R's HU which support CarPlay so I believe it's the HU and not my iPhone. I tried the same lightening cable, even a super short one, etc. no luck

I can restrict CarPlay not to launch on my iPhone when connected to the HU, so I just listen to my iPhone's playlists off the HU's player, etc. For text I use Siri so it's all hands free. Factory NAV is actually pretty good so I just use that.. so it's not a huge deal. It'd be nice if it worked though.

Sounds like a good excuse to get a decent carplay compatible DVD player (if you want to keep disc play capability) or Multimedia player. Only problem being that to keep using your HK system, you'll need the MRR2 (not sure the trick to get the MRR to work with the 2018s works with the 2019s) from iDL, and they haven't gotten that working with Subarus yet (grrrrrr).

I find the stock non-HK unit is a bit slow at times, and I'd LIKE to use a system with better audio processing capability and outputs that would allow me to more easily upgrade and expand the audio system, but.... oh well.

At least with the 2019's HU (since I use AA), the audio quality doesn't actively suck. Though if I was forced to play through BT only, it would (I tested audio quality through my phone first through starlink's pandora app, ie through BT audio, and then through the USB cable using pandora on AA). Audio quality when played through AA (and CarPlay, I suspect. unless CarPlay uses BT not just for control inputs but also for audio streaming) is markedly superior to BT. Over BT, the audio has definite distortion like the audio source is overly compressed by the transmit medium (like when you hear a high quality audio source try and be played over your cell phone's speaker during a call instead of through Wi-Fi or mobile data). So either BT is a serious limiting factor OR the 2019 HU's BT processing sucks (I suspect the latter). BUT, the processing for AA is much better.

[oichan]

Yeah, I'm honestly okay with the HU for now as my STI's HK isn't compatible with CarPlay either and I've been quite happy with the audio quality on both cars.

If my son wants to mess with an aftermarket HU down the road he can, but while I'm driving the car for another years or so before I give it to my kids, it's fine.

[BluPrynt78]

Originally Posted by protivakid

What price did you get it down to? Cheapest I found was $1600 after a 30% off coupon deal last month but couldn't at that price not knowing if it would for sure work. At the very least I know the connector that detects if your door is open/closed is different.

I contacted Parts for pricing and fitment/compatibility.
They quoted me $2100 (without labor but I have my own guy) and also told me that the harness would be the biggest issue.

[Deebo16]

I just traded in my 2017 WRX Premium for a 2019 WRX Premium. The radio is definitely "newer" looking compared. Also having the CarPlay is nice. The only issue I'm seeing without really digging into it is that I can't use CarPlay through Bluetooth. Not sure if that's normal, but I would've hoped that I had that ability. The sound is definitely better by A LOT. I still think will be changing the speakers in the future and adding a sub. Granted it's only been day 2 so I'm sure I'll find more issues, but hopefully nothing serious.

[Subie Muchacho]

Originally Posted by Deebo16

I just traded in my 2017 WRX Premium for a 2019 WRX Premium. The radio is definitely "newer" looking compared. Also having the CarPlay is nice. The only issue I'm seeing without really digging into it is that I can't use CarPlay through Bluetooth. Not sure if that's normal, but I would've hoped that I had that ability. The sound is definitely better by A LOT. I still think will be changing the speakers in the future and adding a sub. Granted it's only been day 2 so I'm sure I'll find more issues, but hopefully nothing serious.

CarPlay does not work via Bluetooth. It requires more bandwidth than Bluetooth can provide. If you want wireless CarPlay you’d have to go aftermarket. If I’m not mistaken, wireless CarPlay works via Wi-Fi. None of the 2019 WRX models have wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.

[brettjson]

Originally Posted by Subie Muchacho

CarPlay does not work via Bluetooth. It requires more bandwidth than Bluetooth can provide. If you want wireless CarPlay you’d have to go aftermarket. If I’m not mistaken, wireless CarPlay works via Wi-Fi. None of the 2019 WRX models have wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.

Correct. The handshake is bluetooth, but the connection is wifi. Very few OEM systems have wireless carplay. BMW is one of them, but I think you have to pay them a yearly fee to use it (which is absolutely ridiculous as BMW is not actually providing anything for that money).

[Subie Muchacho]

So does anyone have any new info on 2019 HK/Nav HU working with 2018 or below WRX/WRX STI? Pictures of the back, etc, etc... Trying to keep this thread alive fellas

[gunz4me]

Originally Posted by Subie Muchacho

So does anyone have any new info on 2019 HK/Nav HU working with 2018 or below WRX/WRX STI? Pictures of the back, etc, etc... Trying to keep this thread alive fellas

Oddly, I was told the connectors were different for the 2019 model year versus the other model years. Crutchfield went as far to say that I would need to cut and splice wires to install an aftermarket radio because they had no adapter harnesses.

Regardless, my HK radio, amp, and Starlink box will be sitting on a shelf in my closet as soon as I get my harnesses from AutoHarnessHouse. I'll probably go full aftermarket sound when it cools off outside. If I had known the HK/Starlink setup was going to be such a buggy POS, I may have snagged one the Base WRXs instead of the Limited that my local dealership had. It's not like Subaru was ever known for having a good factory sound system anyhow.

[shadow1]

Correct. The 2019 harness is completely different from 2015-2018.