An Update To My Stories On Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Updates Via Hyundai Canada
This part weekend, I was on the Greg Carrasco Show on AM640 radio talking about living with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited over the past year. You can hear the audio from that show here and you can read about my first year with the Hyundai Tucson here. But if you scroll to an hour into the show, you’ll hear someone with a Hyundai Santa Fe complain about not being able to get an update to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for free to his vehicle. You’ll recall that I’ve covered this at length. Here’s a quick recap:
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This story started when Hyundai USA started offering free upgrades to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Canadians were left out of the loop.
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Then Hyundai Canada kind of threw cold water on Canadians ever getting these upgrades.
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This was followed by a tip from a user on the Hyundai Forums that MnSOFT which is the part of Hyundai that makes the software for their infotainment systems had an paid update to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that was rolling out. That of course set off a firestorm among Hyundai owners in Canada who wanted a free update just like the Americans, not to mention Ford and FCA owners in Canada among others who get functionality like this for free.
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That led me to speak with Chad Heard who is the Sr. Manager for PR at Hyundai Canada to get the facts. At the time I spoke to him, he came across as being very forthright. For example he admitted that what MnSOFT did in terms of releasing updates that brought Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to some Hyundai vehicles caught Hyundai Canada off guard. He also expressed that they were working on bringing this functionality to vehicles somehow as well.
- At the end of August, changes were made to the Hyundai Canada website that indicated that Apple CarPlay was coming to 2017 Hyundai vehicles and there appeared to be an update path being developed. When I reached out to Chad Heard who is the Sr. Manager for PR at Hyundai Canada, he said that Hyundai Canada has in dealer showrooms today six 2017 models (Elantra sedan, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL, Elantra GT, Sonata (not hybrid), and Tucson) that are built from the factory with Android Auto. Three of those (Elantra GT, Sonata (not hybrid), and Tucson) are also equipped with Apple CarPlay. They are prioritizing 2017 model year vehicles. Within that a software update for existing, sold, 2017 model year Android Auto-only models (Elantra sedan, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL) currently with customers to bring them Apple CarPlay functionality is something that is being worked on. But there was no timeline that he could speak to.
Earlier today, I reached out to Mr. Heard again. Here’s part of what he said:
Our priority remains 2017 model year Hyundai vehicles and that has to be our singular focus for now. Google, Apple, and Hyundai needed more time to modify and verify the software for Canadian market vehicles relative to the U.S., so the introduction of the technology was implemented for 2017 model year vehicles. It’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll have an announcement involving an update/patch for previously sold 2017 model year vehicles before the end of the year and I should know more about this in early November.
So at this point, it looks like there might be some sort of announcement coming in the next few weeks for owners of 2017 vehicles. That’s positive for owners of those vehicles. If you own a Hyundai vehicle made earlier than model year 2017, you’ll have to see if there’s an upgrade path for you. I will continue to monitor this to see what is announced and report it on this blog as soon as I get it.
UPDATE: MnSOFT which is the option that that some Hyundai owners have gone to to get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay if they are willing to pay for it has let it slip that they will have an update that will add Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to more Hyundai vehicles this November.
November 3, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Awesome job covering this topic Kevin — I’ve purchased a 2017 Elantra from Greg’s Hyundai dealership in Thornhill. His whole argument about the market share of Android Auto/Apple CarPlay users being minor is very disconnected — the features are already available in most competing entry level cars (i.e. Civic). This will absolutely be a defining feature that will sway consumers going forward, especially when fewer features are setting cars apart in general. We would not have purchased the Elantra if we did not think that Apple CarPlay would be available in the near future.
November 3, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Thanks for the kind words. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is going to be a feature that will get people in showrooms because that’s what consumers want. And that’s not going away anytime soon.
November 6, 2016 at 1:08 pm
How to we tell what models are getting the android auto update on the MnSOFT webpage? I don’t want to purchase the update for my 2016 sonata and not get android auto. Thanks, Scott
November 18, 2016 at 1:04 pm
I contacted Hyundai Canada. I was told they were sorry, but Apple Car Play will NOT BE made available for Elantra models. The only models they are looking into will be the TUCSON and above. Apparently the software/hardware on the Elantra is considerably different, and would not be a ‘cost-effective’ measure.
November 22, 2016 at 1:02 am
I just purchased the 10.5 update for my Canadian Sonata 2015, and no AA or Carplay
November 22, 2016 at 8:36 am
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I am currently trying to reach out to MnSOFT to try and get their side of the story. I also posted a new story on this as well: https://itnerd.blog/2016/11/22/mnsoft-update-for-hyundai-vehicles-doesnt-deliver-apple-carplayandroid-auto/
November 22, 2016 at 9:02 am
[…] the way, if you need to get up to speed on how we got here, this link will give you an […]
January 5, 2017 at 10:39 pm
I was on the Hyundai Canada site tonight and the update has been released to include Apple CarPlay on specific 2017 vehicles including the Elantra. Update is easy and straight forward.
February 1, 2017 at 10:16 am
Hi Kevin,
have you heard about any updates that will allow Blackberry Android devices to connect to Android Auto? Seems like there is some kind of block. Hyundais website says all android phones will work, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
thanks,
February 1, 2017 at 8:33 pm
I am not aware of anything of the sort. If you’re talking on one of the Android powered BlackBerry products, SHOULD work. I will see if I can track one down and test it for myself.
February 6, 2017 at 12:43 pm
that would be great thank you.
February 7, 2017 at 8:37 am
Which BlackBerry do you have? I ask because I did research this and I suspect I know why you might be having issues. Android Auto requires Android 5.0. The Priv runs Android 6 via an update so that should work. But older BB10 devices run an emulated version of Android 4.3. Having said that, I have found examples where VW’s implementation of Android Auto is highly problematic with the Priv. But the one with the Honda Civic works. Thus there seems to be a number of moving pieces at play. But let’s start with what BlackBerry you have and work from there.
February 7, 2017 at 11:01 am
Thanks for looking into it. I have the BlackBerry PRIV, so I agree in theory it should work and I can’t seem to figure out why.
February 7, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Agreed. It should work. I wonder if Hyundai has similar issues that VW has with the Priv and Android Auto. Example: https://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Smartphones-PRIV-DTEK50-DTEK60/2016-VW-BlackBerry-Priv-and-Android-Auto-not-playing-well/td-p/3146666
February 7, 2017 at 5:17 pm
Just got an email from Hyundai. There is an upgrade available for all 2017 models with Nav built in. https://hyundaisoftwareupgrade.ca/ I’m out of town so it will be a couple weeks before I can try it, but I’m hopeful.
February 8, 2017 at 3:39 pm
Let me know how that goes. I am curious as from my research, software updates were required to fix this with VW.
February 17, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Well I did the update today. The car is now carplay compatible but unfortunately, it’s still not BlackBerry Priv compatible. I’ve emailed Hyundai again but it will take them a few days to get back to me.
February 18, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Are you in Toronto by chance? I’d like to take a look at this first hand.
May 7, 2017 at 1:49 am
I am thinking about buying Sonata 2016 Ltd in Canada. will this be getting Android auto play any time soon
May 7, 2017 at 11:27 am
I cannot say. There are rumors that it might, but I cannot confirm or deny those rumors.
June 28, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Is there an Android Autoplay for the 2016 Tucson?