Does the 2017 VV7 support CarPlay?

[Elisa]

The 2017 VV7 does not support CarPlay. More relevant information is as follows: 1. Introduction to CarPlay: CarPlay is an in-car system released by Apple Inc. of the United States, which seamlessly integrates users' iOS devices and iOS experience with the dashboard system. There are mainly three ways to control CarPlay: Siri, touch screen display, and physical buttons. 2. Functions of Siri: Users can communicate with the car through Siri, instructing the car on what to do next. They can also hear the system read out messages received on the phone and reply using voice dictation. Touch screen display: Some cars that support CarPlay are equipped with a touch screen display, allowing users to open or close applications on a relatively simple home screen. Physical buttons: Cars with physical buttons can control CarPlay, with functions like volume control and track switching seamlessly integrated.

[Angel]

Our car enthusiast group has researched this issue, and indeed the 2017 VV7 does not support native CarPlay because Wey's infotainment system was independently developed at that time. However, there are still solutions! The most reliable method is to have a professional modification shop install a decoding module, which costs around 500-800 RMB and can be plugged into the USB port in the center console to enable CarPlay. It's important to note that modifications may affect some original vehicle functions, such as steering wheel track controls potentially malfunctioning. I recommend trying to update the infotainment system first - I've seen cases where iPhone screen mirroring was accidentally enabled after an upgrade. If that seems too troublesome, using Bluetooth for phone navigation is actually sufficient for most needs.

[VanMia]

Last year, I specifically asked a technician at the 4S shop and confirmed that none of the 2017 models natively support CarPlay. Actually, most domestic cars were like that at the time, with Great Wall more inclined to use their own connectivity system. However, there's a little trick on the left side of the steering wheel: press and hold the voice button for 5 seconds to activate Siri, so at least you can use voice commands. If you want to DIY, I suggest buying a Lightning to HDMI cable and trying it with the screen's AV interface—some people on the forum have succeeded. Nowadays, there are shops on Taobao that specialize in CarPlay modifications. You don’t need to replace the central control screen; just add a small box, but it will affect the warranty, so think carefully about that.

[ValeriaMarie]

Tested my friend's 2017 VV7, the original car indeed doesn't have CarPlay. However, you can fiddle with the SD card slot on the center console: first update the infotainment system to the latest version, then download the cracked firmware from the Autohome forum. Note to prepare a high-speed SD card under 32GB, and don't cut power during the flashing process. After flashing, remember to enable the mobile interconnect permission in settings. Recently discovered a new method: using a Carlinkit adapter box with Android Auto can indirectly achieve similar functionality, but requires keeping the phone hotspot on. Of course, the easiest solution is still using a phone mount.

[CadenMarie]

As a long-time owner, I can responsibly say that the 2017 VV7's factory infotainment system didn't come with CarPlay functionality - domestic car connectivity was still developing back then. However, there's a workaround now: spend around 200 yuan to get a wireless CarPlay receiver that plugs into the USB port. Just be aware that this car's USB power supply can be unstable, so it's better to add a voltage regulator. My personal suggestion is to simply use your phone for navigation - it's more reliable, and the car's audio system supports lossless Bluetooth transmission with clear navigation voice prompts. If you frequently take long trips, installing a phone mount is more practical than tinkering with the infotainment system.