For anyone installing the kit by themselves, I came up with a way to save a TON of time. This is NOT a complete HOW-TO video, but instead just a tip/hack to get the job done faster. You should already have the knowledge on how to do this install before watching this video. And most importantly…
*** The New Firmware MUST be installed first, do NOT attempt this if you haven’t installed the new software update ***
This was on a 2017 Mazda 3, I also did this on a 2016.5 CX-5. Both are working perfectly.
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what type of drill did you use ?
2014 is in the glove box 🙁 Will be one of the oldest cars on the road with stock Apple CarPlay.
Worked on my 2018 Mazda 3 Touring. No disc player in 2018 models so the USB ports are always in the front. I only had to remove the glove box, the vent trim, and the screen had to be slid out slightly, but I only unplugged the old cable from the head unit. I ran the new cables onto the glove box area, behind a piece of metal there to keep it high and tight and went right up into the radio area. I coiled and dressed out all of the slack behind the HVAC controller. Total job…30 minutes including taking it apart, putting it together, dressing the cables out, testing Android Auto, and attaching the foam tape down the whole cable (except the coil I made). Your hack was super easy except that one needs a smallish drill (ideally a Milwaukee 12v) and my 6-speed shifter was a little in the way even in 6th gear.
can be used on mazda 2???
Thanks! Installed mine today and used your trick; worked great
Would this work in a 2017 mazda 6 gt?
Got it done today in my 2017 Mazda 3. I struggled getting the hub out but realized after I didn't drill deep enough. I had to get creative but eventually pried it out. Thanks for taking the time to make this video it saved me a lot of headaches.
Excellent vid. Balked at doing this when I saw the other guys' videos, but this is massively more simple. I'm familiar with those types of tabs so this is brilliantly logical. Well done and thank you.
Interesting shortcut. I’m going to attempt this on a Miata after having watched your vid. Do you foresee any issues? The less trim I have to take apart the better I think.
Saw another brutal force hack, probably inspired by this video: https://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2427799-post2186.html
Hello, I have ‘17 Mazda 3 and just order the kit for Apple CarPlay. Thanks for the helpful tip to make this whole process way easier. I just have one question, where did you download the new firmware from? Do you have a link? Thanks again!
Thank you – Very Much…saved me a huge head ache…worked wonderfully on my 2015 Mazda 3
I did my retrofit today and the drill I have is too bulky to do a clean drilling using your method. So I came up with another method. From the footwells, with the trim panels removed, I took a very long, thin flat screwdriver and snapped the tabs off. I was able to do 3 tabs from the passenger footwell and the bottom left tab from the driver's footwell. It was a pain but it can be done. Then the USB hub popped right out. I would have never thought to snap the tabs off without your post so thanks! Hope this helps someone with their retrofit.
You're a genius! Thanks for sharing this with everyone! Did you update the firmware yourself? And to clarify, I guess the firmware has to be updated first, before you install the kit?
Worked perfectly for me in my 2016 CX-5. You're a lifesaver!
Now where did the plastic bits go? Are they rattling in the car because of this?