A community developer has released DiPlay, an app that runs wired and wireless Apple CarPlay on compatible Android car head units, which are the screens built into the car. Version 0.2.8 is a public preview, and it installs on the Android screen. Nothing gets installed on the iPhone.
The DiPlay project page describes the app as an independent build based on xcertplay, with an interface design taken from DiAuto. It needs no jailbreak, dongle, account or authentication server. The developer also states that DiPlay is not affiliated with Apple or BYD, and that CarPlay and its icon belong to Apple Inc.
The developer says the project focuses on BYD cars. Other brands may work, but they are unsupported, with no plans to add support or fix brand-specific incompatibilities. Compatibility also depends on the head unit, its firmware and the iOS version on the iPhone.
The project documents only head units, but a post on Threads shows it running on what appears to be an Android phone connected to an iPhone by USB. A commenter on that post says wireless works as well. That use is unofficial and untested by the developer.
View on Threads
Setup Runs Through the Car’s Hotspot or a USB Data Cable
Wireless connections use the car’s built-in hotspot or Wi-Fi Direct on Android 10 or later. The developer recommends a 5 GHz hotspot if the car offers one. In the app, you open Settings, go to Connection setup, pick Built-in car hotspot and save the hotspot’s exact name and password.
The iPhone needs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and paired with the car. Tapping Connect phone starts the session, and the iPhone prompts need to be accepted. DiPlay asks for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or location, and microphone permissions on first launch.
Wired use works with a USB data cable and the Connect with USB option. The iPhone may ask for USB, Trust or local VPN approval. Charge-only ports and cables cannot carry the connection.
ADB is not required for everyday use, and APK installation depends on what the car’s firmware allows. Installing over the previous public release keeps your settings, because the signing key has not changed.
Version 0.2.8 Adds Location Handoff, iOS 27 Video and Steering Wheel Controls
The release notes for 0.2.8 cover a long list of changes, and these are the ones most likely to matter on the road:
- Location reporting now continues across the wireless handoff from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi, with at most one update per second over wireless and USB.
- Steering-wheel media controls and long-press Siri work on supported BYD firmware while CarPlay is on screen.
- Dashboard display choices include the map, a turn card, or both.
- Optional ADB wheel-speed and gear reporting helps iPhone navigation estimate movement when GPS is unavailable. Tunnel use has not been verified.
- Optional ADB battery reporting for Apple Maps adds a warning threshold and a charging-connector selection.
- The app interface is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Spanish.
Video playback, one of the new CarPlay features in iOS 27, is also supported onthe screen while parked, and it closes when the car leaves P. DRM-protected video such as Apple TV+ is not supported, because DiPlay is not a licensed FairPlay receiver.
The developer is upfront about the limits of a public preview. DiPlay is not an Apple-certified product, and its authentication uses an experimental accessory identity recovered from public firmware, so future acceptance is not guaranteed. Some head units still show stuttering or ignore icon-size changes. The recommended starting point is 30 fps with HEVC off, and a lower resolution if the head unit struggles.
The DiPlay 0.2.8 APK is available on the project’s GitHub release page, with checksums and full release notes, and the developer posts new builds to a Telegram channel.
