CarPlay Screen Radio for MINI Countryman R60 (2010-2016): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The MINI Countryman R60 was the first MINI to take on the SUV format, and it still has a legion of fans in Spain: it is fun to drive, it has an interior with real character and it copes with daily use far better than a three-door Cooper. What has not aged so well is its infotainment system.

That huge central speedometer that defines the MINI dashboard houses, depending on the version, a radio with a small display or the Visual Boost system. Neither of them has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the MINI Connected navigation, where fitted, runs on maps that feel outdated today. The answer is a dedicated Android screen that uses that same central space and makes the Countryman feel completely up to date inside.

Does the MINI Countryman R60 have CarPlay as standard?

No. No version of the Countryman R60 left the factory with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. MINI introduced CarPlay considerably later, with the F60 generation and BMW's operating system.

In an R60 you will find one of these setups:

• MINI Boost radio: a small monochrome display inside the central speedometer, radio, CD and basic Bluetooth depending on the year.
• MINI Visual Boost: a 6.5-inch colour screen operated with a rotary controller, without phone mirroring.
• MINI Connected with navigation: adds its own maps and a few very limited apps, which depend on official updates.

None of the three lets you run Google Maps or Waze full screen, have messages read out to you, or use Spotify with its own interface. That is exactly the leap you gain.

The solution: Android radio for the MINI Countryman

The dedicated screen for MINI fits into the central area of the dashboard with its own frame, respecting the rounded look that characterises the car. It is not a universal unit forced into place.

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with no cables and no pairing every time.
• HD touchscreen far larger than the original display, with fast menus and good visibility in bright sunlight.
• Free, always up-to-date navigation: Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps with traffic and speed camera alerts.
• Music and podcasts from Spotify, YouTube Music or Amazon Music, plus FM radio.
• Hands-free calling with an external microphone for clear calls even at a brisk pace.
• Reversing camera input and compatibility with parking sensors.
• Steering wheel controls retained thanks to the included CAN Bus module.
• Open Android so you can install your own apps.

MINI Countryman compatibility: supported versions

• MINI Countryman R60, from 2010 to 2016, facelift included.
• MINI Cooper and One R56 (three-door) from 2006 to 2013, which shares the same dashboard architecture.
• Valid for Cooper, Cooper S, One and ALL4 all-wheel-drive versions.
• Compatible with both Boost radio and Visual Boost units.

If your MINI belongs to the following generation (F54, F55, F56, F57 or F60 Countryman), that family uses BMW's NBT system and the best route is not to replace the screen but to add a CarPlay interface for MINI F55, F56, F54, F57 and F60, which keeps the car's original screen.

What is the installation like?

It is a plug & play installation using the car's original connectors. It takes a little more patience than a conventional dashboard because you have to work on the central ring, but no factory wiring is cut.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before removing anything.
2. Remove the ring and central trim of the speedometer with plastic trim tools. They are held by clips: release them gradually and without forcing the plastic.
3. Take out the original unit by undoing its mounting screws and unplugging the rear connectors.
4. Connect the included ISO harness and CAN Bus module. They plug into the factory connector and are what keeps the steering wheel controls and the vehicle signals working.
5. Plug in the radio antenna, GPS, microphone and USB. Route the microphone along the side of the dashboard to the A-pillar.
6. Test while everything is still accessible: reconnect the battery, start the car and check sound, steering wheel controls, Bluetooth and CarPlay.
7. Secure the screen and refit the ring until every clip is seated.

Allow between one hour and an hour and a half if you do it yourself; considerably less at a specialist workshop.

• At PantallasPremium: a dedicated MINI screen from , with wiring, CAN Bus module and microphone included, worldwide shipping and a 3-year warranty.
• At the official service: there is no update that adds CarPlay to the R60. The only official route would be changing cars.
• Workshop installation: between and , slightly more than on other models because of the central ring removal.

It is by far the cheapest way to bring a Countryman up to date without giving up its distinctive interior.

Frequently asked questions

Does the dashboard lose its original look?
No. The screen is fitted with its specific frame in the central area, keeping the rounded MINI styling that is so recognisable.

Do the steering wheel controls keep working?
Yes. The included CAN Bus module retains volume, track change, phone and voice control.

What happens to the trip computer and the car warnings?
They are independent from the radio: consumption, range, warning lights and alerts keep showing as normal.

Can I add a reversing camera?
Yes. The screen has a dedicated video input and shows the image automatically when you select reverse.

Does it fit a three-door MINI Cooper?
Yes, the same unit covers the MINI Cooper and One R56 (2006-2013) as well as the Countryman R60.

See the CarPlay radio for the MINI Countryman R60

You can check the specifications, memory options and real photos of the unit on the product page for the CarPlay screen radio for MINI Countryman R60 and Cooper R56. If you have doubts about your specific version, send us a photo of the dashboard and we will confirm compatibility before you buy.