Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Hyundai
It took a while, but Hyundai has finally confirmed that wireless Android Auto and CarPlay will land in select vehicles with a software update.
The carmaker first teased wireless Android Auto and CarPlay with information posted on its website in June, but Hyundai never commented on the highly anticipated software update.
Hyundai and Kia models equipped with navigation already sport Android Auto and CarPlay support, but the connection requires a cable to run the mobile phone projection. Drivers could still convert wired Android Auto and CarPlay to a wireless experience with a dedicated adapter, but this will no longer be needed thanks to a Hyundai software update. The announcement concerns only models equipped with navigation.
Hyundai will enable wireless Android Auto and CarPlay in systems equipped with the new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), beginning with the new Kona and Kona EV. Additionally, the software update will ship to Hyundai Grandeur, Sonata facelift, the new Santa Fe, IONIQ 5, and Kia EV9. The new Sorento will also get the update at a later time.
Hyundai says it's also working on enabling the wireless experience in Genesis models, but no further specifics were shared at this point. All models with ccIC should receive the software update to enable wireless Android Auto and CarPlay.
Once the update is installed, drivers will have to delete the existing connection profiles to start from scratch with a wireless connection. Android Auto and CarPlay required an initial wired connection before configuring the wireless experience. Once the cordless configuration is complete, users can run Android Auto and CarPlay without connecting the phone to the head unit with a cable – many might still want to do this, though, as running a wireless mobile phone projection system could significantly reduce the phone's battery charge.
Hyundai did not reveal when it plans to begin the rollout of the infotainment software update, but the first models should receive it by the end of the year. I have already contacted the company for additional information and will update the article when and if I hear back.
The adoption of Android Auto and CarPlay keeps growing at a time when some carmakers are moving to Android Automotive, blocking access to mobile phone projection systems. General Motors is the first big name to adopt this controversial approach, with the 2024 Blazer EV spearheading the transition to Android Automotive and to a world without Android Auto and CarPlay. General Motors says Android Automotive offers a significantly upgraded experience, whereas Android Auto and CarPlay are still limited due to not having full access to vehicle information.
Tesla and Rivian also refuse to adopt Android Auto and CarPlay, claiming their in-house solutions offer better options. Rivian owners have recently launched a petition to call for CarPlay support, but the carmaker has so far ignored the request.
Hyundai and Kia models equipped with navigation already sport Android Auto and CarPlay support, but the connection requires a cable to run the mobile phone projection. Drivers could still convert wired Android Auto and CarPlay to a wireless experience with a dedicated adapter, but this will no longer be needed thanks to a Hyundai software update. The announcement concerns only models equipped with navigation.
Hyundai will enable wireless Android Auto and CarPlay in systems equipped with the new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), beginning with the new Kona and Kona EV. Additionally, the software update will ship to Hyundai Grandeur, Sonata facelift, the new Santa Fe, IONIQ 5, and Kia EV9. The new Sorento will also get the update at a later time.
Hyundai says it's also working on enabling the wireless experience in Genesis models, but no further specifics were shared at this point. All models with ccIC should receive the software update to enable wireless Android Auto and CarPlay.
Once the update is installed, drivers will have to delete the existing connection profiles to start from scratch with a wireless connection. Android Auto and CarPlay required an initial wired connection before configuring the wireless experience. Once the cordless configuration is complete, users can run Android Auto and CarPlay without connecting the phone to the head unit with a cable – many might still want to do this, though, as running a wireless mobile phone projection system could significantly reduce the phone's battery charge.
Hyundai did not reveal when it plans to begin the rollout of the infotainment software update, but the first models should receive it by the end of the year. I have already contacted the company for additional information and will update the article when and if I hear back.
The adoption of Android Auto and CarPlay keeps growing at a time when some carmakers are moving to Android Automotive, blocking access to mobile phone projection systems. General Motors is the first big name to adopt this controversial approach, with the 2024 Blazer EV spearheading the transition to Android Automotive and to a world without Android Auto and CarPlay. General Motors says Android Automotive offers a significantly upgraded experience, whereas Android Auto and CarPlay are still limited due to not having full access to vehicle information.
Tesla and Rivian also refuse to adopt Android Auto and CarPlay, claiming their in-house solutions offer better options. Rivian owners have recently launched a petition to call for CarPlay support, but the carmaker has so far ignored the request.
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