I recently replaced the OEM head unit in our low-mileage CX-5, and all is generally good. I bought a "Red Wolf" adapter cable to connect the new head unit to the factory cable that runs to the "Type A" USB port in the center armrest box, and was disappointed to find it doesn't work as expected. If I connect my iPhone 12 directly to the USB connector on the head unit, the unit recognizes the iPhone and CarPlay goes active; that doesn't happen with the adapter in place and the iPhone connected to the factory USB port in the armrest box. Interestingly, I noticed the port is supplying power to the phone whether or not the cable is connected to the head unit, which suggests power goes to that USB port separate from the data cable used to connect the port to the head unit. Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has gotten this to work. The alternative is to have the head unit's USB connector drop into the glovebox and forget about the port in the armrest box. Thanks!
