CarPlay frustrations...

[AH64ID]

There is very little with my truck that I’m not happy with, but Ram’s CarPlay falls into the unhappy category.

All in all I do like CarPlay and use it all the time. It’s safer, easier, and better than not having it. But it’s got some issues.

For months I thought some of the CarPlay frustrations were Apple... but they aren’t. Ram won’t let you use the numeric key pad or keyboard while moving, which is beyond frustrating. It’s not even a safety issue, pressing 1 for customer service is no less safe that pressing anything on the radio.

I spent 4 weeks with a rental in January, Chevy Spark.. that’s another story , and after about a week I noticed the keyboard and keypad work at all speeds. I was ecstatic, I thought Apple fixed their programming. Well I got home and got in the truck and back to BS. That’s when I realized it’s Ram that messed up the integration and not Apple.

The Chevy CarPlay also did a much better job with my overdrive app for audiobooks. It would automatically start them if the app was still open on my phone. Ram won’t. I have to go to the phone and press play every time.

Is there anything that can be done? I’ve looked in AlfaOBD but haven’t found anything yet. I recall that H&S could unlock the stereo with some stuff on a buddies 2012, so I’d guess we can do it on the newer stuff??

 

[EZeis]

I assume you verified the radio software is up-to-date?


Earl

 

[AH64ID]

I assume you verified the radio software is up-to-date?


Earl

Yes it is, in fact it’s never had an update.

 

[OrranOakey]

Ours does the same and was updated last night

 

[mwilson]

I have had recent experiences with both MyLink and Sync III radios....

2016 MyLink.....no Car Play but some general funkiness when hooked into the USB. No keyboard or numeric entry available while driving. Inexplicably binds up sometimes when hanging up from a call, will not return to playing Pandora. Works far better if you simply use Bluetooth instead of plugging into USB.

2017 Sync III.....Car Play equipped, no keyboard or numeric pad available while driving. Stupid as can be, voice control is first class so you get the phone dialing and such, then have to fish the phone out of your pocket to enter an extension...perfect....
Also will bind up at times after hanging up. Spent all last week with the vehicle and after the second day I just let the Bluetooth connect.

Only time I hook into the USB is to get the Google Maps on the screen when needing some navigation. That feature is really nice!!

So not exclusive to Ram....

 

[TFucili]

And these are the same companies who are touting driverless cars, etc, etc, "coming soon". They can't even make this stuff work right.

 

[DonFitzwater]

2 comments (opinions really), 1. I bet you looked good in that Spark! and 2. The world runs on Windows, nobody cares about Apple problems.........................(this is what I tell all my boat customers who want to install diagnostic software on their apple/mac products to be able to work on their outboard and inboard engines )

 

[mwilson]

2 comments (opinions really), 1. I bet you looked good in that Spark! and 2. The world runs on Windows, nobody cares about Apple problems.........................(this is what I tell all my boat customers who want to install diagnostic software on their apple/mac products to be able to work on their outboard and inboard engines )

 

[R.Taylor]

Mine has worked pretty good on the 12" Uconnect. A few times it did play 2 sources at once (USB stick and SirusXM)..... Music from the USB stick with a SXM sports channel talking over it. It did the OTA update 2 days ago so we'll see if they tweaked it any. I could not see any details for the latest update. I did get a matte finish screen protector... No glare and no fingerprints showing. I had a glass one but it drove me nuts. I wish RAM would not use glossy bits on dash trim... It looks like crap a few days after cleaning.

 

[CBari]

Ok as long as we are on the Car Play issues, I like it much better than not having it while it has it short comings it is much better than nothing. With that said my 13 has the 8.4 radio nav unit but it doesn't do the Car Play. My 18 does which has made me really appreciate having it. I wonder if I was to find a radio out of a late model 17 or 18 if the swap would be plug and play?

 

[AH64ID]

Ok as long as we are on the Car Play issues, I like it much better than not having it while it has it short comings it is much better than nothing. With that said my 13 has the 8.4 radio nav unit but it doesn't do the Car Play. My 18 does which has made me really appreciate having it. I wonder if I was to find a radio out of a late model 17 or 18 if the swap would be plug and play?

I agree, it has some drawbacks but it is still a great system.

I've looked into the swap for my Dad on his '17. It's mostly plug and play. The USB ports in the console are a different size so it looks a little goofy, but otherwise it seems pretty straightforward.

 

[CBari]

I agree, it has some drawbacks but it is still a great system.

I've looked into the swap for my Dad on his '17. It's mostly plug and play. The USB ports in the console are a different size so it looks a little goofy, but otherwise it seems pretty straightforward.

I am confused, so your saying you have to replace the console usbs also?

 

[AH64ID]

I am confused, so your saying you have to replace the console usbs also?

Yes, that's what I've found. The stereo's are made by different manufacturers so I guess the plugs aren't compatible.

 

[DeansRedRam]

Hmm.. I don't think I've noticed this to be an issue in my 18 for apple carplay.. Will have to report back this weekend.

 

[snadamo]

https://www.infotainment.com/collec...am-1500-2500-3500-8-4-4c-nav-uaq-retrofit-kit

You can but the retrofit kit here. It’s a bit pricey at $1500 plus options

 

[AH64ID]

https://www.infotainment.com/collec...am-1500-2500-3500-8-4-4c-nav-uaq-retrofit-kit

You can but the retrofit kit here. It’s a bit pricey at $1500 plus options

Same radio I currently have, plus NAV. It will have the same dislikes. Looks like you can get non-NAV For a little less cash.

There are much cheaper ways to retro fit a 17 or older.

 

[snadamo]

Same radio I currently have, plus NAV. It will have the same dislikes. Looks like you can get non-NAV For a little less cash.

There are much cheaper ways to retro fit a 17 or older.

agreed. Up to $2k is a tough pill to swallow. I’m sure you could part it out and get it much cheaper too. This wouldn’t be my go to. I’d probably price out all the parts and compare.

These guys have a lot of different makes and models and appears to have a good rep, but they’re usually the most expensive.