Jeep UConnect 8.4" – Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Integration (Latest Update)

We’ve been offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration for UConnect 8.4" infotainment systems, commonly found in the following vehicles:

• Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee (2013+)

• Chrysler 300C 2nd Gen (2011+)

• Dodge Journey / Charger

• Fiat Freemont

• Maserati Ghibli / GranTurismo / Levante / Quattroporte (2018+)

As with all our products, this integration does not alter or remove any factory features, it’s designed to work seamlessly with your original UConnect system.

We’ve been offering this solution since 2017, and many of you may have already seen our product or installation videos over the years. The system has undergone multiple updates to keep up with the latest iOS versions and to enhance the hardware’s overall performance and stability.

While newer models now come factory-equipped with full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, many previous-generation models were left unsupported due to hardware limitations.

Our integration bridges that gap, supporting almost every UConnect 8.4" system from 2013 to current models. For newer vehicles already equipped with factory smartphone integration, our focus instead shifts toward towing camera and parking assist upgrades.

True Integration with Factory Display & Audio System

Our system provides complete integration into the original touchscreen and sound system, maintaining the OEM interface and functionality.

However, there are a few minor differences compared to the factory-installed CarPlay and Android Auto, which we’ll outline below, ensuring transparency and helping customers understand exactly how our retrofit works

Important Notes on System Operation

1. Audio Output via AUX Source

The sound from our CarPlay and Android Auto integration system is played through the external media source (AUX).

Since these integration products are aftermarket systems, they cannot access the factory audio pathway like native features (radio, Bluetooth, or USB media) controlled directly by the UConnect head unit.

Therefore, the system uses the vehicle’s AUX input to route sound from CarPlay or Android Auto through the original speakers.

This setup is mandatory because factory systems manage audio sources internally — deciding which sound to prioritize and when to mute or resume playback. In contrast, our integration operates via a standalone external module that functions outside the UConnect head unit, providing full CarPlay and Android Auto functionality while preserving the factory setup.

2. Bluetooth Functionality Recommendation

We currently recommend avoiding the use of the factory Bluetooth when operating in CarPlay mode.

This issue stems from iOS 13.1 and later, where Apple made changes to how CarPlay handles Bluetooth audio and call routing. In these versions, CarPlay attempts to take over the phone call process but fails to properly utilize the vehicle’s factory Bluetooth microphone and audio channels.

Normally, CarPlay and Bluetooth are independent systems that communicate when needed for example, Bluetooth activates for calls to handle the microphone and speakers while CarPlay manages the interface.

However, since iOS 13, this behavior changed, resulting in calls being executed through CarPlay itself without properly using the vehicle’s Bluetooth microphone.

It’s worth noting that this issue does not occur in factory-fitted CarPlay systems, as they have deeper control integration through the head unit.

We’ve been actively testing solutions and developing workarounds to improve call handling and restore full functionality between CarPlay and Bluetooth systems for affected iOS versions

The solution we’ve developed is to avoid using the UConnect Bluetooth entirely while operating in CarPlay or Android Auto mode.

The hardware unit we install includes its own dedicated microphone, fully supporting voice commands, phone calls, and call-answer functions within CarPlay and Android Auto.

This means we fit an external microphone specifically for these modes, ensuring clear communication and proper voice control performance.

When you switch back to the factory UConnect 8.4 system, you can simply reconnect your phone to the original Bluetooth as usual maintaining both systems independently for the best possible experience in each mode

With this setup, since the factory Bluetooth isn’t used during CarPlay or Android Auto operation, the steering wheel phone buttons typically won’t function because the Bluetooth connection is inactive.

To overcome this, we’ve developed an additional hardware module that retains and integrates these functions directly into CarPlay and Android Auto.

This allows you to use all the green-marked steering wheel buttons —

• Call

• Hang Up

• Voice Command (Siri / Google Assistant)

All working seamlessly without Bluetooth pairing or any modification to the existing UConnect system.

Here’s a short video demonstration showing how it operates within Apple CarPlay

Our Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Integration for Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee is available at the link below:

👉 UConnect Smartphone Integration – Naviplus Australia

Experience full CarPlay and Android Auto functionality on your factory UConnect 8.4" display seamlessly integrated without altering your original system

Get in Touch: 📞 03 9546 0452 ✉️ sales@naviplus.com.au 🌐 www.naviplus.com.au