MnSOFT Update For Hyundai Vehicles Doesn’t Deliver Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
For those Hyundai owners in Canada who have been waiting for MnSOFT to deliver Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to their Hyundai vehicles, it seems that it didn’t happen when version 10.5 was released in the last 24 hours. I just checked the link for Canadian owners of the Hyundai Tucson and found this:
You will note the highlighted. The only two cars that have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support are the Tucson and the Elantra GT. This seems to go against what I have heard and others were promised by MnSOFT. I am currently looking at the MnSoft site now to confirm that this is accurate as it appears that the site is in a state of flux at the moment. But if this is accurate, a lot of people will not be happy.
Update to come.
UPDATE: I have looked at their entire site and it appears that no model other than the Elantra GT and the Tucson has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support. I have just reached out to MnSOFT to get their side of the story. If they respond, you’ll see an update here.
UPDATE #2: Out of interest, I went to the US version of the MnSOFT site and discovered that American vehicles will get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Examples include the 2016 Sonata and the 2016 Genesis to name two models. While the standard reason that I have been given for this difference is that the infotainment hardware is different in Canada versus the US, it really creates a really bad optics issue for Hyundai if for whatever reason they cannot provide Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to their customers in Canada seeing as those in the US have this feature set given to them for free or via an update.
By the way, if you need to get up to speed on how we got here, this link will give you an overview.
UPDATE #3: Here is a statement from MnSOFT:
The Apple CarPlay software would come from Hyundai Canada. We did not add it to any new vehicles in our map update I’m sorry. In the US it was released separately by Hyundai before it was added to our update. I am assuming that it will be similar in Canada. I would recommend checking with Hyundai head office in Canada they would have this information before we do.
So in short, they’re pointing people back to Hyundai Canada. I’ve reached out to them to see if I can get some clarification on this. Stay tuned!
UPDATE #4: I got some info from Hyundai Canada and here’s what I know so far. Expect an announcement that will detail how to get a software update in early December that is aimed at owners at 2017 model year vehicles. Specifically the 2017 Elantra, 2017 Santa Fe Sport and 2017 Santa Fe XL. The reason why I say so far is because I specifically asked if this would be expanded to other vehicles, be it from the 2017 model year or earlier. While I am fully expecting to get something along the lines of “there are no plans at this time” or words to that effect, it does not hurt to ask. I will post another update when I get a response.
UPDATE #5: The response to if this would be expanded to other vehicles was “no comment” which is exactly the response that I expected to get.
UPDATE #6: This morning I got a second response from MnSOFT which I find strange. But ignoring that, here’s what it said:
Thank you for your inquiry. We haven’t added Android Auto or Apple CarPlay software to any new vehicles in our v10.5 update for Hyundai Canada. The software would have to be approved and provided to us by Hyundai Canada before we can add it to any new updates. I would recommend contacting Hyundai Canada regarding Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. They will be the only ones that can provide you the information you are looking for.
It’s similar to what I got from them in update #3. I wonder why they felt the need to send me a second statement?
November 22, 2016 at 9:58 am
This is beyond frustrating… I stopped bugging them while waiting for 10.5 but now we know… Hyundai Canada always replied that they don’t have any control over this and that MapnSoft was deciding. When asked, Mapnsoft replied the other way around…
Meanwhile, on the Kia side, they even got AA and ACP for the older generation Optimas (for example, the 2016 Hybrid Optima is based on the YF Sonata). The KIA hardware is identical to Hyundai’s so their reasons are not true.
Why is Hyundai Canada treating us that way? What could possibly be a downside for them beside the additional revenues of the updates (I’m going to ignore the fact that our southern neighbors got it for free) ? The software is already developed for equivalent Canadian models…
I still remember the Hyundai dude you interviewed who qualified the Tucson and Elantra GT AA availability in v10.0 as being ‘unfortunate’. That says a lot about what they think of us…
I’m really really bummed by that.
November 22, 2016 at 4:10 pm
I’ve posted an update to this story after working this story for most of the day. There’s still further updates to come so please watch this space.
December 4, 2016 at 9:10 pm
If I buy the 10.5 upgrade for my 2016 Tucson will I have ACP?
December 5, 2016 at 8:29 am
For the Tucson, yes.
November 22, 2016 at 8:31 pm
What your updates and my communication history with Hyundai Canada seem to confirm is that Hyundai Canada and MapNSoft seem to be throwing the ball the each other.
They told me numerous times the they had no intentions of upgrading older cars themselves but that MapNsoft might do it and they have no control over it.
MapnSoft on the other end says that Hyundai Canada is calling the shots and they have no control about anything. One of them is lying and that’s unacceptable to lie to clients…
My 2016 Sonata PHEV was built in February 2016 and didn’t come with AA but a friend of mine has an identical 2017 Sonata PHEV that was built in July 2017 and it did come with AA. The Nav unit is identical but the 2016 and 2017 units do have a different part number. Just to make sure that if ma unit break, I would get an upgraded unit by mistake… It’s despicable…
If at least they had the courage to say the true reason why they won’t do it…
November 23, 2016 at 9:55 am
I don’t want to increase your blood pressure, but you may want to check this story for another couple of updates. Plus you may want to read this: http://wp.me/pcmht-ai1
November 23, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Thank you, my blood pressure is fine!
I’have been aware of that for a while now. I even wrote it as a comment on this article:
https://itnerd.blog/2016/08/30/breaking-hyundai-canada-to-offer-carplay-upgrades-maybe-android-auto-too/
Look at my September 1st comment.
November 23, 2016 at 1:04 am
I updated my Sonata 2015 yesterday with 10.5 hoping it would have AA and Carplay which they didn’t advertise but no good, however I had some issues authenticating and I happen to speak to the same tech who I web chatted some time back. I reminded him that he told me, 10.5 would surely have it but he rescinded saying he saw the US version wit it and was positive it would be there for Canadian version too
I told him lot of people were disappointed and even wrote a letter to MapnSoft that it makes good business sense to include it, while he couldn’t comment further he said ver 11 might have it – …next JUNE
At this point, I believe there are more chances of aliens showing up then seeing this on older models
November 23, 2016 at 9:50 am
[…] owners of Hyundai Canada vehicles are frustrated by their inability to get upgrades to Android Auto and Apple…, owners of Kia vehicles in Canada don’t seem to have that issue. Kia owners in Canada can now […]
November 24, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Here’s the email I sent Hyundai Canada…
Hi,
Like several hundred frustrated clients, I was expecting to be treated on in a similar way that our neighbors to the south and receive a free upgrade to Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
I was told by you that this upgrade would never come from Hyundai Canada but that Mapnsoft might include it in their next software release. Release v10.0 came last summer and most Canadian Kia owners of 2015 and 2016 had the opportunity to upgrade to Android Auto. It was not a free upgrade like in the US but at least they had a choice.
Canadian Hyundai owners didn’t have such choice beside the Elantra GT and Tucson owners. A representative from Hyundai (M. Chad Heard) told a blog that these upgrades were not intended and unfortunate… Again when I asked you, you told me that the upgrade would not come from Hyundai Canada but that mapnsoft might include it in their next upgrade.
This week, the long awaited upgrade v10.5 came along and Canadian Kia Owners of 2015 and 2016 compatible vehicles got the possibility to upgrade to Apple Car Play in addition of Android Auto. Again, Hyundai Canada owners didn’t have such a choice.
A representative from mapnsoft earlier this week told me that they were inundated in calls and emails for the same question and also revealed that Hyundai Canada makes the final decisions and that you where the ones preventing them from putting the Android Auto upgrade in and that no technical reason was preventing them to do so, only that they didn’t have permission from Hyundai Canada.
It does make sense, after all, from a business standpoint, the number potential Hyundai clients interested in purchasing the upgrade is probably equivalent if not greater than the number of Kia owners so why would mapnsoft limit their revenues by not appealing to the maximum number of clients and choosing to offer the upgrade only to Kia owners ?
Now the we have established that this is purely a political decision and not a technical one, the only question remaining is: Why would Hyundai Canada conduct itself in a manner that aggravates their loyal clients and puts their security at risk by preventing them to have what is considered a great step toward security on the road?
This email and its response will be reproduced in several blogs/forums/groups and sent to news organisations. Owners have a right to get an honest answer so they can factor it in their next purchase. The answers/excuses given so far have all turned out to be false. I’m willing to blame that on a lack of communication but the moment of truth has now come.
Thanks for your reply.
JF.
November 25, 2016 at 9:42 am
I would be interested in hearing what they respond with. Thanks.
November 25, 2016 at 11:29 pm
Hi, I will send an article to South Korean newspaper about this. I think Hyundai Korea should know this.
This is one of the reason Hyundai is losing their royal customer gradually. A lot of engine defects were reported too.
Even the maintain service interval is too short and the dealer service is too costy now. I think not much difference than Honda and Toyota…but resale value is huge different.
As a Korean-Canadian, I had chosen Hyundai everytime but I am not going to buy Hyundai any more.
I don’t want to be angry about this kind of discrimination.
Farewell Hyundai!
December 7, 2016 at 2:47 pm
I asked yesterday about 2017 Santa fe XL update and here is an answer from Hyundai Canada
Thank you for your email on Apple Car Play with Hyundai vehicles.
Hyundai Auto Canada does not have control over what programs are included in the Navigation updates on Canadian vehicles. At present we are aware that the 2016-2017 Elantra GT and Tucson which have onboard Navigation can obtain Apple Car Play and Google Android through the purchase of most current map/software update.
The only vehicle at this time that has factory installed Apple Car Play is the 2017 Tucson.
Please also note that Apple Car Play will be available for retrofit on 2017 vehicles which originally came with Google Android and have 7” or 8” screens in early 2017. The download will be available on this website (http://www.hyundaicanada.com/pages/Apple-Car-Play/index.aspx) for free.
Best regards,
Lina
January 24, 2017 at 2:33 pm
I contact 401 dixie hyundai regarding the update of apple car play for my 2015 sonata sports. The guy at technical support told me, the update will never come to canada, according to him the navigation hardware used in canada is different from US.
January 26, 2017 at 3:50 pm
I am currently looking at purchasing a canadian 2017 Tucsan that was a buy back. It currently does not have CarPlay. Does the mapnsoft 10.5 update add CarPlay to any 2017 Tucsan model?
January 27, 2017 at 1:31 am
Two things. One, CarPlay and Android Auto only come with more upscale models such as the Limited and the Ultimate. Thus there would be no need to upgrade. Second, the 10.5 upgrade will only deliver the Carplay/Android Auto update compatible vehicles such as the Limited or Ultimate trims.