CarPlay Screen Radio for Volkswagen Touareg (2010-2018): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The Volkswagen Touareg 7P is still one of the most solid large SUVs you can buy used. Its 3.0-litre V6 TDI, its 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a build quality that ages well mean many owners have no intention whatsoever of replacing it. The problem always shows up in the same place: the infotainment system.

A car that is still comfortable, powerful and capable becomes awkward day to day when the navigation runs on outdated maps, the phone only connects over Bluetooth for calls, and the screen is small and slow. The good news is that you do not need to change cars or visit a dealer to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a Touareg: there is a model-specific screen radio for this chassis that replaces the original unit and fits the factory opening.

Does the Volkswagen Touareg have CarPlay as standard?

No. The second-generation Touareg (7P chassis) was sold with several infotainment systems, and none of them includes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto from the factory:

• RCD 550: radio with a small touchscreen, CD and basic Bluetooth. No built-in navigation.
• RNS 850: the flagship navigation unit of its day, with a hard drive and a larger screen. Very expensive to update and with maps that are now completely out of date.
• RNS 315: mid-range navigation unit fitted to some cars.

Volkswagen did not introduce App-Connect (its commercial name for CarPlay and Android Auto) until well into the model's life, and the Touareg 7P was left out of that update. In other words: no matter how many software updates you apply, your Touareg will never have factory CarPlay. The only real route is replacing the infotainment unit.

The solution: Android radio for the Volkswagen Touareg

Our model-specific screen radio for the Touareg 2010-2018 is built for this exact chassis. It is not a universal radio hacked into place: the frame, the connectors and the dimensions are designed for the Touareg's original opening, so the finished result looks factory.

What it includes:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both wireless and wired.
• High-resolution touchscreen, far larger and sharper than the original.
• Real-time navigation with Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps, with traffic updated by the minute.
• Spotify, YouTube Music, podcasts and online radio straight on screen.
• Bluetooth for hands-free calls with good microphone quality.
• Reversing camera input and front camera input.
• RCA outputs for an amplifier and subwoofer if you want to improve the sound.
• Steering wheel controls retained, thanks to the included CAN Bus decoder.
• WiFi and SIM slot depending on the version chosen, so you do not depend on your phone.

Volkswagen Touareg compatibility: supported versions

This unit is designed for the second-generation Touareg (7P chassis), covering the model's entire commercial run between 2010 and 2018, including the mid-life facelift. Specifically, it is compatible with:

• Touareg 7P V6 TDI 3.0 in all power outputs.
• Touareg 7P V8 TDI and petrol versions.
• Touareg 7P Hybrid.
• Premium, R-Line and Terrain Tech trims.
• Cars with RCD 550, RNS 315 or RNS 850 from the factory.

One important warning: if your Touareg has the premium sound system with a fibre optic amplifier, you need to add a fibre optic decoder so the speakers keep working after the swap. We also stock that part, but it is worth confirming before you buy. If you are not sure which system your car has, message us with the registration or the VIN and we will check it for you.

What is the installation like?

Installation is plug & play: there is no need to cut wires or splice into the car's original loom. A reasonably handy owner can do it in an afternoon; an installer will have it done in little over an hour.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before you start. It is the step most people skip and the one that avoids the most trouble.
2. Remove the centre console trim with plastic tools, without levering with screwdrivers so you do not mark the plastics.
3. Undo the original unit's screws and pull it carefully towards you.
4. Unplug the Quadlock and antenna connectors from the factory radio.
5. Connect the new unit's harness: the connector is the same, so it goes straight in. The CAN Bus decoder is what translates the car's signals so the steering wheel controls, climate control information and parking sensors keep working.
6. Fit the screen into the opening and screw it in.
7. Reconnect the battery and switch on. The first boot takes a little longer than usual while the system configures itself.
8. Pair your phone over WiFi for wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and check the steering wheel controls.

How much does it cost to install CarPlay in a Volkswagen Touareg?

At an official dealer the answer is usually blunt: it cannot be done. Volkswagen does not offer a CarPlay retrofit for the Touareg 7P, and the most they will suggest is replacing the unit with another used original one, with the same built-in limitation and the labour cost that comes with it.

The car audio shop alternative means fitting a universal radio, which brings two problems: the finish never looks integrated and, in many cases, car functions are lost because no model-specific CAN Bus decoder is installed.

With a model-specific Touareg radio the approach changes: you buy a unit already prepared for your chassis, fit it yourself or have an installer do it, and the result keeps the factory look and all the original functions. Our units include 3 years of warranty and technical support throughout the installation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose the Touareg's steering wheel controls?
No. The included CAN Bus decoder keeps volume, track skip, phone and voice control working exactly as before.

Do the climate control display and parking sensors still work?
Yes. Climate information and sensor signals are still shown on the new screen through the CAN Bus.

My Touareg has the RNS 850 navigation. Is it worth replacing?
That is precisely the case where the upgrade is most noticeable. The RNS 850 relies on hard-drive maps that must be updated for a fee, whereas with CarPlay you use Google Maps or Waze with live traffic and no extra cost.

Can I fit a reversing camera at the same time?
Yes. The screen has a video input for a rear camera and switches over automatically when you select reverse. If your Touareg already has an original camera, in most cases it can be reused with the right wiring.

Is it reversible? What if I sell the car?
Completely. Since no wires are cut, you can refit the original radio at any time as long as you keep the factory unit.

See the CarPlay radio for the Volkswagen Touareg

You can see all the specifications, screen sizes and memory options available on the product page for the CarPlay and Android Auto screen radio for the Volkswagen Touareg 2010-2018. If you have any doubts about compatibility with your particular car, message us before buying and we will confirm the exact model you need.