Hi there. I have a 2016 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI DSG with the Columbus radio. I would like a wireless airplay adapter, but I don’t want it to be visible. Is there anyway to add an extra USB port for the radio in the back of the radio? I still need my front USB port to be active :)

Is this the sort of thing you want? 

No not quite. I need to installl this one: https://re-stream.se/product/wireless-carplay-dongle/ in the back of the radio, so it is not visible from the outside. 

Not possible. The unit only has 1 USB port and that's populated with the one factory fitted. You can't add another with full functionality, but you can add one for charging.

Okay, so if I unmount the one fitted in my console, put it in the back of the radio with my Apple airplay device, I can get a new USB port, that fits the hole I unplugged the original from? Is there a link for that item?

 

 Sorry for my bad English 😕

You might be able to do that, but I don't know about fitting a different USB port in the place of the old one. It's something I've never considered before.

 

Is it not possible to simply plug the adapter into the existing USB, and find another place to fit the second one for charging.

 

 

Yeah but then I have the Apple wireless adapter visible, and that’s the whole point to get it out of sight.

54 minutes ago, Soren1984 said:

Yeah but then I have the Apple wireless adapter visible, and that’s the whole point to get it out of sight.

 

I think Rustynuts may have been suggesting dismount the USB that you have at present, move it behind the console and plug in you adapter.  If you then wish another USB for charging, you could mount it anywhere you wish in the car.

Yeah but then I have a hole in my old usb slot  but if there is a usb that fits in that slot, and can be set to 12V, that would be great

Sorry I'm not able to help with your usb solution but I did notice that the dongle you linked to is a lot more expensive than these altenatives which would save you quite a few pounds:

 

https://carplay2air.com/

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000333382779.html?srcSns=sns_Copy&tid=white_backgroup_101&mb=ObVJ0Pe5bD6J1zQ&spreadType=socialShare&tt=sns_Copy&image=Ue5392a149a2a477b9563b99776841e250.jpg&aff_request_id=5a16018abb61464a9331ab0329399c7c-1587029656620-00942-bUtAZM5XV&aff_platform=default&sk=bUtAZM5XV&aff_trace_key=5a16018abb61464a9331ab0329399c7c-1587029656620-00942-bUtAZM5XV&businessType=ProductDetail&title=%EF%BF%A198.71++20%EF%BC%85+Off+%7C+Carlinkit+CarPlay+Wireless+Activator+for+Audi+A3+A4+A5+A6+A7+Q7+Q2+R8+Q5+MMI+2017-2019+has+built-in+Original+Wired+CarPlay&platform=AE&terminal_id=ee76f13a1e4747abaffcb3459eda2a73

Thank you. But I’ve read about other adapters, that they have problems with lags and delay from the screen to the phone? Don’t know if anyone have the linked ones?

20 minutes ago, Soren1984 said:

Yeah but then I have a hole in my old usb slot  but if there is a usb that fits in that slot, and can be set to 12V, that would be great

 

USB sockets run at 5v, so don't be putting 12v through it.

Best way I can think is to buy another USB socket like the existing, a new cable to connect it, and connect the new one in behind the brain in the glove box, with your adapter plugged in (and hope you don't need to get to it often). Then disconnect the wire from the rear of the existing USB socket, use another new connection cable and rig it to a USB supply, and plug this into thge rear of the existing socket.

Edited 4 August, 20205 yr by Rustynuts

Yeah exactly. Do you know wich cable I can use to connect the USB to a USB supply? And where do I find a USB supply in the car?

 

 Sorry for all my dumb questions 🤦🏼‍♂️

This is possible, I’ve done it to my car and for another member. You need a donor VW USB and you can either use a VW USB hub for this and add as a source in the radio or you can do as I have done and build a USB that goes in the socket to charge with a donor VW USB and a USB hub from Amazon. Cut the insulation off the Amazon USB, put it inside the VW USB case, run it to the fusebox for power, hide the CarPlay dongle behind the A/C trim. Job done  

 

 

That’s exactly was I was searching for. Do you maybe have a link to the parts you used? Thank you so much 😊 

Any USB hub will do and you make the wiring loom to a switched 12V source in the fusebox. Any donor VW USB will do, 5Q0035724E was the one I used because I had it but you can use the case from your current USB if you are in a pinch.

Hi Sasha - did you splice into an existing switched 12V lead or run direct to the fusebox?

@SashaGrace I'm trying to understand what you have done but I don't understand (yet). I want a second USB port just like Soren1984, not only a USB port with 5V. On the photo you shared I see a second USB port that just has 5V.

 

I would like to know how you implemented the Amazon USB hub because that is the part I don't get/understand.

 

Many thanks in advance.. :-)

Direct to fusebox.

 

On the Amazon hub there are 2 USB’s but I only used one, I removed the VAG USB for a wireless CarPlay dongle so then I cut the insulation off the USB and put it in a donor VAG USB case and clipped it all in.

On 04/08/2020 at 21:06, SashaGrace said:

This is possible, I’ve done it to my car and for another member. You need a donor VW USB and you can either use a VW USB hub for this and add as a source in the radio or you can do as I have done and build a USB that goes in the socket to charge with a donor VW USB and a USB hub from Amazon. Cut the insulation off the Amazon USB, put it inside the VW USB case, run it to the fusebox for power, hide the CarPlay dongle behind the A/C trim. Job done  

 

 

Could you please help me. I had radio in my octavia 2014 and changed it for original multimedia 5e0035864a but usb cable doesn't match. Could you post picture of usb cable for multimedia or even better could you give me link of usb that I should buy if it is possible?

Thank you very much in advance

On 04/08/2020 at 17:55, Soren1984 said:

No not quite. I need to installl this one: https://re-stream.se/product/wireless-carplay-dongle/ in the back of the radio, so it is not visible from the outside. 

@Soren1984 What's been your experience of using this dongle? Has it been reliable? Would you still choose this dongle today or are there better ones you're aware of?

Edited 31 December, 20214 yr by Octavia_2014

How do I remove the old usb on my mk3 changed the head unit and glove box unit. Now need to change the usb and can’t get the old one out.

I’ve got the flap down just can’t get the usb out

On 01/07/2025 at 03:31, xbassyx said:

How do I remove the old usb on my mk3 changed the head unit and glove box unit. Now need to change the usb and can’t get the old one out.

I’ve got the flap down just can’t get the usb out

Hi mate, similar situation any updates?