Looks interesting, but surely having the dealer add the correct sales code is going to be difficult?

 

Only for 2018MY cars, it says.
They started building those in April 2017.

"NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: NAFTA"

Nothing new, i'm afraid

 

I don't suppose any UK based owners know the best way to retrofit the dual USB and writch2 code etc? I have a late 17 with 51. Firmware

 

Basically, you can't it seems. The only way to add this to the car is purchase the extra aftermarket box that plugs in under the steering wheel. Box costs about €330 (can't remember what it's called), this adds Android Auto (only if you USB connect your phone to the front socket by the cup holders) and Apple Car Play (wirelessly). It also then gives you the option to wire in a reversing camera.

 

It's all on here... Apple Carplay for 2017 model, we may just had a new option!

 

Wow interesting alternative. Looks good, and cleaner than the original interface. I use android but assume that won't make too much difference?

I do believe I have the correct firmware version and hopefully just need the duel usb. I'm now wondering whether an aftermarket product would actually be better. I just want to use Spotify flawlessly!

Thanks

 

Yeah that's what I've heard. I only have one in the armrest and under the console itself. You need to get two usb ports retrofit in order for it to work apparently.

 

Cheers 👍

 

I in person tried all 3 paths on my customer cars, so can share you a bit of feedback (say dated based on 2020 Apr/May experience):

Retrofitting original AA/ACP: correct hub (really not dual needed I think - just right one - see there is plenty of 2018/19 Giulia&Stelvios with factory AA/ACP and single USB hub) and going through rest of activaion (proxi/Witech) is one option, but it requires 2nd generation headunit, so one which firmware version starts at least from MV051.xxx.xxx (in some documents FCA mentiones MV003.xxx.xxx but such I never seen on the road cars), and then also firmware upgrade to at least MV056.xxx.xxx (but better way newer as early AA/ACP firmwares caused a lot of troubles with some phones - e.g. I had MV059 from factory and plenty of issues with establishing connections with any of 3 phones I had on any cable, where on newer cars with MV072 it was working 100% fine). Aside of need of proxi change (in some cars manufactured in 2018 but without AA/ACP there may be also SGW to bypass first), friendly and willing to help dealer with Witech2 is required to agree to finish activation. Don't go other order in activation as radio will be locked for AA/ACP off forever. Only cable AA/ACP here, and no dual scren support for 8.8 displays (as far, there is petition to FCA maybe something will change one day?).

Eng custom solution. Car I installed it to - intermediate loom to radio went very loose/easily, and we had trouble with disapperaing right channel of AUX (AUX is used to transfer all sound/voice from this add on device so it was real issue) - after bit of playing with connector we got that sorted - looks for good. Firmware seems bit more mature (vs KAP). Problem is call quality - issues with echo very often (various phones used Android and Apple), and voice level on the other side of call was bit too low. We tried also different microphone (Pioneer CRM1083) and tried different installation point for mic (original above rear view mirror, we tried also beside instrument cluster which was worse - quieter but with the same echo). My customer is not fully happy about this one thing, rest is very good.
On Android Auto this device gives dual screen support if one has 8.8 display.
Carplay on WiFi (and USB), AA only cable (Althought I heard recently that there may be update to do AA on WiFi - not sure about it).

KAP Trade solution. late Dec firmwares were incomplete in functions (in Oct ENG had already kind of complete set of features), late Jan seemed to address most of major lacks vs ENG Custom, there were some other issues, and new firmwares released which guy who choose KAP (and I installed it in his GIulia) got from KAP (good support, very quick - here is big plus). Microphone was not the best (Again separate microphone) - too quiet - we used Pioneer CRM1083 instead and all improved and my customer happy. With intermediate radio loom there were issues to plug to radio - contacts must been very tight or not self postinoning right, so it was bit of fight of tilting/pressing/attempts to get it in postion, and even though it finally went it, it was hard to lock the plug on radio, but no contact issues.
On Android Auto, the device works in single screen mode and stretches horizontally for 8.8" displays - looks bit odd (round icons are bit of flat elypses, text is wide, no benefit of wide screen really).
Carplay on WiFi (and USB), AA on USB only.

Eng Custom and KAP advantage is they will be likely upgraded in future, where I expect FCA is likely won't update anything to extend functionality, especially as they deal now with face lifted models likely as only priority..

Choice is not that obvious IMHO, luckily I do not need to make such - my Veloce is with factory AA/ACP, and I hope one day there will be device which I plug to USB and gain AA over WiFi (such solution for ACP exist, so maybe I change to iPhone and buy such?). I raraly need to use AA currently (holiday trip navigation), so I'm also OK to connect via USB in such cases (and keep phone charged), in future maybe guy from xda-developers.com (Emil), will come with 100% working solution for WiFi AA (I used his solution/beta apks for some time with 2nd phone working as AA bridge, but it was not fully stable/reliable, and newer versions which he did completely stopped, and then after phone upgraded to newer android even old betas were newarly impossible to start without crash, so I gave up, but I know he works on off the shelf bridge device to add WiFi AA to cars withtout such (but with USB AA)).

 

That's fantastic, thanks for the comprehensive information there rally interesting!
My situation is I have a late 2017 model and today I have updated from .051 to 056, which everything still works great. Id love to use AA, so I guess the next step would be to get a dealer to use Witech2 and to agree to finish activation like you've said? Or are there other people who can do this? I wouldn't want to try upgrade it to the 085 on my own as Iv heard that could cause problems like you've mentioned.
In terms of aftermarket solutions, at the moment I'm not to bothered, with the extra hassle, the system I think is great, just a shame I can't use Spotify via the usb.
Great feedback though, best I've seen so far.👍

 

That's fantastic, thanks for the comprehensive information there rally interesting!
My situation is I have a late 2017 model and today I have updated from .051 to 056, which everything still works great. Id love to use AA, so I guess the next step would be to get a dealer to use Witech2 and to agree to finish activation like you've said? Or are there other people who can do this? I wouldn't want to try upgrade it to the 085 on my own as Iv heard that could cause problems like you've mentioned.
In terms of aftermarket solutions, at the moment I'm not to bothered, with the extra hassle, the system I think is great, just a shame I can't use Spotify via the usb.
Great feedback though, best I've seen so far.👍

NO! as your radio will loose AA/ACP possibility forever. first you must do changes in proxi to get your car ready to accept Witech2 activation. Proxi changes can't be done on Witech (that was only for USA MY2018 cars where Alfa Romeo sold them with promise to add AA/ ACP layer as update). As your car does not qualify for such recall/update(non US my2018 with this aa/acp prewired option what they called it there), you need to use e.g. MES to do specific proxi changes first(in bytes 115,157,161 and 163), before you go to dealer. best to put right hub which is compatible for AA/ACP (dual does not mean compatible- must be right one) and then do as last thing dealer activation (and reset /reboot of radio what is say 10 minutes close of car)

 

If you run Android Auto on your phone you can run Spotify as well. In fact, I do that in my 2017 car. Obviously you don't get the map on the car screen if you use the phone for navigation but I have my phone by the centre vent so it's close.
I have Spotify and nav directions out of the car speakers and can speak to it as normal to ask it to play things etc. Just cost me £14 for the phone mount.

 

Yeah I've been switching between that and Bluetooth. But it's just one of them things where if it's possible,it would be nice to have. It seems like it might be too much hassle for what it's worth. I haven't experienced any dealers yet and there are only a hand full where I am.
Or I could just listen to the radio I guess...

 

i bought the ENG module for my 66 plate, cost me around 300 pounds including delivery , a job of 20 to 30 minutes , i did it myself just need the right tools , now i enjoy the Android auto , works like a dream , beside i had a video chat with the engineer from Italy concerning some questions and updates, just go for it

 

proper installation including milling/glueing place for microphone in cover above rear view mirror, setup, tests took around 3h. but that included securing all wires with textile tapes where applicapble and zip ties, securing the unit so it does not move etc.

 

Did somebody tried to fit something like this ? It is actually android OS that you have beside standard system...

 

Did somebody tried to fit something like this ? It is actually android OS that you have beside standard system...

My customer bought something like you are presenting here in Dec 2019. I can't remember details (as I didn't install it, just heard a few words story on this), but it did not worked fully, there were some attempts to contact seller, he got some support, instructions on how to get into debug menu what to change there etc, but that did not helped, so he decided to return it and he bought KAP Trade device and later come to me for installation.

Note that in Giulia versions these 10.25" devices are flipped - screen is installed not horizontally (on the picture they flipped display to hide it?)

 

Great thanks for that, and apologies for not understanding first time. I'm all new to this 😂. Previous cars have had a easy pull out single din radio.
Things used to be so much easier.
I'll let you know how I've got on.

 

Sorry for sounding stupid but what is a MES? Just trying to work out what to do next.

 

MES is software to allow OBD diagnostics, change of configuration etc - it has some features Witech2 lacks (you can change proxi), in other hand it lacks other features Witech2 has (firmware upgrades). You need for this OBD interface (such as ELM or some other compatible; with removed redundant termination resistor - compatible with Fiat/Alfa) + 2 adapters (gray+blue) to allow proxi reprogramming, or buy MES Multiplexed with their OBD interface with built in multiplexer (no need for adapters). More information either on forum somewhere for sure, or on multiecuscan.net

 

Great thanks, Is something that I could myself or would a professional need to do it?

 

you coudl do yourself, but needs bit of reading through forums to get familiar with everything.

 

Thanks I will do that (might wait untill my warranty has expired!)

One last question, would you recommend me update to 085. I read on the original post that updating past 072 required Witech2.

 

go to infotainment update topic first post, there is a lot of info. theoretically you should get some other units updated, but practically it is not needed (the same applies to MV072 and MV090)

 

Cool, yeah I've just read that when the dealer gets it they will update the units, but I can still update to MV090 now.

Gonna have a go of the MV090 update now, then figure out which route to go down for AA.

Thanks for your help!

 

if your car is on warranty, then better is to go to dealer and complain that your radio sometimes looses bookmark FMs or restarts and you know that there is an update to most recent version. then they got back to also apply othere updates mentioned by relevant service news.

just example from yesterday - friend of mine had MV056 originally, I updated him to latest, checked other firmwares (IPC,BCM,ABS,L/RBSS,PAM), all were not meeting minimal version critiera and shoudl get updated. He was in dealership to repair leak from radiator junction, and ask to apply also updates as I advised him. Dealer said not updates for him... He wanted to do it as paid service, but my impresssion is dealers are not necessarily the first to apply non recall updates. If I was there, I woudl have arguments, quote relevant service news etc, but he didn't remembered all the things I told him.
I'm not sure also if first thing which on some cars needs to be done to get updates of other units is not Restore of proxi configuration - surelly for getting ABS updated from some older versions of firmwares it is one of steps described by Service News 55.004.19 - special procedure to get all updates in. Standard technician in dealership may not know this on top of his head.
It was the case for me when I upgraded radio - they were not aware, and it was me who said I'm not leaving dealership until they apply procedures required by FCA specific Service News.
Just mentioning not to treat updates as so easy walk - you need to know more than your dealer and step in there with solid information/requirements, and check if they did full job.

 

nobody of us will give you 100% guarantee in case of specific unlikely car troubles if dealer will not be trying to blame added device, but chance is rather very low. you may expect if you start reporting say battery issue or some electrics issues, then they may start asking (if they notice), but for say other issues no reason to blame 3rd party device. up to you, price of adding OEM solution will be similar as adding box, or even lower if you find proper USB hub 2nd hand (like I did once bought for EUR60 with complete centre tunel & alloy panels from 2019 stelvio)

 

Thank you so much for the reply . The issue is I am struggling to find the correct OEM part, I don't know if I am just being an idiot though . Am I correct in thinking that a few things would need to enabled too after the installation of the USB hub?

Also sorry if you are having to repeat yourself at all, there are just so many conflicting threads about this. Some even saying the OEM solution might not work with certain models etc.

 

dual USB hubs with AA/ACP are e.g. these numbers 156138299 156147799, problem is brand new prixe approaching EUR300 and hardly available - usually no stock even in Italy Torino main storehouse (in such cases may need to be ordered with priority (extra paid a bit) and may show up in week or two in your supplier). But better to find 2nd hand from say mid 2018 production car with dual USB - if I recollect in that time duals were only used with AA/ACP option.
First, your ETM firmware must be at least MV056.xxx.xxx, but install latest MV090 available on the forum.
After changing hub, you need to do a few bytes modification in proxi using e.g. MES software- 115 whatever you had to x15 (dual hub with AUX), 157 lowest bit to 1 (this enables projection mode) so e.g. x30 to x31 for Giulias xB0 to xB1 for Stelvio, 161 probably you have x00 change to x03 (bits are for both enabled carplay and android auto) and 163 will be x02 (this means no touch screen), then run proxi alignment, then as last step (must be that order otherwise you will lock your radio forever for no AA/ACP!!!) you go to dealer and with their Witech2 in ETM module go to activate Carplay function. After radio reboot (e.g. car closed for a few minutes) your AA/ACP works. Had it done succuesfully for a few customers already.