I'm about to buy a used Octavia and am thinking year 2013 or newer. There are plenty of options available with the HU (Swing, Bolero, etc) and there are also possibilities to upgrade the HU to a 3rd-party provider.

 

Could anyone please help me understand what I need to look for to get a car compatible with Android Auto?

 

1. What year and HU-type do I need to get native Android Auto compatibility?
2. Can any year/HU be upgraded later to get Android Auto compatibility?

 

Thanks in advance!

You need a car that is 2016MY (built after 25/5/15) to have SmartLink (which includes Android Auto/Apple CarPlay/MirrorLink) with a Bolero or above. You can upgrade any Octavia 3 to run SmartLink by changing the radio but it involves removing component protection from another radio and then coding outside the dealer network to get it all working. I have a 2016 Amundsen running a Columbus screen in my 2014 vRS

Thank you for your excellent reply! Couldn't I also buy any MKIII-model and install for example an Alpine system in it?

Yes you could or a Pioneer one

I had an MY16 with compatability but even then I had to pay the dealer a £120 ransom to get it activated. The mrs has a fabia monte carlo and it came as standard on that. I find it more useful now I use spotify, maps is ok too but it has very limted functionality by design

alpine make a MK3 specific unit but its expensive. your best bet is as mentioned above. i switched both the screen and HU to a facelift 8" with sashas advice...

HU £150 + gps sharkfin. 
screen £200

CP Removal £50
HU coding £180

 

Edited 26 December, 20187 yr by JohnnyType2

17 hours ago, JohnnyType2 said:

alpine make a MK3 specific unit but its expensive. your best bet is as mentioned above. i switched both the screen and HU to a facelift 8" with sashas advice...

HU £150 + gps sharkfin. 
screen £200

CP Removal £50
HU coding £180

 

 

Hi JohnnyType2,

how did you get Netflix on your Android Auto screen? Is it a rooted phone with "special" AA version?

4 hours ago, kogabe said:

 

Hi JohnnyType2,

how did you get Netflix on your Android Auto screen? Is it a rooted phone with "special" AA version?

rooted and running AAmirror and also wirelessly connected to android auto using AAgateway

Edited 27 December, 20187 yr by JohnnyType2