[abcdefghii]

BT you do need to disconnect your phone from the Volvo BT so it doesn't interfere with which system it's connected to.

Excellent, I've no issues disconnecting from the Volvo BT, assuming it works well (and I order one, which is looking likely) then I'll be using android auto primarily anyway.

Went ahead and ordered one, was a bit of a headache as the ordering page was not working, then the seller had me try ordering an Alfa Romeo unit to check it was working which went through fully. They are going to modify the price, the Alfa unit costs more, and then send out the Volvo unit. Will be a nervous wait on hoping I get the right one.

Edit: For some reason the seller is unable to change the order, so cancelled that one. Still trying to place the order, but it keeps saying there is a limited quantity and the order fails to go through.

Edit 2: Finally got the order to go through, got a road trip at the beginning of November so hopefully this arrives and I can get it installed before then. The install looks simple enough, so as long as the unit is reliable I don't see there being any problems.

 

[mamba42]

Here are the instructions for the IntegratedAutomotive option (which I would assume are the same for the AliExpress option):

2010-2015 Volvo Retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto Connection Guide - Integrated automotive UK

Connection Diagram Step by Step Installation Guide: PRESS AND HOLD "EXIT" ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENTER THE IMI-1000 INTERFACE

integratedautomotive.co.uk

This is interesting to me. I'd love to be able to add this to my 2013 XC60 and then install a backup camera that would work with this without needing all the additional stuff for the OEM installation.

 

[abcdefghii]

Interestingly, the AliExpress order page has some instructions that don't show anything about a PCB needing to be added, but we'll see in a couple weeks. I'll try to record a video, or at least take pictures, of the installation and set up process.

I'm really hopeful the unit works well, was driving on a road the other day and even with the latest map update my V60 thought I was driving through a field. Will be really nice to have Google Maps, traffic data, being able to respond to messages by voice etc.

 

[p.rico]

I like this approach, it is far more elegant than the somewhat chintzy looking aftermarket screen and bezel combinations we've seen here on the forum before.

If you two have success with these, I am next on the ordering list. I've been itching for a new project lately.

 

[PureDrive07]

Interestingly, the AliExpress order page has some instructions that don't show anything about a PCB needing to be added, but we'll see in a couple weeks. I'll try to record a video, or at least take pictures, of the installation and set up process.

I'm really hopeful the unit works well, was driving on a road the other day and even with the latest map update my V60 thought I was driving through a field. Will be really nice to have Google Maps, traffic data, being able to respond to messages by voice etc.

Has the seller sent you a message to contact him on WhatsApp? Once you talk to them they'll send you the installation instructions and it does have the PCB needing to be added. I had to send them photos of my MY CAR menu and VIN chassis sticker to make sure they send the correct unit.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[abcdefghii]

I like this approach, it is far more elegant than the somewhat chintzy looking aftermarket screen and bezel combinations we've seen here on the forum before.

The look of the aftermarket screens is what put me off, I get it is a larger screen, but it just looks slightly off due to the way it sits flush instead of recessed into the dash.

Has the seller sent you a message to contact him on WhatsApp? Once you talk to them they'll send you the installation instructions and it does have the PCB needing to be added. I had to send them photos of my MY CAR menu and VIN chassis sticker to make sure they send the correct unit.

Interesting, I'll shoot them a message as I had been messaging via AliExpress and sent them a picture of the Media menu and the center console, but nothing about the MY CAR or VIN. Messaged them just now and sent over the MY CAR menu and VIN sticker from the window, they said I do need the PCB as well. Thanks for pointing that out, would have sucked to receive the unit and then have to return it and wait again.

 

[Wayne T5]

Interested in this as well for my '15 XC70.

 

[abcdefghii]

Well, looks like @PureDrive07 and myself will be the guinea pigs!

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

I have a '15 (not 15.5) and will be interested to see how this pans out. I'm curious - what happens to the standard settings (climate control, car settings, etc.)? Are those retained?

 

[PureDrive07]

I have a '15 (not 15.5) and will be interested to see how this pans out. I'm curious - what happens to the standard settings (climate control, car settings, etc.)? Are those retained?

Someone on the Facebook group just did the Intergrated Automotive UK unit (the crazy expensive unit) and he had a few issues on his 2013: 1. Was static noise at RPM (sounds like a grounding issue), 2. End Call button on the OEM controls wasn't working, 3. Climate Controls he had to back out of the CarPlay/AA display to use, 4. He didn't like it on a non-Touchscreen needing to scroll around the screen (honestly its just like the new Mazda's not having touchscreen). The AliExpress vendor I purchased from said there were lots of different harnesses and units for different years and options; they made me even send them a picture of my MY CAR menu and VIN to verify the right unit was being sent to me. Not sure how iA-UK is handling their differences between model years and options.

 

[mamba42]

I have placed an order as well. Now I will have both the unit for the 2015.5+ and this one so I will be able to compare and contrast once I get it and install it.

BTW, they messaged me and had me place the order using this link: 283.61US $ 21% OFF|Wireless Apple Carplay Android Auto Module Car AI Box For Volvo XC60 XC70 S60 S80 V60 V70 V40 (2011 2019) Mirror Link Decoder| | - AliExpress

It doesn't have an expiring deal like the other one does as far as I can tell so it will remain less expensive I think.

 

[mamba42]

Also, FWIW, they told me that only 2015 model years need to send their menu images. Earlier years do not.

 

[mamba42]

Here are the instructions they sent as a PDF. The first set of instructions are for 2015+ model years and the second set are for 2011-2015 model years and they do indeed show the screen disassembly to add the required parts.

 

[mamba42]

Someone on the Facebook group just did the Intergrated Automotive UK unit (the crazy expensive unit) and he had a few issues on his 2013: 1. Was static noise at RPM (sounds like a grounding issue), 2. End Call button on the OEM controls wasn't working, 3. Climate Controls he had to back out of the CarPlay/AA display to use, 4. He didn't like it on a non-Touchscreen needing to scroll around the screen (honestly its just like the new Mazda's not having touchscreen). The AliExpress vendor I purchased from said there were lots of different harnesses and units for different years and options; they made me even send them a picture of my MY CAR menu and VIN to verify the right unit was being sent to me. Not sure how iA-UK is handling their differences between model years and options.

The scrolling is interesting but I find that overall adding CarPlay to Sensus is well worth it.

For those who haven't seen it, here is a YouTube video I made demonstrating CarPlay with my 2015.5 V60 (including a discussion of positive and negatives of the unit):

The climate controls do not appear on the CarPlay or Android Auto screen. To see those, you need to be in the Sensus system.

 

[PureDrive07]

My kit arrived today, I already pulled apart the dash and I will tackle this later this evening when the kids go to bed. What a pain though to remove the center console trim piece, the wire harness for the Climate controls are secured with a pressure clip and with big hands and little wiggle room were tough to release but I was able to safely detach them.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[PureDrive07]

So I installed everything, the screen was a bit difficult to pull apart, but just work at it slowly and be patient and it'll budge. So far everything seems to be working fine. I had an issue with the Backup Camera not working and the Seller messaged me back in like 5min with the fix. I needed to set the camera setting to OE and I was good to go. When I put it in reverse I was just getting lines but no picture. I had no static issues on the screen when I took the car around the block, calls worked fine (to answer calls though you need to press the Talk/Speech button on the steering wheel), music played fine through Spotify and Google Maps was working.

The only issue I ran into was the parking sensors won't show the radar screen when in Drive if you are parking; they do show on the reverse camera picture though. Seller said it's a limitation that they were unable to show the radar on the screen unless you have a front camera. You can hear the sensors though while in CarPlay/AA. It's something that I can say is livable, because all you have to do is just hold the EXIT button for a few seconds to back out to normal Sensus screen and there they are showing on the screen. Over the next couple of days I'll test it out some more to see if any other issues arise. I know Friday I'll be taking a decent drive on the highway so we'll see how it goes.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[mamba42]

So I installed everything, the screen was a bit difficult to pull apart, but just work at it slowly and be patient and it'll budge. So far everything seems to be working fine. I had an issue with the Backup Camera not working and the Seller messaged me back in like 5min with the fix. I needed to set the camera setting to OE and I was good to go. When I put it in reverse I was just getting lines but no picture. I had no static issues on the screen when I took the car around the block, calls worked fine (to answer calls though you need to press the Talk/Speech button on the steering wheel), music played fine through Spotify and Google Maps was working.

The only issue I ran into was the parking sensors won't show the radar screen when in Drive if you are parking; they do show on the reverse camera picture though. Seller said it's a limitation that they were unable to show the radar on the screen unless you have a front camera. You can hear the sensors though while in CarPlay/AA. It's something that I can say is livable, because all you have to do is just hold the EXIT button for a few seconds to back out to normal Sensus screen and there they are showing on the screen. Over the next couple of days I'll test it out some more to see if any other issues arise. I know Friday I'll be taking a decent drive on the highway so we'll see how it goes.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

That's awesome! I'm glad you were able to get it all put together so quickly and it looks great!

 

[abcdefghii]

Nice, it looks great overall and good to hear there are no issues so far.

So I installed everything, the screen was a bit difficult to pull apart, but just work at it slowly and be patient and it'll budge.

Are there any screws on the screen housing? Or does it simply pull apart carefully? It's the one piece that on both sets of instructions I have seen is not exactly clear on what do to. Was it also easy enough to hide the box / extra wiring back towards the glovebox?


Mine shipped today, hopefully it will arrive sometime next week.

 

[zoidberg]

So I installed everything, the screen was a bit difficult to pull apart, but just work at it slowly and be patient and it'll budge. So far everything seems to be working fine. I had an issue with the Backup Camera not working and the Seller messaged me back in like 5min with the fix. I needed to set the camera setting to OE and I was good to go. When I put it in reverse I was just getting lines but no picture. I had no static issues on the screen when I took the car around the block, calls worked fine (to answer calls though you need to press the Talk/Speech button on the steering wheel), music played fine through Spotify and Google Maps was working.

The only issue I ran into was the parking sensors won't show the radar screen when in Drive if you are parking; they do show on the reverse camera picture though. Seller said it's a limitation that they were unable to show the radar on the screen unless you have a front camera. You can hear the sensors though while in CarPlay/AA. It's something that I can say is livable, because all you have to do is just hold the EXIT button for a few seconds to back out to normal Sensus screen and there they are showing on the screen. Over the next couple of days I'll test it out some more to see if any other issues arise. I know Friday I'll be taking a decent drive on the highway so we'll see how it goes.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Thank you posting this, do you have any idea if this works on a 5” screen? Thank you

 

[abcdefghii]

Thank you posting this, do you have any idea if this works on a 5” screen? Thank you

Reach out to the seller directly, they have been very responsive to any questions I asked them.