Kia Optima 2011–2015 Apple CarPlay Install: iDoing 9" Head Unit in About 10 Minutes
Pop the one-piece trim off a 2013 Optima, remove the vent and radio screws, unplug the factory unit and plug in an iDoing 9" Android head unit with GPS and wireless CarPlay.
Full video (10 min): Kia Optima 2011-2015 Apple CarPlay Install | iDoing Head Unit · John's YouTube channel
Get the parts
- Plastic trim removal tool: Generic pickGeneric pickSearch on Amazon ↗
- iDoing 9" Android 12 head unit, Kia K5 / Optima 2011–2015Buy direct ↗
- iDoing storeBuy ↗
- Same unit (AliExpress)Buy ↗
- eBay link from the descriptionBuy ↗
CodeiDoing coupon code (NGOOYEN) — NGOOYEN
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate links.
Yes — you can install iDoing on the iDoing 9" Android 12 head unit for Kia K5 / Optima 3 (TF) 2011–2015 with a 10 min DIY job. Pop the one-piece trim off a 2013 Optima, remove the vent and radio screws, unplug the factory unit and plug in an iDoing 9" Android head unit with GPS and wireless CarPlay.
Overview
A quick, straightforward install in a friend's 2013 Kia Optima. All you need are plastic trim tools and a Phillips screwdriver. The trim around the radio comes off in one piece (it's a little sticky), revealing the screws; a vent held by three screws comes out, then the factory unit pops out and unplugs, with nothing out of the ordinary behind it. The iDoing unit plugs straight in: power harness, the AM/FM antenna, and the GPS antenna, with extra plugs for a backup camera and USB if you want them. Their trim piece arrived slightly damaged; John says to contact the seller, whose customer service he rates highly. Then the phone connects through the CarLink app and Apple CarPlay comes up. In the description he says it makes the interior feel like a 2023 model.
Vehicle & fitment
- Product
- iDoing 9" Android 12 head unit for the Kia K5 / Optima 2011–2015 with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, GPS and Wi-Fi
- Shown on
- Kia Optima (K5) 2011–2015, shown on a friend's 2013
- iDoing 9" Android 12 head unit for Kia K5 / Optima 3 (TF) 2011–2015 (per the description)
Always confirm fitment for your exact year and trim with the seller before buying.
Tools & parts
Tools
- Plastic trim removal tools
- Phillips screwdriver
Parts
- iDoing head unit with harness
- GPS antenna
- Wi-Fi antenna
- Backup camera and USB leads (optional)
Step by step
- 1
Tools▶ 0:42
Plastic trim tools and a Phillips screwdriver are all you need.
- 2
Remove the plastic trim▶ 1:08
The trim is a little sticky but comes off in one piece, revealing the screws.
- 3
Remove the screws▶ 1:45
Take out the screws around the unit, including one at the bottom. Start at the top with the plastic trim tool so it pops off cleanly.
Warning: John's friend's trim was already cracked; go slowly on older plastic.
- 4
Remove the vent▶ 3:52
The vent is held in by three screws.
- 5
Pull and unplug the factory radio▶ 4:40
The whole unit pops out. Unplug everything; there aren't many wires and the plugs are nothing out of the ordinary.
- 6
Plug in the iDoing unit▶ 5:32
The harness plugs straight in. There are extra plugs for a backup camera and USB if you use them; they didn't have a camera on this car.
- 7
GPS and antenna▶ 6:35
Connect the GPS antenna (Wi-Fi too if you like) and the AM/FM antenna lead.
- 8
Check fitment▶ 8:20
Their trim arrived damaged, so the fit isn't perfect in the video.
Tip: If yours arrives damaged, contact the seller; John says their customer service is really good and they'll likely ship a replacement.
- 9
Connect CarPlay▶ 8:56
Turn the key, connect the iPhone, open the CarPlay link app (CarLink) and let it connect; Apple CarPlay comes up.
Wiring notes
- Plug-and-play harness to the factory connectors.
- AM/FM antenna lead, GPS antenna and optional Wi-Fi antenna.
- Optional backup camera and USB leads.
Get the parts
- Plastic trim removal tool: Generic pickGeneric pickSearch on Amazon ↗
- iDoing 9" Android 12 head unit, Kia K5 / Optima 2011–2015Buy direct ↗
- iDoing storeBuy ↗
- Same unit (AliExpress)Buy ↗
- eBay link from the descriptionBuy ↗
CodeiDoing coupon code (NGOOYEN) — NGOOYEN
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate links.
FAQ
What vehicle does this head unit fit?
It is shown for the iDoing 9" Android 12 head unit for Kia K5 / Optima 3 (TF) 2011–2015. Always confirm your exact year, trim and factory audio with the seller.
How long does the install take?
John's full video is 10 min. Plan on that much time for a careful DIY install, plus extra if you are new to dash work.
What tools do I need?
Tools called out in the guide: Plastic trim removal tools; Phillips screwdriver.
Does it support wireless CarPlay or Android Auto?
Yes — wireless CarPlay / Android Auto is listed for this unit in the product copy John used.
Where do I get the parts?
Use the buy links on this page for the unit and any harnesses John used. Some links are affiliate links.
Is this beginner-friendly?
The guide breaks the job into 9 steps with timestamps into the video. If you can remove trim panels carefully, you can follow along.
Full transcript
Show the full transcript (45 lines) +
0:00Oh, it's sticky, but I.
0:10I'm talking more about this one.
0:18So, you guys have it.
0:19That was the Kia install.
0:21All right, so we have a Kia Opt Optima this is a 2013 should be a very straight forward
0:41install.
0:42All you, you need is some prime tools which I do will.
0:44We'll provide the head unit, we'll provide and then a Phil of screwdriver which we also have here
0:50now here is the head unit unfortunately we did
1:08you can remove this plastic trim should be pretty easy, I do provide these tools so we're
1:16we're going to do that little sticky but it comes on one piece and that will reveal a bunch
1:30of
1:45screws and we all these screws right here and there's also a screw down on the bottom right here
1:55you might want to use the top part first using the plastic trim would be ideal so it pops off
3:15this trims off be careful this this trims already cracks and I want to be extra careful we're going to
3:52take this part out all right so the vent I just removed was held by three screws and
4:40whole thing pops out unplug
4:43unplug plug everything you see this thing's hot just unplug it there's not too many wires
5:23and the O and the OEM is off you can see right there these are the plugs nothing out of
5:29the ordinary so
5:32pretty amazing now we're gonna be plugging in the new head unit and it's only be like 10 minutes
5:38just pretty crazy to me so check this out iDoing has every all
6:02I'm extra plugs which like a backup
6:10camera so you. plug in this one over
6:14here but we don't have a backup camera but for my sake I am going the just demonstrated so you
6:24plug this in here and if you have a backup camera that's where you plug it in if you
6:30have a USB you plug in as well so
6:35we're not gonna mess with it but other than that that's pretty much it let's do the Wi-Fi and
6:41GPS cables which I'll show you right here so a lot of Wi-Fi stuff GPS and you're going to
7:13not going to do that we're just gonna do the GPS now when people say
7:30no plug it in should be good and that's all we really
7:41really need additional stuff for my for my purposes that's all we need
7:48so plug in these two wires this FM the FM AM antenna this we're not going to use anymore that
8:20keep that on for the owner to remove but you can see
8:23see fitment is okay a because it's actually broken.
8:29when we got it you can see it's kind of messed up right there but hey complain complain
8:35with the the seller and they probably ship you a new one their customer
8:40service is
8:42really good just for my time constraints and making a video with my friend
8:47he's this is only time you can do it and yeah I want to make
8:51make a video guys of just the interface and all that so we'll put the keys in
8:56so theera are you are connected using an iPhone
9:07and we're gonna basically go to our car play link which is car link
9:16for device to connect connecting.
9:23and now we should have Apple
Machine-transcribed from the full-length video and lightly cleaned (product names fixed). Watch the video for exact wording.
Next step
