2017 BRZ HU sucks
 

I only ever use the HU to play music from my iPhone tethered and to take phone calls over BT. My 2015 would start playing music about ~20 seconds after I started my car, and BT would sync within the same timeframe. The 2017 takes about twice as long. Also, when I get a call the HU switches all audio(including music) to BT to answer the call. So when I get a call, music pauses then plays over BT for a second, then the HU rings to answer the call. My 15 would handle this flawlessly with no noticeable switching going on.

So my questions is can this HU be updated and if so, how? Alternatively, what is the best option for a replacement given my use case? CarPlay would be really nice.

Unlikely they will update anything besides the maps.
Best option would be to get a 15 head unit or a replacement.
I'd sell you mine if the offer was right, pm me if interested.

I have the stock head unit out of my 2013 FRS 10 series that I pulled out and replaced with a Kenwood. I would sell that to you if you are interested.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

My '17 BRZ is less than two weeks old and I love it, but yes the HU sucks. It's even worse down here in Australia, no maps or apps. I got prompted to install the starlink app on my iphone when I plugged it in via USB but then it did nothing at all for us, pointless.

Subaru do better!

The starlink app is a joke. Seriously, don't even bother with it. It rarely works and when it does, it takes ages to do anything.

Welcome to Subaru Technology. Unless its a federal mandate for safety (IE backup camera) you will be at least 8 years behind the times when it comes to anything related to headunits and other features that are standard on many cars.

check out the Joying head unit if you like Android OS.

Wow. Talk about your first world problems!

Yes, that's exactly what we're doing!
Haven't you read the thread?

There is an UPDATE function in the SETTINGS section, my question is where to obtain updates and how to do it. My HU is a Clarion CA645UL and I can find an update for a 2015 BRZ with CA630UL as the folder name. The same site (content.subarunet.com/snet/business/service/forms/audio_downloads) has an update for the 2017 WRX with CA634UL. Maybe an update is in our future, then the question is how to install.

Good info! Ill keep an eye out for any new files.

Found a YouTube on how to update a Forester HU that looks the same. It also links to the same update page. It shows holding down HOME and pressing AUDIO/TUNE 5 times to get the service menu. The update is loaded through the USB. An update for a 2017 BRZ is not shown and I don't have the guts to check mine for the service menu but if anyone else does please post the results:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_RRU4a-1Ew"]Subaru Starlink 7" Head Unit Update - HOW TO - YouTube[/ame]

I just wanna connect Pandora over BT reliably. My Android only hooks about 2/3 of the time.

Tried it, it doesn't work.
Ours isn't the 7". Our unit also has an option to update it in the normal settings menu.

There is another menu if you press the power button to get to the "audio off" screen, then tap the top left, top right, bottom left then bottom right (one at a time in that order).
Not a whole lot you can do in there though.

Sorry to revive this thread, but, any news on the 2017 head unit?
Any new updates? Haven't fully tried it out but I did react to the small delays on the touch screen, and those bothered me a little..

Whats the model-number? thinking if someone has been able to hack it and change to a custom rom perhaps?