CarPlay interface for Audi A3, Q2, A4, A5 and Q7 (2013-2018): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Audi's MMI is one of the best-executed infotainment systems ever fitted to a car: a retractable or dashboard-integrated screen, a rotary controller on the console and a level of integration with the vehicle that no generic screen can match. That's why, when the owner of an Audi A3, Q2, A4, A5 or Q7 discovers their car has no Apple CarPlay, the idea of ripping out the MMI and fitting an Android screen sounds like vandalism.

And they're right: in an Audi from these years there's no need. There's an interface module that connects behind the original MMI screen and adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto as just another source, leaving everything else untouched: the rotary controller, the steering wheel controls, DAB radio, camera and sensors.

Does the Audi A3, Q2, A4, A5 or Q7 have CarPlay as standard?

It depends on the car, and in most cases the answer is no. In this era Audi offered smartphone integration as a paid option (the well-known "Audi smartphone interface"), not as standard equipment. The result is a huge fleet of cars where you find:

• MMI Radio / MMI Radio plus with no phone integration beyond Bluetooth and USB.
• MMI Navigation with factory navigation but no CarPlay, because the option wasn't ticked when the car was configured.
• Cars where the function appears in the menu but is inactive, because the required hardware wasn't fitted.

On top of that, in cars that do have it, CarPlay works over cable only. Activating it retroactively through official channels means a workshop visit, and it isn't always feasible depending on the module your car has. That's why the external interface has become the go-to solution.

The solution: CarPlay interface for Audi with MMI

This interface module sits behind the MMI screen and adds a new input from which CarPlay and Android Auto are launched. It doesn't replace the radio or reprogram anything in the car.

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto (also over cable if you prefer).
• Keeps the original MMI: radio, factory navigation, vehicle settings and native menus stay the same.
• Works with the MMI rotary controller and the steering wheel controls to navigate inside CarPlay.
• HD video output with no loss of quality compared with the screen's original signal.
• Its own Bluetooth for hands-free calls.
• The factory reversing camera and parking sensors keep working normally.
• OTA updates of the module's firmware.
• Doesn't modify Audi's original software: reversible installation.

With it you get Google Maps or Waze full screen, Spotify, and WhatsApp messages dictated by voice — without giving up the interior's look or the rotary control that makes an Audi so easy to use on the move.

Audi compatibility: supported versions

The module is developed for Audis with an MMI screen of this generation:

• Audi A3 8V (2013-2018) with original MMI
• Audi Q2 GA (2016-2018)
• Audi A4 B9 (2016-2018)
• Audi A5 F5 (2016-2018)
• Audi Q7 4M (2015-2018)
• Other models on the B9 platform (A4, A5, Q5, Q7) with MMI from 2013 to 2018

What matters isn't only the model but which MMI version your car has and how the centre console is laid out. If in doubt, send us a photo of the screen switched on and another of the console with the rotary controller on WhatsApp: we'll confirm compatibility for free before you buy anything.

What is the installation like?

It's a plug & play installation: no original cable is cut or spliced.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before you start.
2. Remove the relevant trim to reach the MMI screen (on models with a retractable screen you access it from the top of the dashboard).
3. Pull the screen out just enough to expose its rear connectors.
4. Unplug the original video connector and plug in the module's harness, which sits between the screen and the MMI unit.
5. Connect the power supply and the data cable that reads the CAN Bus signals, needed for the rotary controller and steering wheel controls to operate CarPlay.
6. Secure the module behind the dashboard so it doesn't rattle.
7. Refit everything, reconnect the battery and pair your phone over WiFi/Bluetooth.
8. Check image, sound, camera and control from the rotary knob.

Estimated time is 30 to 45 minutes. Since the car's software isn't touched, if you sell the Audi you can remove the module and leave it exactly as it left the factory.

At PantallasPremium the wireless CarPlay + Android Auto interface for Audi A3, Q2, A4, A5 and Q7 (2013-2018) costs , with free shipping, warranty and after-sales support. It includes the module, the specific harness and the installation guide.

Comparing it with the official route isn't always possible: retroactive activation of the "Audi smartphone interface" depends on the hardware in your car and not every vehicle supports it, so the figure varies enormously case by case. If your official dealer quotes you, compare it with the price above bearing two things in mind: here CarPlay is wireless and the installation is reversible. We only publish prices we can guarantee; for the official figure, ask your dealer.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose my Audi's factory navigation?
No. The MMI stays intact, with its navigation, radio and menus. CarPlay appears as one more source you enter and leave whenever you like.

Can I control CarPlay with the rotary knob?
Yes. The module translates the commands from the MMI controller and the steering wheel controls to move through CarPlay and Android Auto.

Is it obvious that it isn't factory-fitted?
Barely: the image appears on the same screen at the same resolution, and the menu shows up as one more entry inside the MMI.

Does it affect the warranty or the car's electronics?
It doesn't modify Audi's software and requires no coding. It's an in-line module that can be removed without a trace.

Does it work if my Audi already has wired CarPlay?
Yes, and in that case the gain is that it becomes wireless: your phone connects on its own when you start the car, without leaving your pocket.

See the CarPlay interface for Audi A3, Q2, A4, A5 and Q7

You'll find all the details and photos on the product page for the wireless CarPlay + Android Auto interface for Audi A3, Q2, A4, A5 and Q7 (2013-2018). Send us a photo of your MMI on WhatsApp and we'll confirm for free whether it fits your car.