She loved her Mini. She just needed Apple CarPlay. Of course, a brand-new Mini comes with CarPlay. However, changing the car she loves just to get it made no sense. So she brought it to our Cardiff workshop for a Mini CarPlay upgrade instead.
We added Apple CarPlay to the screen her Mini already had. As a result, in Waz’s words, her Mini is now as good as a 2026 car for tech. And it didn’t cost anything like a new car.
She wasn’t the only one, either. In fact, three Minis came in for CarPlay in October. By the third, Waz was calling it Mini week.
Watch the Mini CarPlay Upgrade Film
First, here are all three Minis in one minute, from the factory menus to CarPlay and the reversing camera.
Three Minis, one month, one minute.
How a Mini CarPlay Upgrade Works with the Factory Screen
In short, we don’t replace the screen. Instead, a CarPlay interface links your iPhone to the Mini’s own display. So your phone, maps, music and messages show on the screen that was already there.
Then, when you want the car’s own menus, they are still there too. That means you get the new tech without losing the old features.
What CarPlay Adds to Your Mini
Once it is fitted, your iPhone connects and the familiar CarPlay home screen appears. From there, you can use Apple Maps or Google Maps for directions. Also, you can play Spotify, Apple Music or podcasts, and make calls without picking up your phone.
On top of that, Siri can read out your messages and reply for you. So your eyes stay on the road while the phone stays in your pocket or on the charger. For many owners, that is the main reason they want CarPlay in the first place.
Why Keep the Original Screen?
After all, the round centre display is the heart of a Mini’s dashboard. So swapping it for a generic screen would change the look of the whole cabin. On top of that, the light ring around the screen still glows the way it did before.
That’s why all three owners wanted CarPlay on the screen they already had. In other words, it should look like the Mini came that way.
Mini 1: CarPlay and a Reversing Camera
This Mini was the third CarPlay job in a single week. On top of CarPlay, it also has a rear camera. Now that camera shows on the original display as well.
Reversing Camera, Same Screen
Rear cameraSo when this Mini goes into reverse, the camera view appears on the original screen. Also, the guidelines help judge the gap behind.
That matters, because a CarPlay upgrade should add features, never take them away. See more on our reversing cameras page.
Mini 2: A CarPlay Upgrade, Before and After
Next, a grey Mini came in for the same job. As Waz put it on Facebook, another Mini in for Apple CarPlay. Here is the screen before and after.
BeforeFirst, the factory menu. It does the basics, but it can’t run the apps on your phone.
Then, after the upgrade, the same screen runs Apple CarPlay. So calls, messages, maps and music are all one tap away.
Mini 3: The Mini She Loves
Finally, here is the owner from the start of this story. She loved her Mini but needed CarPlay. So we gave her the tech of a new car in the car she already loves.
Why Choose a Specialist for Your Mini CarPlay Upgrade?
Of course, plug-in CarPlay boxes are easy to buy online. However, the hard part is making them work properly with the car. For example, the original screen, the car’s own menus and any reversing camera all need to keep working.
So every Mini we upgrade is fitted in our workshop, never on a driveway. Then we test every function with the owner before the car leaves. Find out more about Apple CarPlay installation in Cardiff, or browse all our multimedia upgrades. You can also read about Apple CarPlay on Apple’s own site.
These aren’t our first Minis, either. For example, we fitted CarPlay and a rear camera to a BMW Mini back in 2022.
As Seen on Our Facebook
Waz shared all three Minis on Facebook as they went out of the door. Here they are, in the same order as the film.
Mini CarPlay Upgrade in Cardiff and South Wales
Our workshop is at Unit C1, West Point Industrial Estate, Penarth Road, Cardiff CF11 8JQ. Also, Mini owners come to us from Penarth, Barry, Newport, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Pontypridd and the Vale of Glamorgan. In short, if you love your Mini but miss CarPlay, we can help.
Mini CarPlay Upgrade: Your Questions Answered
Can you add Apple CarPlay to a Mini with the original screen?
Yes. In October we added Apple CarPlay to three Minis, all on the original round screen. It depends on the screen and system your Mini has, so send us your registration and we will check it before you book.
Do I lose my Mini’s original screen or menus?
No. CarPlay shows on the Mini’s own screen, so the dash looks the same. The car’s own menus are still there when you want them.
Can a reversing camera show on the Mini’s factory screen?
Yes. On one of these three Minis, the reversing camera now shows on the original display, with guidelines. Ask us about your car when you book.
Is a Mini CarPlay upgrade cheaper than buying a new Mini?
Yes, by a long way. One owner loved her Mini but needed CarPlay. Instead of changing cars, she had CarPlay added to the screen she already had.
How do I book a Mini CarPlay upgrade?
Call us on 029 2070 7275, message us on WhatsApp, or send your car details through our quote form. We will tell you what your Mini can take.
In short, you don’t have to change cars to get CarPlay. So if your Mini feels behind on tech, a Mini CarPlay upgrade puts it right. Give us a ring.
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