HELP Please - UConnect 8.4 —-> CarPlay

[TCalYen]

Hi All!

New to the forum but in no way new to the power and knowledge and bad assness of forums.

Just bought a 2017 RAM R/T with a UCONNECT 8.4 system in it…

So this will be great if someone has a solution or advice.

I can connect my phone via Bluetooth just fine. However when I use the two available USB ports in the center console, the phone does not connect. Is this supposed to happen. I do see that you can connect a device using an aux jack… but who uses that any more?!?!

Ultimately what I would like to do is use one of those plug in devices you see all over social media that allows you to watch video from your phone on the head unit screen.

Is there a way to get CarPlay on the UConnect 8.4 unit?

I’m basically asking about compatibility and whether any of you guys watch your phones on your head unit screens.

Thanks in advance for any help!

TCalYen

 

[crash68]

Is there a way to get CarPlay on the UConnect 8.4 unit?

Unfortunately support for AndroidAuto and CarPlay didn't start till the '18 model year.
If you want to run an OEM 8.4 you'll need to upgrade to one from a '18 or newer version along with the Media USB hub. There's entire thread on this subject.

The other option is aftermarket, check out https://www.crutchfield.com/
They offer near plug and play set ups.

 

[TCalYen]

Enough said. Exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks man!

 

[62Blazer]

I'm not an audio expert by any means. As mentioned the '17 does not support Carplay. On my '16 I could plug in my IPhone to the one USB port in the center console and it would connect. I could call and play music this way.
I did recently update to Carplay by replacing the stock 8.4 with a cheap Amazon 9" unit from Junsun. This unit does support Carplay. However it doesn't support watching videos like through YouTube on the screen. You have to use some other method to do that. Get on YouTube and there are several videos of how to do it, usually with downloading an app or something like that.

 

[Grams]

Unfortunately support for AndroidAuto and CarPlay didn't start till the '18 model year.
If you want to run an OEM 8.4 you'll need to upgrade to one from a '18 or newer version along with the Media USB hub. There's entire thread on this subject.

The other option is aftermarket, check out https://www.crutchfield.com/
They offer near plug and play set ups.

Are you sure about that Android-Auto not being available ‘til ‘18…?
My ‘15 Ram 1500 grabbed my Android Cell phone right off the bat…and my only previous Android-Auto use of that cell ph has been in my ‘24 Ram.

I admit my inexperience with this Android-Auto….so I’m open to being educated about it.

 

[Johnny Paycheck]

Define “grabbed”. My ‘18 U8.4 worked just fine with my iPhone apps. Used maps and whatnot with no issues. The ‘17 U8.4 doesn’t have CarPlay and won’t interact with the phone aside from Bluetooth connection and answering calls, but it’s definitely not as capable.

As far as watching videos, the Kenwood DMX4707S in the ‘18 allows me to watch whatever I can hook the A/V cables to. I have a mini dvd player for that. Not sure I can do anything with my iPhone directly. I haven’t really looked.

 

[tron67j]

Are you sure about that Android-Auto not being available ‘til ‘18…?
My ‘15 Ram 1500 grabbed my Android Cell phone right off the bat…and my only previous Android-Auto use of that cell ph has been in my ‘24 Ram.

I admit my inexperience with this Android-Auto….so I’m open to being educated about it.

Android Auto (and Car Play) generally refers to the use of apps via the phone's applications. For example, I can connect my phone to my 2019 8.4 head unit (in my 2018) and then use the radio touchscreen to set a destination using the Google apps on my phone; everything displays on my radio. Many vehicles have integrated phone usage through the entertainment system for years without AA or CP.

 

[TCalYen]

Unfortunately support for AndroidAuto and CarPlay didn't start till the '18 model year.
If you want to run an OEM 8.4 you'll need to upgrade to one from a '18 or newer version along with the Media USB hub. There's entire thread on this subject.

The other option is aftermarket, check out https://www.crutchfield.com/
They offer near plug and play set ups.

For the life of me I cannot find the thread. Can you link me to it. Just need clear advisement on how to do the install, what additional things I need to buy, etc. Thanks!

 

[crash68]

For the life of me I cannot find the thread. Can you link me to it.

The ORM radio is Plug-n-Play but depending on which USB hub you use it may take a little modification to get it to fit.
Here's one of the many threads on how to: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-install-a-2018-4c-uaq-uas-radio-in-2013-2017-ram.116140/
Or search the forum for UAQ or UAS, those are the radios your looking for.

For the media hub wiring adapter: https://www.m2mods4ram.com/
I used the Chrysler 200 media hub, part#: 68283703AA

 

[TCalYen]

The ORM radio is Plug-n-Play but depending on which USB hub you use it may take a little modification to get it to fit.
Here's one of the many threads on how to: https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-install-a-2018-4c-uaq-uas-radio-in-2013-2017-ram.116140/
Or search the forum for UAQ or UAS, those are the radios your looking for.

For the media hub wiring adapter: https://www.m2mods4ram.com/
I used the Chrysler 200 media hub, part#: 68283703AA

Thanks man… really appreciated. Going to do it. Just need to find the radio for sale somewhere… couple on eBay. I will look through the threads.

Will any 2018 ram 8.4 unit work? Forgive me but when you say “usb hub”, are you talking about the ports in the center console.

Mind if I DM you as I have questions?

Thanks!

 

[crash68]

Are you sure about that Android-Auto not being available ‘til ‘18…?

Yes positive, the original 8.4AN radio in my '15 didn't support AndroidAuto. It wasn't till I swapped the radio out to a 8.4 UAQ radio from an '18 truck.
Any '17 or older Ram truck radio just supported a Bluetooth connection to a phone, that's not AndroidAuto or CarPlay functionality.

 

[crash68]

Will any 2018 ram 8.4 unit work? Forgive me but when you say “usb hub”, are you talking about the ports in the center console.

There are some Jeep radios I believe that bolt in but can't say for sure, there's been a few mentioned in various threads you'll probably come across while you reading up on the subject.
Yes it the USB Media hub, the one on the left if you have a center console. This connects to the radio, which allows the data transfer. I also run an AAWireless module so I don't have to plug into the radio. There's a thread on how to make the hub turn On/Off with the truck. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/fi...eyed-power-for-aa-cp-wireless-adapter.189497/
You can PM me but you can also mention me like this: @crash68 in any open thread on this forum, that way other people can answer also. There's lots of very knowledgeable people on this forum.

 

[TCalYen]

Thanks brother… all in… how much do you think everything I need will cost. There are a bunch of radio units on eBay from $750-$1,000 dollars…

I’ll do the install no problem.

 

[TCalYen]

Here is one for example. May pull the plug tomorrow unless you recommend otherwise. The knobs and controls do not match my 2017 R/T.

UNIT’S eBay LISTING

 

[jawzs2]

Here is one for example. May pull the plug tomorrow unless you recommend otherwise. The knobs and controls do not match my 2017 R/T.

UNIT’S eBay LISTING

Probably not going to work correctly, see here - Post # 4,047

Need one these - Post # 3.881

As suggested above, browse thru the above-mentioned thread, most of questions you have been asked and answered 50 times

 

[TCalYen]

Thanks! Will do… Appreciate your knowledge…!!!

 

[62Blazer]

Are you sure about that Android-Auto not being available ‘til ‘18…?
My ‘15 Ram 1500 grabbed my Android Cell phone right off the bat…and my only previous Android-Auto use of that cell ph has been in my ‘24 Ram.

I admit my inexperience with this Android-Auto….so I’m open to being educated about it.

It's already been answered, but what you are describing is not Android Auto or Apple Carplay. You can do phone calls through the audio system based on the phone, and you can play music. But playing music through the phone is not any different then plugging in a USB storage device. Android Auto or Apple Carplay basically mirror your phone screen on the truck display.

 

[62Blazer]

Thanks brother… all in… how much do you think everything I need will cost. There are a bunch of radio units on eBay from $750-$1,000 dollars…

I’ll do the install no problem.

I understand wanting an OEM replacement, but I paid $130 on Amazon for a 9" Junsun unit.

 

[Grams]

Yeah…. my “new to me” 2015 Ram 1500 has the OEM radio…without the backup camera with which my new ‘24 Ram 2500 has spoiled me…

So, looking on Amazon I see a replacement product that incorporates AM/FM, Android Auto and a backup camera with a fairly simple-looking swap-out for about $120.

Very tempting.

 

[motogrrl]

Yes - CarPlay will not allow you to run video through your standard head unit regardless of the year you upgrade to. It has the automated safety elements in it and will not allow video. You would have to to replace with a completely different unit and not run CarPlay to do that.