Apple CarPlay upgrade complete for Polestar and Volvo in Australia

UPDATE: Polestar CarPlay rollout is complete

The over-the-air update bringing Apple CarPlay to Polestar models in Australia is finally complete, with the brand's local spokesperson confirming on Friday the all owners now have version 'P2.2' of its Android Automotive operating system.

As noted below, the update adds wired (not wireless) Apple CarPlay for the Polestar 2 in Australia.

Android Auto is not offered, because the Google-based infotainment system offers the same features in a more specifically integrated interface.

July 28: Apple CarPlay over-the-air update rolling out for Australian owners

Volvo Car Australia has confirmed the local roll-out of its latest over-the-air software update for vehicles running the Google-built Android Automotive operating system.

As announced in June, the version 2.2 update – available to owners of the 2021/22 XC40 Recharge electric small SUV and 2022 XC60 medium SUV – revives Apple CarPlay compatibility for the vehicles.

A spokesperson for the brand told Wheels all model-year 2023 vehicles arriving from August will include the update as standard, including the updated S60, V60 Cross Country, XC90 and the facelifted, non-electric XC40.

Polestar has not officially confirmed the local availability of the remote software upgrade, but it is likely rolling out now for the Polestar 2 electric sedan.

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What about Android Auto?

Of note, only wired Apple CarPlay is offered, while there is no Android Auto due to the Google software base, effectively making the need for smartphone mirroring redundant for these users.

Our earlier story continues below.

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UPDATE: Polestar 2 announces CarPlay availability for overseas markets

For those Polestar- and Volvo-driving iPhone users keeping a close eye on developments in this story, Polestar has this week announced Carplay availability for overseas markets – although Australian timing for Polestar and Volvo is still to be confirmed.

That's one step closer, at least.

A Polestar spokesperson told Wheels there was currently no news to be had on timing for 'OTA 2.2' (over-the-air update version 2.2). A Volvo spokesperson said their version was understood to still be "a couple of weeks" away from a global rollout, with the local update potentially coming some weeks after that.

We'll update here when we know more.

The story to here: Polestar and Volvo confirm Carplay is coming

June 8

Volvo and Polestar models running the Google-built Android Automotive infotainment system will at last gain connectivity for Apple CarPlay, the stablemate brands have confirmed this week.

The news comes hot on the heels of a huge CarPlay announcement at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week, where the tech giant revealed an upgrade which will – where allowed by car makers – ’take over’ a vehicle’s entire infotainment interface (as shown below).

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Above: the new upcoming version of Carplay due in late 2023

Up to now, however, the use of Google’s Android Automotive as the base infotainment operating system in Polestar and new Volvo models has left iPhone users unable to run even the current, simpler version of CarPlay.

Thanks to an ‘over the air’ update due for Australian Polestar models at the end of June, Android Automotive will enable CarPlay, finally allowing iPhones to run on the centre display as intended.

Timing for Volvo models is less specific, with the brand’s local arm confirming only that it will land “in the next few weeks”.

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Android Automotive running in the Polestar 2

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Apple CarPlay running in a similar portrait orientation, in the Ford Mustang Mach-E (posted to Reddit by user Seaniau)

It's unclear at this point if CarPlay connectivity will be wired or wireless, but the latter would seem likely.

Polestar and Volvo have also confirmed the upgraded “next generation” of Apple CarPlay will be offered, although, as Apple confirmed yesterday, that update is not scheduled to hit iPhones until the end of 2023.

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