Can you add Android Auto to any car?

dulpit

Hey all,

I have a Volvo S60 and I would like to add android auto to it if at all possible. I know some cars have head units you can replace, but not in my Volvo, so that option is out. I have seen videos of people replacing the screen in the Volvo with a touch screen and adding some stuff that makes it work, but that seemed both expensive and not great due to the small size of the screen in the car.

So I was wondering - are there any other ways of adding Android Auto to a car? It's mad to me that I had more flexibility with my first car (a 2001 Focus) than I do now in this area. Any suggestions? Or do I just need to wait until I get a newer car?

Miscreant

There is a Swedish company called Bluepower.se that do integrated Android head units for Volvo vehicles. Might be worth a look for you but they're not cheap. I had a Volvo S60 previously and it would have worked out at about a thousand euro to change the head unit. This was 10 years ago though.

Otherwise, if you want something that looks factory, you may need to wait for your next car.

dulpit

I wouldn't mind something as an add on, I don't need it to look factory either...

CMOTDibbler

They only seem to do them for the S60 2000-2009 models:

https://www.bluepower.se/en/product/audio-video/car-stereo/custom-players/volvo/s60-2000-2009/

Quite a bit less than €1,000 though.

Miscreant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122346722#Comment_122346722

They're much cheaper than they used to be so. 🙂

coylemj

A rant about my experience with Volvo and aftermarket gear …

In 2005 I bought a used 2002 S60 which did not have a factory installed car kit. No problem, I had a Nokia Bluetooth (no cradle) car kit fitted but was advised by the fitter that the Volvo radio did not have a mute terminal for an aftermarket car kit. Meaning that if I was driving with the radio on (as I do most of the time) and someone phoned me, the radio kept playing and I often didn't hear the ringing tone.

I had had a Nokia Bluetooth car kit installed in three previous cars, they all muted the radio on an incoming call. Volvo had clearly made the decision that if you didn't order a car kit from new - tough! So I vowed never to buy a Volvo again.

djan

Would something like this do?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006425199513.html

dulpit

Nah, looks like mine is too new (2013) for aftermarket options and too old to have the stuff in the first place.

Oh well.

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122347426#Comment_122347426

My bad saw another poster who mentioned a 2002.

For your car these much more options so makes it a lot easier!

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-Volvo-s60-2013-android-auto.html

loyatemu

if you don't care about looks there are loads of Android Auto screens on Temu, Ali etc that stick to the dashboard. No idea about the quality of them though.

Banzai600

there is a guy in Dublin 15 doing these conversions for older cars, android units, with warranty etc. his feedback is great. ive a car to get done, but havent gotten to him yet. he's called " r@dioking " its around 300/350 for the unit. they flush mount professionally, so its a solid and good looking job. removes the old unit etc.

if his name is scrubbed out by mods, pm me. not sure if you can mention businesses here.

Murt2024

Your better off with something like this. If your car has aux cable should be sorted. That's the first one I've seen on Amazon put probably better versions available. Has webcam built in.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Wireless-Touchscreen-Bluetooth-Mirror-Link-Black-10-26-Inch/dp/B0CJDX6M4T/ref%3Dsr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.B3Ix3A18crMSXOm1tqiByQKSwArSiUic-C3GgE7IFfx5C27yhBF26M5iDV2ZIIS06ndtmLpbmeLhzFWk04FRV4uIdZG89xJlKWQ-VJdyXJLEgdqGE1G0nSohU70wMvTWGs2hN_G5qh8_DtKZn2ZQaUdy2ZEyUSzEX8Fj7pqS9kWdTIc1yl5DAJof3ndSzpE85AQnmEC-ipVRI-tFrUHxg_K2p44cNt1m2cBOLHoelO4.QgBXy1jxbh6vamVYov3sCw-LawOAxfcTWlsIFV7PHk4&dib_tag=se&keywords=tablet+android+for+car&qid=1720441271&sr=8-10&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122354513#Comment_122354513

Bit ugly. Integrated unit would look a lot smarter.

dulpit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122354513#Comment_122354513

Did some snooping, there's loads of options out there but they all have the same deal breaker - even the pricier models don't support steering wheel controls (apart from volume).

Looks like I'll just have to wait for my next car.

Murt2024

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122358201#Comment_122358201

If you have it connected via Bluetooth to your main car stereo they should or an aux cable.

Montage of Feck

Maybe try a Chinese Android head unit off ali express, they definitely have their limitations but if you just want a relativetily easy way to replace a non din stereo with android auto it could be an option.

dulpit

Just a little update on this. As a punt, I grabbed a stand alone android auto screen, it came with a steering wheel remote in the box so figured I'd use that. But when I set it up, it connects properly with the bluetooth in the car, so my phone connects to both the device and the car and audio out is via bluetooth through my car, and the steering wheel controls still work normally. Very happy with it.

Obviously not as refined as an inbuilt unit, but I like it.