VLine VL2 FAQ

Please check our compatibility guide for your car make, model, and year fitment and limitations. Or use the "Find what fits your car" search widget on the gromaudio.com home page to see the products compatible with your specific stereo.

No, the VLine VL2 integrates directly with your existing factory navigation stereo or touchscreen.

Most of the time, you can preserve all original functions. Your steering wheels and car stereo controls, climate controls, FM radio, and backup camera will keep working. CD changer, AUX, or USB might have to be disconnected in select vehicles. Please refer to the particular VLine model for clarification.

VLine is fully integrated into your car stereo system so all speakers will work. You will get high-quality digital sound.

VLine VL2 is an Android-based car computer/infotainment system that works as an add-on to your existing factory stereo. VLine system has a fully functional Android interface, and you can run most of the apps from the Play Store directly on your car stereo screen. It also offers smartphone integration to the factory car stereo, using wireless and wired CarPlay and Android Auto.

You do not have to connect your phone to VLine VL2 to use it. VLine VL2 is a stand-alone unit and does not require a phone connection. You can still connect your smartphone to VLine VL2 for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You might also use your phone as a mobile hotspot to provide internet connectivity to VLine VL2.

Yes, you can connect your iPhone to VLine VL2 for wireless and wired CarPlay.

You can use your vehicle touchscreen (when available), car stereo, and steering wheel controls to operate VLine VL2 and CarPlay or Android Auto. Some models might have limitations; please refer to the specific model description for applicable limitations and additional details.

It is possible on some stereos. You can also use the FM radio app on CarPlay or Android Auto or the Web Radio plugin on the VLine VL2 user interface to listen to the FM or AM radio.

You can insert a micro SD card to increase storage space for Vline (up to 128GB supported). The Micro SD should be formatted FAT32. File System format exFAT and NTFS are NOT supported. ****When inserting the Micro SD card into the VLINE Micro SD slot, please ensure the card has the pins facing upwards.

You need to use the Factory UI shortcut to get back to the factory user interface mode for VLine VL2 and adjust the sound settings. See the how-to video:

1. Turn on the Bluetooth on your VLine VL2. Go to Support --> Bluetooth.
2. Turn on the Bluetooth in the iPhone® settings;
3. Select the grayed-out CarPlay® icon on the VLine VL2 home screen; your phone will be listed below “Wireless CarPlay Devices.”
4. Tap or select your phone in the list of Wireless CarPlay Devices; the VLine VL2 will start to connect to your iPhone®.
5. In a few seconds, you will see the “Tap to Pair” pop-up on the VLine VL2 screen. Check “Allow iPhone to access your contacts and call history.”
6. The iPhone will also receive two pop-up notifications- request to pair to VLine VL2 and then “Use CarPlay with VLINE2?” Make sure to hit pair for the first pop-up and “use for CarPlay” for the second. Important: make sure to put the check mark next to all asked permissions.
7. The message on the VLine VL2 screen under your iPhone’s name will change to “Connecting...”. In a few seconds, the status will change to “Connected.”
8. The CarPlay UI (user interface) will automatically show on the car stereo screen. If it does not appear automatically, tap on the “Show UI” button in the upper right corner of the “CarPlay Settings” screen on VLine VL2.

You will need to use the USB cable for wired CarPlay. For wired CarPlay plug the USB cable into the USB1 port of the VLine. Use genuine Apple® USB to iPhone® cables for the best connectivity. Any cable over 6FT long can cause issues. Worn-out cable or dirty connector can cause the issues.If the VLine VL2 does not see the CarPlay connected via USB, try the following:

plug the cable directly to the USB1 port of the VLine VL2 without using the USB extension cable;

use different iPhone cable. Make sure to use genuine high quality iPhone to USB cable.

Sometimes, such as after the iOS firmware update, or in general, the wireless CarPlay does not want to connect, or you have troubles using wireless CarPlay. You can reset the CarPlay connection. See the video that explains how to:

1. Turn on the Bluetooth on your VLine VL2. Go to Support --> Bluetooth.
2. Turn on the Bluetooth in the Android smartphone settings;
3. Select the grayed-out Android Auto® icon on the VLine VL2 home screen; your phone will be listed below “Wireless Android Auto Devices.”
4. Tap or select your phone in the list of Wireless Android Auto Devices; the VLine VL2 will start to connect to your smartphone.
5. In a few seconds, you will see the “Tap to Pair” pop-up on the VLine VL2 screen. Check “Allow to access your contacts and call history.”
6. The Android phone will also receive the pop-up notification- request to pair to VLine VL2. Make sure to hit pair for the pop-up and to put the check mark next to all asked permissions.
7. The message on the VLine VL2 screen under your phones name will change to “Connecting...”. In a few seconds, the status will change to “Connected.”
8. The Android Auto UI (user interface) will automatically show on the car stereo screen. If it does not appear automatically, tap on the “Show UI” button in the upper right corner of the “Android Auto Settings” screen on VLine VL2.

You will need to use the USB cable for wired Android Auto. Plug the USB cable to any USB port of the VLine VL2. Use high-quality USB cables for the best connectivity. The maximum recommended length of the USB cable is 3FT. Wait for a few seconds to allow the Android Auto to connect. If the VLine VL2 does not see the Android Auto connected via USB, try the following:

use the other USB port of VLine VL2;

plug the cable directly to the USB port of the VLine VL2 without using the USB extension cable;

use different Android cable.

Sometimes, such as after the OS update, or in general, the wireless Android Auto does not want to connect, or you have troubles using wireless Android Auto. You can reset the wireless Android Auto connection. See the video that explains how to:

Yes in order to utilize VLine to its fullest potential we recommend getting internet connectivity. You still have the options for Bluetooth music streaming, music playback from your USB flash drive, and offline maps.

There are few options available:

1. Tether internet connectivity via your smartphone.
2. Get an LTE mobile hotspot and add an internet plan to your phone data. Check your mobile carrier for that. TMobile is one of the carriers that offers stand-alone data plans.
3. Use Bluetooth internet tethering.

Bluetooth tethering and wireless Apple CarPlay:Bluetooth tethering and wireless Android Auto:

Google Maps will provide you with turn-by-turn directions and real time traffic. Waze is the other map program that we recommend to use with VLine.

Yes you can download any offline maps to Micro SD card and connect it to VLine Micro SD port.

With VLine you have the access to the following integrated music plugins as part of VLine user interface:

Web Radio

Pandora

YouTube Music

Local music (for music that is stored on USB flash drive and connected to the VLine VL2)

Yes the voice search is enabled across all music plugins within VLine. For example you can press on "mic" icon within Spotify and it will ask you what are you looking for. You can say the name of artist, album or song, and it will show you available selections.

Yes you can install and use any other music apps available on Google Play. Amazon Prime Music, SoundCloud, Tidal and may other apps will work with the VLine VL2. Note that since they are not VLine VL2 plugins, the user interface will be the same as it is provided by the original app designers.

Voice activation button allows you to navigate to your destination easily. When it is pressed, it will ask you "Where would you like to go?". You can then tell VLine where you would like to go, and it will activate Google navigation to guide you to your destination.

With the VLine VL2 you have the access to many other Android mobile apps available at Play store.

Yes you can pair your phone to VLine for wireless music streaming.

Yes you will see track information, and sometimes cover art when you pair your phone to VLine for wireless music streaming.

No you will use your car hands free system for hands free phone calls. Hands free phone calls via VLine are not available yet.

iPhone users:

1. Forget this device for both the car and the GROM VLine if previously paired.
2. Then connect to the car factory Bluetooth hands free function.
3. And then connect to the GROM unit for Music streaming.

iPhones do not have the ability to manually select what function of a device you want to pair to it will automatically pair to all Bluetooth functions that are available on a device, for this reason you will need to pair to the vehicles Bluetooth first then the iPhone will only pair to a GROM units music streaming (A2DP) function as it knows that the hands free(HFP) function is already being utilized by another device.
Android users:For Android phone all you need to do is to go to the Bluetooth setting, and choose "Media Audio" only for GROM-CAR connection, and "Phone Audio" for your factory connection.

Two types of firmware update are available for VLine:
1. Base System Update that is performed via your computer and USB stick / Flash Drive. This update provides you with startup improvements, reverse camera improvements, audio thump upon startup fixes.
Please make sure to download the correct firmware for your model of VLine, rename file to gromvl1.hex, and carefully follow to the other firmware update instructions, posted on the above mentioned webpage.

2. OTA (Over The Air) System Update
This update will appear on your VLine once it is connected to the internet. The OTA firmware update procedure is available in your manual: vline_gen5_install_manual.pdf

If available, the OTA (Over The Air) update will appear on your VLine once it is connected to the internet. To check if there is an update available, go to "Settings->About Device"

Select "VLine System Updates"

Then select "Check for Updates"

If there is update available it will appear on screen for downloading.

Wait for update to download and apply. VLine will restart during the process (it might take up to ten minutes).

If System does not boot up within 15 minutes, please turn off the ignition and wait for one minute, then turn ignition on again.

The easiest way to stay updated with VLine firmware is by checking Support icon. It will show red dot when releases are available. Note that you need to be connected to intenet for the VLine to be able to check the updates on the server.

The REV wire was not connected or incorrectly connected using P-Taps. If the REV wire is not properly connected, or not connected at all - the system will not work. The REV wire should be connected as explained in the LEX5LS REV wire addendum manual
Here is the video that shows how the REV wire needs to be connected:Here are the posi-tap connections explained:

Ensure you connected the GVMF video cable to the back of the display, and not to the back of the stereo. There are two identical blue-colored ports available at the back of the stereo and at the back of the display. Ensure you connected the GVMF video cable at the back of the display - the top connector.

It is normal behavior of the factory stereos of Lexus and Toyota vehicles compatible with VLine models LEX5 LEX4 LEX3 LEX3L LEXGS LEXGX -select Lexus 2002-2008 vehicles. Once you use the REVERSE gear on your vehicle, and then go back to DRIVE, the stereo will show factory NAVIGATION screen and not VLine screen. It is normal standard behavior, and it is how the factory stereo works.

There is single green wire on the MCFNIS8 cable that is used to enable steering wheel controls. It is called SWC wire. If you decided to connect it, please make sure that you properly connect it to the correct location of the steering wheel control wire on the stereo main harness. Refer to the NIS8 installation manual for the instructions

Checkinstall video for more information: