[Pgreen]

Hi All. OK I went ahead this week (16.12.21) and paid £199 (BGP) to Storeline UK | Upgrades and firmware for you! for the Xanavi Carplay firmware/software for 2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna (UK RHD). This is Apple Carplay on an iphone13.

Just installed it, and IT WORKS... and has brought my Leaf into the 2020s.

Initial thought is that while £199 is a lot of money, it has radically changed the functionality of my Leaf ...adding steering wheel launch of Siri, and all Carplay functions. Some small losses like ability to adjust charger timings or play CDs.

I will post full detail shortly. And an update in a few weeks of any problems/ insights.

Phil


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View attachment 154228

UPDATE : BLUETOOTH CONNECTION TO CARPLAY UPGRADE

I bought a Carlinkit adapter like this CarlinKit New Wireless CarPlay 3.0 Mini Adapter for Factory Wired CarPlay Cars, New Red UI interface upgrade, Compatible with Audi/Porsche/Volvo/VW/Ford/Hyundai/Mercedes/KIA, Online Upgrade: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

On Amazon for £95.00 (GBP) ... so instead of plugging my iphone into the Leaf's USB to use my new Carplay set up, I plugged in the Carlinkit device. I now have bluetooth connection from the iphone in my pocket to the new Carplay set up... so full Siri handsfree etc without the need to physically plug the phone into the car !!

I'm 0nly on day two of this.. so will give a full update in a week.

Phil

 

[Pgreen]

UPDATE ON NISSAN LEAF 2016 CARPLAY SOFTWARE INSTALL 2021/2

I'm now one month on from installing the Carplay software upgrade from Xanavi. This is a summary of how it was done and my thoughts on the process. In the next post I will list the PROs and CONs. (These posts concern connecting your iphone by USB cable (which is how Xanavi is intended) - further down this thread I will write separate update on my experience of using this software alongside the Carlinkit bluetooth handsfree device).

CAR: UK registered RHD 2016 Nissan Leaf Teka 30kw with approx 35,000 on clock.
PHONE: Iphone 13 with IOS 15 (Xanavi says it also works for Android phones).
KIT: 1x Xanvi software (£199GBP on offer) at Storeline ( think they are only UK suppliers)
1x 32Gb SD card (which stays in the car afterwards)(approx £10).
1x USB to iphone cable (to connect your phone whenever you get in the car)
Computer with SD card reader & Internet connection (to download the software and write it to the SD card, and to get the install licence activated. You need this available and online midway through the install, so don't leave it at home and do the install in the car park at work!
SD card writing software (I used the one suggested in Storeline's instructions)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Amelia Connolly (who posts on this forum) is a sales advisor at Storeline and they have created a very helpful step by step install guide, here which I will not bother repeating in detail. I have attached a PDF version to this post. Storeline has live chat on its website and a phone line and email.... they were pretty quick at responding to queries and very helpful.

DIFFICULTY OF INSTALL:

Very simple if your are reasonably confident at computer tasks like copying files and downloading. There's NO physical install or alternations to the car, it's all done with a software update ("flash") following the instructions in Amelia's guide in the link above. You can run through them online first as a practice.

Things to watch out for are:

1- This works with most Leafs but make sure yours is compatible (install guide explains this).
2- It says you need a Windows PC to write the SD card. I used a Macbook and it was fine.
3- The software is downloaded free from one of a number of sites, and then activated after install when you have paid for the licence. The software is about 20Gb, so download time will depend on your internet connection. My understanding is you need a 32Gb SD card as the "flash"process copies a back up of your original Nissan software to the SD card in case you want to revert to the original. But I have not tested this.

Download sites (check with the guide as these may change):

Europe: 8EU_20210929.img
Oceania: File on MEGA
North America: 20 GB file on MEGA

If you want the Auto OK function of the SD you can add the file to the root folder from here: auto_ok

IF you are paranoid about downloading files from the internet ... then you might have to run some virus software etc. I downloaded the file onto my Mac and then put it onto the SD card and have had no problems/trojans (yet!!).

4- The software for writing the SD card is here:
Windows here: https://hddguru.com/software/HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool/HDDRawCopy1.10Setup.exe
Mac it's: Etcher -

There is a video guide on how to write the data to the SD card:

5- There is a very clear video guide by Amelia here on how to install the upgrade.
When you insert the SD card into your car, it starts the upgrade. This took about 15 minutes for me, with a couple of restarts. Annoyingly the car power cut off (went to sleep) part way through first time and I had to start again. I'd suggest turning the car on with your foot on the brake pedal (rather than just hitting the ON button twice) and that should prevent it going to sleep mid way through.

6- Once you insert the SD card with the new software into your car, the head unit will not operate UNTIL you get the new software activated. So it is worth contacting Storeline and planning how and when you are planning the install. That way you can pay for the licence, and know they are on standby to activate it. The way you activate it is to put the SD card into your car (switched on) and it will automatically let it "flash" the car's software - then you have to remove the SD card, and put it back into your Computer's card reader, and email Storeline a copy of the .DAT file (which the install will have created on your SD card). Storeline will then send you a .KEY file which you copy onto the SD card, which you reinsert into the the car, and that activates the software.

I did the software install late at night UK time, and sent off the .DAT file, and got the .KEY file back the next morning. I'm sure if you liaise with them, they can turn it round reasonably quickly. But to be on the safe side allow a few hours.

7- The whole process takes about 30 minutes PLUS time waiting for Storeline to send you the .KEY file.

8- Keep your original Nissan SD card safe just in case.

9- I understand there is a way to revert back to the original Nissan software using the new SD card /old SD card, but I have not tried this.

10- Once installed, Carplay will start automatically when phone connected to USB and car power is on. You can use MOST (see pros and cons below) functions of the original Nissan system, including radio, maps etc

11- If you leave Carplay (eg: by pressing radio button) you can return to us by going to APPS menu on touchscreen and navigating to Carplay)

12- When you first plug in your phone you will need to allow various permissions, which will allow Carplay to work even when your phone screen goes to sleep/is locked.

That's it! PROs and CONs to follow below.

Phil

 

[Pgreen]

PROs and CONs of NISSAN LEAF 2016 CARPLAY SOFTWARE INSTALL 2021/2

Hi - these are my thoughts on the pros and cons of this install.(see my previous post for install details/comments)

PROs:
If you are OK to plug your phone into the USB every time you get in, you now have:

• auto accept of Nissan T&Cs at startup
• Full Apple Carplay functions including using Siri functions by pressing steering wheel SPEAK button (find locations and start navigation, dial numbers, send texts, select music all by voice control)
• Updated Nissan maps.
• Software appears stable. I've never had issues with it not working.

CONs/Glitches

• Nissan charging timer can no longer be accessed. If your car (like mine) already had timers set, as soon as you over ride these, you cannot reset them. I use night time cheap rate electricity, so used timer a lot - now I have installed a simple clock timer on my power point. Xanavi/Storeline say purchaser is eligible for lifetime upgrades...but personally I doubt this will happen.
• CD player stops working. I haven't used a CD player for years. And now you can use Spotify or Amazon Music etc, and play music from your phone instead.
• The auto accept takes about 10 seconds from power on. If you select Reverse BEFORE the auto accept happens, you get a glitch on the reversing camera screen which obscures it. The work around is to manually tap ACCEPT beofre you put the car into reverse.

SUMMARY
I love this upgrade. It's not cheap (I paid sale price of £199GBP) but that's no more than an after market Carplay enabled stereo (you can't get one to fit the Leaf).
It brings the older model Leaf into the 2020s and offers superb functionality, and so far seems reliable.

 

[Pgreen]

HANDS FREE BLUETOOTH UPGRADE FOR NISSAN LEAF 2016 CARPLAY SOFTWARE INSTALL 2021/2

This is part three of my Nissan Leaf Carplay upgrade... see above for the install. This post is about using a bluetooth adapter alongside the Xanavi software. Storeline (who sell Xanavi) are a little cautious about this, and say "As far as I am aware, Carlink adaptors should work.. but the connection won't be as strong and reliable as a wired one."

So here goes:

KIT: Carlinkit 3.0 mini bluetooth adapter

My new wired Carplay upgrade (see earlier in this thread for details) is working fine, but I'd love it to be handsfree/bluetooth, so I don't have to plug the phone into the USB cable every time I get in and out of the car.

I paid £95GBP on 30.12.21 for this CARLINKIT 3.0 mini bluetooth adapter. Carlinkit appear to be US based, and frankly their online help people were not much use. They did respond to my email, but offered no advice on this install, compatibility or UK based reliable resellers. So I bought it on Amazon.

It comes with instructions and a USB cable. You basically plug it into the USB port and it powers up. The get your phone and pair the two up.

PROs
Jump in the car and 1-2 minutes later you have bluetooth Carplay.
When the Bluetooth connects OK, then it seems to have full functionality with the Xanavi Carplay software.


CONs
Sometimes (maybe one in ten times) I get an error on screen "hardware error : BT" and the Carlinkit /Carplay does not operate. You can still use the standard Leaf maps, radio etc but the Carplay function does not work and on the Nissan menu, it shows shows no connection to Carplay device/phone. The only way to change this is to unplug the Carlinkit from the USB (to cut the power to it), wait a few seconds and plug it in again, and even power down the car, and hope it will work this time. This is of course annoying and if you have this hassle you might as well just plug the phone into the USB.

SO.. jury is out !!

I'm in the process of trying to work out what's happening. I wonder if the USB does not have enough power for the Carlinkit.

• Perhaps it needs a splitter to allow it to take power from the other USB port as well??
• Maybe another bluetooth adapter would work better (though Carlinkit gets the best reviews)

ANY THOUGHTS PLEASE???

Phil

 

[Biohead]

1- This works with most Leafs but make sure yours is compatible (install guide explains this).

I would say this isn't for most Leafs, just a limited subset - 2016/2017 models only. If you've got a 2011/2012/2013/2014/2015/early 2016 this won't work (I'm still working the retrofit, but need another suitable headunit for continued testing if anyone can help?).

CONs/Glitches
Nissan charging timer can no longer be accessed. If your car (like mine) already had timers set, as soon as you over ride these, you cannot reset them. I use night time cheap rate electricity, so used timer a lot - now I have installed a simple clock timer on my power point. Xanavi/Storeline say purchaser is eligible for lifetime upgrades...but personally I doubt this will happen.

In terms of updates, they have released quite a few in the past for the Leaf - so they're standing by their word. I suspect updates are focussed only on map updates now though and not adding new features.
From a retrofit perspective, I'm finding the times set on the old headunit remain in the system. The override button works as before, and after 15 minutes goes back to the previous timers set. This may be different behaviour for those not doing a retrofit.

From an Android users perspective, all is well here too. Works really well with the voice command button and OK Google. Wireless AA dongles are only just starting to appear (look at the Motorola MA1) - so not yet able to test them.

I'm in the process of trying to work out what's happening. I wonder if the USB does not have enough power for the Carlinkit.

Yes - the headunit cannot provide much power over the USB port. If I connect up and use AA, I find the power is just enough to keep the battery at the same level. It won't charge my device at all (I suspect 500mA is the limit). So I guess it depends on how power hungry the Carlink adaptors are. May need to draw some power from elsewhere if that is the case.

 

[DBMandrake]

Yes - the headunit cannot provide much power over the USB port. If I connect up and use AA, I find the power is just enough to keep the battery at the same level. It won't charge my device at all (I suspect 500mA is the limit). So I guess it depends on how power hungry the Carlink adaptors are. May need to draw some power from elsewhere if that is the case.

The USB socket going to the radio is indeed limited to a fairly low power. I don't know what it is for sure but I suspect it's only standard 500mA USB2, which by todays standards is low. It charges my phone very, very slowly compared to the 2 amp double USB charger I have in the cigarette lighter socket.

On a 45 minute commute I only gain about 20% charge if I'm not using GPS and if I'm using GPS on the phone it just holds it at around the same charge.

 

[Magooligum]

I am based in Sydney Australia and have purchase the software upgrade from Xanavi for my Nissan LEAF 2016 grey imported from Japan and purchased from Japan Auto Trading (https://www.japanauto.com.au/) in Strathfield, Sydney.

The software was expensive particularly considering the exchange rate from UK Pounds to AUD but improvement to the functionality of the head unit and incredible support I received from Amelia and the developer make it very much worth the cost.

The unit now speaks in english in place of Japanese, the navigation and interface have been updated and now covers Sydney instead of Tokyo as was the case when I bought the car.

I've had no problems so far and highly recommend the upgrade.

 

[Daniel.karlsen]

Hi,

I am new here, and just came over this thread.

I am considering buying this to get Android Auto in my 30kwh 2016, Nordic/Tekna. Usually I just use the app to start climate control, so to not have the ability to use the timer doesnt really bother me.

Does anyone have pictures of what the Android Auto version looks like? Is the sound quality the same using AA and Bluetooth? Anyone that is not really happy with the update?

I have an Huawei P30 Pro, has anyone tried with this Phone or similar?

I also dont know if its best buying from storeline or directly from xanavi. Sorry for several questions, but i think this looks really interesting, and i dont want to buy if its not any good for me...

 

[Biohead]

Does anyone have pictures of what the Android Auto version looks like? Is the sound quality the same using AA and Bluetooth? Anyone that is not really happy with the update?

So, the beauty of Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) is that the software is run by the phone. There is no versioning on the headunit - it all depends on the version on your phone.
Sound quality is the same to me either via AA, BT, Radio - but I'm not an audiophile.

I have an Huawei P30 Pro, has anyone tried with this Phone or similar?

Used with a few phones here - Redmi Note 10, Pixel 5, Moto One - all without an issue. My only issue was down to a specific usb cable - replaced with a better quality one and all is well.

I also dont know if its best buying from storeline or directly from xanavi. Sorry for several questions, but i think this looks really interesting, and i dont want to buy if its not any good for me...

I bought direct but I had a few tech queries too which is why I went that way. Had no issues, and I'm happy with it.

 

[Bonj_t]

Biohead, does it change the splash screen? What is the link for Xanavi direct?

 

[Biohead]

Biohead, does it change the splash screen? What is the link for Xanavi direct?

It does change the splash screen, but only to the newer, refreshed Nissan Connect logo. They also offer a custom splash screen but I think that's at extra cost.
You can find them on Facebook (xanavi.net) or Instagram (xanavi_eng) and all their contact details are on there. I used WhatsApp personally.

 

[tadekk]

So, I took the plunge after getting my wiring sorted... and it works (well almost).
Full write up to follow, as it's only installed temporarily - but I've converted from the older series 7 headunit to the series 8 one AND installed the carplay firmware.
The only thing outstanding is for me to connect the TCU to the headunit - which I can't find the exact connector for, so I'm trying to come up with the next best resilient solution.

Now... my series 8 headunit is from a Tekna, and I have an Acenta. So there ARE some issues directly because of this:
1) Reverse camera doesn't work (Tekna has a camera module, Acenta directly to Nav unit)
2) Poor sound output (Acenta has no amp, Tekna does)

So - if anyone is looking to do this to their pre2016 Tekna I am open to selling this unit so that I can source the right one for an Acenta. The carplay firmware is locked to the unit, so it means I can't swap it to the new one.

I want to do the same but not sure about wiring changes required - did you need any new plugs or simply re-pinning existing ones? Have you done a write-up yet? Xanavi would sell me an adapter harness for £200 (!) but I can't imagine this is good value, and I am not afraid to DIY it. Thanks!

 

[Biohead]

It's a couple of new plugs, not a simple repin unfortunately - they're pretty hard to get in singles, so you could spend the best part of £50 alone on the cables/adaptors if you want to do it properly.
That said, I'm not able to use remote charge/climate at the minute. I could swear in testing it worked, but maybe I was mistaken

I have one complete set, including the firmware, cables and headunit now that my testing is done - suitable for BOSE cars (Tekna spec, or with an aftermarket amp) if there's any interest. Once I've managed to move that and recoup some costs I'll finish the write up.

 

[tadekk]

It's a couple of new plugs, not a simple repin unfortunately - they're pretty hard to get in singles, so you could spend the best part of £50 alone on the cables/adaptors if you want to do it properly.
That said, I'm not able to use remote charge/climate at the minute. I could swear in testing it worked, but maybe I was mistaken

I have an Acenta as well otherwise I’d be taking the whole setup of you right now. Having said that, I can live with no ability to change charge timers, remote heating (via an app) is something I am really looking forward to. Could it be because of newer telematics? Does any data get uploaded to Nissan servers?

 

[Hermit Dave]

I have an Acenta as well otherwise I’d be taking the whole setup of you right now. Having said that, I can live with no ability to change charge timers, remote heating (via an app) is something I am really looking forward to. Could it be because of newer telematics? Does any data get uploaded to Nissan servers?

Nissan app and combinations are done by Telecomms module which is separate to head unit.
I upgraded 15 months ago and both CarPlay and Nissan app work (when Nissan servers are working - they don’t every few months)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[explorer]

Hi all,
I am new in Nissan Leaf community, my first EV and first Nissan . I am author of some hw/sw mods and retrofits for VAG. Now I am looking for possibility to add CarPlay to my leaf with working timers. I would like to ask If someone can share fw files --- stock firmware for leaf 1 headunit and with carplay (leaf 2 modified). Each headunit have some vendor ids. Probably Xanavi have modified only compatible units in fw update to accept update by leaf 1 unit. Firmware files are signed or no?

 

[dragon2611]

CONs
Sometimes (maybe one in ten times) I get an error on screen "hardware error : BT" and the Carlinkit /Carplay does not operate. You can still use the standard Leaf maps, radio etc but the Carplay function does not work and on the Nissan menu, it shows shows no connection to Carplay device/phone. The only way to change this is to unplug the Carlinkit from the USB (to cut the power to it), wait a few seconds and plug it in again, and even power down the car, and hope it will work this time. This is of course annoying and if you have this hassle you might as well just plug the phone into the USB.

SO.. jury is out !!

I'm in the process of trying to work out what's happening. I wonder if the USB does not have enough power for the Carlinkit.

• Perhaps it needs a splitter to allow it to take power from the other USB port as well??
• Maybe another bluetooth adapter would work better (though Carlinkit gets the best reviews)

ANY THOUGHTS PLEASE???

Phil

I have that dongle and use it with an Ioniq

try http://192.168.50.2 or http://192.168.52.2 (I don't remember exactly, it's .2 on whatever ip range the wi-fi gets when connected to the dongle.)

You should get a web page where you can update the dongles firmware and change the autostart delay and a couple other settings.

Also hows the Xanavi software going now you've had longer to use it?

 

[explorer]

I made some analysis. Xanavi is patching file system by navigation update. There is folder UPDATE with file UPDATE.dat. This file is probably very old DB with encrypted data/files. Update is normaly used to update version of navigation app.

 

[dragon2611]

I'm not aware of anyone else offering a solution that doesn't involve replacing the headunit (which I'd imagine is difficult on the leaf due to the integration with the climate control.etc).

I'm not sure if I want to do it or not yet, I have carplay on the Ioniq and I think i'd miss it, but I suppose I could just mount the phone on a vent or some such, it's mostly navigation I use carplay for.

 

[explorer]

After analysing update.dat probably I am able to extract update files , send more info soon. Goal is made my own custom firmware with android auto functionality.