PodEmu - iPod Emulator

Roman P.

About this app

IMPORTANT: if you download this app you really need to visit project GitHub page: https://github.com/xtensa/PodEmu

PodEmu is Android application that allows you to connect your Android device to iPod docking station or your car audio system. PodEmu supports both AiR (Advanced) and Simple modes so you can control your Android music app directly from docking station or from your cars steering wheel. PodEmu uses serial protocol to communicate with iPod docking station so it will work only with "old" 30-pin iPod connectors. Lightning interface is not supported.

WARNING: this application requires do-it-yourself cable to work. You need some soldering skills to be able to create this cable. Please do not rate this app if you don't have such cable. For more details on how to create this cable please visit project GitHub page: https://github.com/xtensa/PodEmu

REQUIREMENTS

- DIY bluetooth dongle
or
- Android device with USB host support
- DIY cable. Unfortunately there is no ready to use cables available on the market so you need some soldering skills to assemble your own cable. All details on how to do that could be found on this XDA developers thread.

FEATURES

No root required
Display track/time information for currently playing song on your car audio system or docking station display.
Control your favourite Android music app (eg. Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music) directly from car's steering wheel or docking station remote control
Download docking station color image to android device. Car audios usually have this feature.
Support for Bluetooth serial devices. You can assemble the dongle and connect your android completely wirelesly.
Entirely Open Source :) You can modify and redistribute as long as you comply with GPLv3.

Ratings and reviews

Absolutely brilliant. Developer is very responsive. The app is working great for me. FG Mk1 Falcon, using the "Pondy" cable circuit, with the logo download option set to "disabled" in the app. Original review in 2018 - still working well in 2026. :)

Thought this was a software solution to a pesky problem from switching to Android and having an older car stereo. It's just an interface and you still need a specially wired cable to act as an adapter. Don't download this expecting to connect your Android to your Chevy with a plain old USB C cable and have it be recognized as an iPod. It doesn't do that.

Doesn't work like an app. Most app store applications don't provide much useful in the about page, I recommend they have a walk through instead of a gift hub page as it will help users understand this is not your typical app from the app store.

What’s new

Fixed Play/Pause issue for BMW cars (issue #10)