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Honda/Acura Upgrade Kit Audio Setup

This is a very important article that will show you how to properly setup your phone’s audio and pair wireless CarPlay.

Read this article closely before using the Hamilton Upgrade Kit for Acura. This video will overview all the steps we outline below and applies to all Honda and Acura
models.

 
With the Hamilton Upgrade Kits for Acura/Honda, you will be using your original Bluetooth to play audio. The wireless connection generated by the Hamilton Upgrade Kit will transmit the visual data required for CarPlay.
 

Before setting up wireless CarPlay, your phone must first be paired to the vehicle's original Bluetooth system.

  1. Long holding the back button on your center panel of the voice speech button on your steering wheel for three seconds will switch between the original car’s software and the Hamilton Upgrade Kit software.
  2. Start on the original factory OS. Select the “Settings” button on your center panel. Then using the wheel, select “Audio Settings.” Finally, using the wheel select “Bluetooth Device list.” Now select “Add a Bluetooth device.”
  3. The car will prompt you to make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is on. From your phone, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Keep your phone open to the Bluetooth menu but do not touch anything yet. On the car, select “Ok.”
  4. When the car finds the iPhone, using the wheel select “Enter” on the car. After about 15 seconds, select “Pair” and “Allow to Contacts and Favorites” from your iPhone.
  5. The menus will expand on your phone once it successful pairs
  6. Key point: Back on your Acura settings.
 

To Configure Device for CarPlay

  1. Long hold the back button or voice speech button to return to the Hamilton OS.
  2. Select the “Settings” app > Enter the “System” menu > Make sure “Use Car’s BT Channel” is turned On.
 

To Setup CarPlay

  1. Pull out your iPhone and open “Settings” on your phone > Then select “Bluetooth.” Quickly turn Bluetooth “Off” and then “On.” Scroll to bottom of phone Bluetooth device list and locate a device starting with “Hamilton-1234.” Touch the “Hamilton” device from your Bluetooth device list.
  2. Approve the prompts as they appear on your iPhone. First, approve the pairing code. Next, allow to “Contacts and Favorites.” Finally, touch “Allow” when the iPhone asks you to check for apps. Finally, when you get a large “Connect to CarPlay” button, click “Connect.”
 
The reason we turn the device Bluetooth off and back on is to allow the Hamilton CarPlay to use the Bluetooth channel to initiate the wireless CarPlay handoff before the phone connects to the factory Acura Bluetooth. Frequently, when the phone is in a stable connection to the factory Bluetooth, it may not allow you to establish the CarPlay connection. This is an important step.
 

Seeing "Not Connected" Next to Hamilton Bluetooth is Normal

Once CarPlay is connected, you may notice that your iPhone shows “Not Connected” next to the Hamilton Bluetooth device. This is normal and does not mean that CarPlay has disconnected or that there is a problem with the connection.

 

Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth to initiate the connection. Once the connection is established, CarPlay switches over to your phone's Wi-Fi connection for the high-speed data transmission required by CarPlay. Because of this handoff, the Hamilton Bluetooth connection may show as “Not Connected” while CarPlay is actively running.

 

Disconnecting CarPlay

  1. CarPlay uses Bluetooth to initiate the connection then takes over your phone’s WiFi channel for high speed data transmission. This is inherent to wireless CarPlay, and not designed by Hamilton.
  2. Once connected to CarPlay, the iPhone turns your WiFi button in Control Center into the default button to disconnect CarPlay. The video below walks you through properly disconnecting CarPlay.