2017 - 2018 Mazda CX-5 Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Installation 

💸Purchase the retrofit kit here: amzn.to/4bgVp4z This is a video showing the installation procedures for the new auxiliary hub and cables to get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay running on a 2017 - 2018 Mazda CX-5. BE SURE TO INSTALL VERSION 70 OF THE FIRMWARE PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE NEW HARDWARE!!! Perform at your own risk. I am not responsible for any damage done to your vehicle. Firmware is located here: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vOcwLt7zYlpFS1wtDtdoz80SU7Ti8WnX Detailed information regarding firmware and hardware is all located at the following link: www.mazda3revolution.com/threads/mazda-connect-mzd-firmware-cp-aa-wcp-links-help.236775/

Just got a 2018 cx5. There’s no way in hell I’m paying $400+ for the dealer to upgrade me to AA/CP. I’m getting the kit and using this video to install it. It’s the best instructional video I’ve found so far.

Great video. I got the install done using just the video. Only difference is that I started the USB cables at the head unit so I was threading them down which mean no coat hangar. Much easier.

Another satisfied customer - worked perfectly the first time; I would not have been able to do it without the video. Thank you!

Thank you for this incredibly useful video! I managed to install the new USB hub without any issues in under two hours. Wouldn't have done it with just the installation instructions...

Great video, really appreciate you taking the time to do this walk through! A couple of thoughts: when taking off the very first trim panels (the two on either side of the center console) you really have to yank on those things and it helps to switch to the passenger seat when doing the righthand one to get more leverage. Also, the display panel is easy enough to get out but a huge PITA to get back in! I actually had to pry up the right side of the trim that goes around the speedometer in order to correctly fit the display back into it's housing

Thank you. After watching your video, I was able to do the same for the sport trim of my 2019 Mazda CX-5. It was really easy to do. Like others mentioned, it is easier to route the cable starting from the audio head unit end. That way you do not have to pull the cable up using a fish tape. Initially, I had paired the two cable heads paird wrong and I had to tear the foam wrap. I corrected my mistake and wrapped the two cables using a wire harness tape I bought from Amazon. It has been two months since the installation and there is no rattling what so ever.

Excellent video! Got Android Auto running without a flaw. My 6 and 8 year old kids loved helping me take apart the car too! Thanks for that. Good job.

Just did the install in about 30 minutes thanks to your video (did the wire foam in the house as soon as the kit came). Had the same issue as another person mentioned with clearance of the Head unit and the speedometer trim but that is easily fixed by pulling the speedometer trip off slightly. Thank you for the instructions made this job so easy and quick.

Just completed this in under an hour. Someone that works on their own vws and helped baby momma install this in her cx5, this was cake and love how the panels click on the Mazda vs vw. Once you remove on Vw it’s rattle galore. Thanks for the vid!

You're the man. Thanks for this video, made the install super easy and took me about 30 minutes to route everything. Thanks!

Thanks for this video! Great detail! I was able to update firmware using the link you provided and install wiring and unit in an afternoon! Carplay is working great! Thanks again!

Thanks for the video, it's the best out here to show how this is made. I studied it and was able to install the retrofit las weekend in my 2017 Mazda 3. The only difference was the side trims on the central console, my I touring doesn't have the leather ones and it's a whole piece but I just removed the gears cover to make sure I was routing the cables correctly.

Thank you so much my dude! Just finished successor installing it in our 18 Mazda CX-5. Great video, made it easy and gave me confidence to do it myself. Saved $200 compared to what the dealership would have charged me for the job, and that makes a big difference being Christmas season.

Thank you so much for making the video, seemed daunting at first but it turned out to be a fun little project.

This video is great!!!! Cheaper then the dealer. I didn't realize the upgrade required taking the whole dash apart! Damn! Thank you for this video. I'm buying a 2018 CX5 this year and have to have Carplay and now I know I can do it myself and what kit is required. thank you!

Awesome job 🙏 I know it’s not step-by-step but you show us how intense it takes haha. This can definitely be done. I’d say the most time intensive is taking apart the panels from the center console to screen. Routing the cables doesn’t take more than 30 mins. Everyone’s results may vary but good on zip tying and use of the padded tape to avoid rattling. Looks like a fun project though definitely takes some free time 🙂. Informative video in case I buy a used ‘17 cx5 touring / grand touring

Thank you so much for sharing this. I was able to perform the install easily by following this video! I will echo what others have stated though and say that feeding the cables from the dash end down was probably simpler as it required no fishing of a wire and all that.

Finally a video that show what's involved in English. Thank you. Well done. Took me 30 min just to find this.

Awesome video! Clearly you are a Mazda tech. Knowing where your tabs and clips are critical as they do easily break. Thank u for the video

Excellent video man. Can't wait to order the kit for my wife's CX-5 and get it installed.

This video was a huge help In getting this install done. If you’re on the fence about doing it, I have no car skills and made it happen with this video.

Thanks for the detailed guide man! You are a lofe saver!! Thanks a lot!!

Thank you for this most helpful video! It would have taken me two or three times longer to figure out how to remove all that trim if not for your video. Will done!

Thank you for the instructions, i was able to do this in my car saving labour charges

Thank you for the excellent and very thorough information! Have a great day!

The firmware update was the longest part. Thanks for this!

This video worked amazingly well. Thank you for posting. No issues.

Well done.... I'm about to try this on my 2015 Mazda 6... Waiting for the parts to arrive. Should be about 2 weeks.

Thanks for the video - great resource and got the install done!

Thank you very much, this video was tremendously helpful. I got everything apart and back together without breaking a single tab or clip. CarPlay and Android Auto are working perfectly, plus I also installed the OEM remote start system while I had everything apart.

Thanks for the video it really helped me in doing the change. The system works perfectly

thanks for the detailed walk through. It was very helpful for my install.

Not all heroes wear capes. This video was super helpful. Thank you !!!!

Thank you... so many people have already said this... but this surely made me confident enough to get this done.

Thanks for your video, Good Sir! I was able to install it in my 2017 CX-5.

I watched you put it all back together thinking...man this guy has a lot of confidence in this working the first time! Always better to test before you put all the trim pieces back together :-)

anyone else watch the first few minutes of this, and then convince yourself that you don't actually need AA or CP? lol

Thank you for the video. I did an installation today without any problems. It took me 1,5 h

Thank you sir! Saved me $250 and only took about an hour and a half.

This should be a fun project for myself. Thank you!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INCREDIBLE INSTRUCTION VIDEO It strikes me that how clumsy the Mazda manage this upgrade, you have to bleed 500 $ to have the dealer do it for you or take the risk and spent time to do it yourself with NO official support from Mazda. I installed mine with help from you and other videos on youtube. Finding firmware also take time and efforts. The cable that came from Mazda genuine part was arranged in wrong way had to rip off the sponge coat and realign. They even failed to design a common sense cable with all the confusion about the color of the connectors and wires! Disappointed by Mazda big time

Nice video , I got my 2017 Mazda CX5 GT brand new and now just gonna install the android auto and apple car play thing to it lol

Hi, your video is great and very helpful, thank you!

Why would anyone dislike this video, I don't know. It has been very helpful in successfully installing AA. Thank you for posting this.

Great step-by-step video!

Just used this video and it was ideal! no difference between this and my right hand drive UK car either. The only bit I didn't really pay enough attention to, was to foam wrap both cables together. I did one, and then realised my mistake. Kit purchased from amazon for ~£80

After watching this I happy I let the Mazda folks do this for me . . . It was worth the money . . . This is very complicated and interesting.

Great tutorial installation was a breeze!!!

Such a helpful video! Thank you very much for posting!!

Worked also in my cx5 2019, thank you !

very thorough, thank you!

Wow! I guess I see why Mazda charges almost $500 for it. Great job!

It would have been so much easier for Mazda to have included AppleCarPlay years ago knowing that they would be enabling that in the future. They should have put usb 3.0 on it from the beginning and none of this would be required. Thanks for showing us all how to do this but I don’t think I’ll be able to do this on my Mazda 3. I love your blue paint job! That’s the color I wanted but the trim I wanted didn’t have it available.

Hi, Thanks for the video, very useful! Can I ask if is common that Mazda build in maps aren't working once the new unit is installed? And that it loses the car GPS location? Do I need to connect the original cable as well along with the 2 new ones?

Thanks for the vid. After watching I guess the installation kind of worth the price dealership is charging....

Very informative video. Thank you very much. About to purchase a used 2018 CX5 Touring model for the wife. Just curious does yours have satellite radio?

Thank you for this video. I installed car play today...would not have been possible with out this

Great video! Followed each step and was successfully able to add car-play to my wife's Mazda CX-5. Honestly, it was not that difficult.

Have 2016 CX-5 & Mazda 3. Thanks for the video. I am shocked at all that is required for a 2018 CX-5 given Mazda claimed to have partnered with Carplay several years ago. Clearly Mazda did zero preparation for what they are touting as (per mailing they sent me) “this innovative technology”. At this late date it is not innovative. You had to disassemble the center console, dash, glove box, and add new wiring. For a 2018, I would have thought a company listed several years as a CarPlay partner would have simply required a software upgrade. The fine print of the mailing my dealer sent me refers to it as a coupon but doesn’t give details of the value nor the cost of the install. I called and it turns out based on my vin it is compatible but not eligible for the coupon although when I first inquired the service department was not aware of the coupon. I will call back later to find out which of the 2 vins that was based on. I suspect the coupon is valid on 2018’s and maybe 2017’s. My cost would be $410 in southern Cali. Based on your video, I am guessing most of that is labor. I saw a video a couple of years ago of a Ford upgrade to Carplay and it basically involved replacing the usb module and updating software...that was it. The fact that you had to replace wiring tells me Mazda gave little thought to supporting Carplay until they realized that choice was affecting sales and their MazdaConnect was not innovative or even desirable.

Awesome, detailed video!

Thank you from Indonesia 🇮🇩🇮🇩

Hello wich software version you had into yourte 2018 model plse, on mine from 2018 too, i have 70.00.100 not necessary to upgrade normaly...

Im having a helluva time disconnecting the aux box .. specifically the connector to the SD drive...any suggestions?

It worked!! Thank you for sharkng

Is there an updated link to the installation instructions? Getting an error when going to the link.

Do you have the link to the document that you are viewing on the tablet?

Thanks heaps!! The link for the installation instructions expired, do you still have the link for that plsss🙂

disculpa me puedes decir cuál es la última versión que está actualizada para CarPlay antes de instalar el cable y si trabaja sólo con cable USB o wireless gracias o depende el módulo

Hi! Great video. I got a problem with my installation. My system keeps turning off and on almost every 15 minutes or so. I did go back and check all cables and they are well connected and not bent, and nothing is out of place. Thanks for any tip or help with this.

Great video! I think I can handle this. My only problem is I can’t seem to find the firmware update. I’ve seen a couple of links but they are no longer working. Any way you could guide me? Thanks!

Great video but way to complicated for me.what do you think dealer charge for the entire set up for my 2017 Mazda 3?

Thanks this is a great video

I think you should have disconnected your battery first. Anyways, extremely thorough video and I certainly appreciate it. I was really interested in doing this to my 3 hatch. However, seeing all the things you need to take apart, I think I may just use AA on my phone within my phone mount. I'd be afraid of breaking trim pieces and the inevitable rattling down the road.

Thanks for this tutorial! Anyway to share those instructions in PDF?

Fantastic video ….. Can u share the link of the installation manual you we’re referring to

Can you plz share the link of the installation manual you are referring to

I presume this same as 2018 mazda 3 hatchback,can this effect my warranty paid for 5 year unlimited extended plan.

Where can we buy these kits? Especially the carplay and Android auto part

My 19 cx5 does not have the android auto icon under applications, does this mean that it did not come with it and I need to do what's in this video to get android auto?

Awesome video and appreciate the step by step. Made the whole process easy as can be. Do you happen to know the override in order to make the touch screen work in motion with the new firmware? The screen works fine in park but using the toggle wheel while driving is annoying.

Wow this video is amazing, thank you so much for making it. Hoping to do it myself soon. Just wondering, what guide are you using on your ipad when you're doing the cable routing?

Where can I buy the hardware needed? am not in the US, any website?

:) wondering if the thumbs-down are aimed at this video or Mazda, can't say I'm looking forward to the installation dealer or self done, but not having android auto is my biggest frustration with this otherwise awesome car, why isn't Mazda covering the cost, especially for 2018s, a lot them are under a year old

Great write up and video! Thank you for all the links also. Does this allow the owner to screen mirror from the phone or tablet to the CX5's screen? I've seen mixed comments in regards to this via thr native AA/CP. TIA.

Is there anyway make it wireless Android auto in 2021 Mazda CX5 GS. Thanks

It's much easier if you drop the cable down from the head unit. I did that this morning, I have large hands too.

Hey man great video. Did you need an extension bar for the 10mm socket when you removed the CMU?

Anyone know if there is a way to just turn off the touch screen ability? My screen works great, but is ghosting now and I heard if you turn off the touchscreen this stops.

Would one of the adapters work on amazon

OMG, why would Mazda just not put a compatible USB hub into cars at the factory. They knew AA/CP would be coming eventually. Crazy!!

Does this work for Mazda cx 5 2015?

Thanks for your share, step by step,let me know how to setup this kit.

Does the update need to be done before the hardware is installed? I just installed this today for my wife and we cannot get anything to update for it to recognize the USB.

Hello all, I just bought a used 2018 CX5 GT, AA was already installed by previous owner. I notice something weird when playing audio when I connect to AA through USB cable. There is literally no Bass even at highest setting of 6 when I play audio through AA, however when I play the songs via Bluetooth by disconnecting the AA there is bass. Did anyone else notice similar issue?

Hi, does anyone know how to remove the tray at 2:35 to 2:38? I'm stuck and don't want to break anything. Thank you!

Thanks heaps mate 👌👌👌

What magnetic holder are you using? Looks like a great mount, and good positioning

is this the oem 2018 mazda6 car play kit you installed? as far as I kit's only available for the 2018 mazda6

Can you tell me the parts needed? I have 2017 CX5, how do I upgrade the firmware? Thanks for the awesome video, I want to try as well.