Android Auto or Apple Carplay bring smart functions from smartphones to the car. The interfaces allow communication between the vehicle’s entertainment system and Android devices and iPhones. The smartphone apps are, so to speak, mirrored on the screen in the car. This makes Google Maps available for navigation or Spotify for music. Voice control via Google Assistant is also possible, and the system can then read messages out loud if desired.
However, owners of older vehicles usually have to establish a connection between the car and the mobile device using a USB cable. Although Android 11 already supports wireless Android Auto, many cars do not. The situation is similar with Carplay from Apple. If you want to conserve the USB-C port, you don’t have to do without a wireless connection.
Especially on regular short-distance journeys, it’s just annoying to have to constantly plug in your cell phone. It’s not uncommon for Android Auto to go on strike. Adapters promise a solution here. We have tried out several variants for Android Auto and Apple Carplay and show what other options are available.
Update: For Android users, the offer is currently worth it Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Car Adapter on Amazon for just 70 Euro instead of 90 euros. We describe below what experiences we had in testing the device.
Android Auto Wireless
Cell phones with Android version 11 and above generally support Android Auto Wireless, Samsung smartphones with Android 10 and above. However, the infotainment system often does not work in older vehicles.
The basic requirement is that the vehicle supports Android Auto and the smartphone is also recognized when you plug it in via cable. If this is the case, the adapter acts as a “placeholder” in the slot on the USB port and communicates with the smartphone via a Bluetooth connection.
The second device we tested is the Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Car Adapter. You can currently only get the device from Amazon 70 Euro instead of 90 euros. Visually, the rounded dongle with USB-A plug is reminiscent of a Chromecast from Google. The setup is also incredibly easy. The Android device must first be connected to the car via cable and set up. The Motorola MA1 then automatically connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth and tricks the vehicle into thinking it is a cell phone. This works reliably – provided that the car had already recognized the cell phone.
In our case, an Opel Insignia was unfortunately unable to establish a connection with a Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (test report). However, it works with Motorola mobile devices and a current Xiaomi 12 Pro (test report) is also recognized. However, these are not problems with the wireless adapter, but rather with Opel’s outdated infotainment system, which simply no longer receives updates.
AAWireless 2023
The AA Wireless was one of the most popular adapters for a wireless Android Auto connection. The device was out of stock for a long time, but now the new edition is available AAWireless 2023 on Amazon for 75 Euro again available. We tested the current model.
The square adapter with rounded corners in black measures approximately 5 × 5 × 1.2 centimeters. The device is plugged in using the included USB-C to USB-A cable. It fits very unobtrusively into the cockpit of the vehicle. Unusual for a device of this type: It is set up using an app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. A QR code for the app can be found in the instructions. The application guides the user through the setup, which can also be accomplished by laypeople. This only takes a few minutes. Firmware updates are available via the app, as well as the status of the connection and paired devices.
Adapter for Android Car Wireless
Adapter for Android Car Wireless
We tested this with an Opel Astra K (built in 2017) and with a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (test report). Once the setup is complete, the adapter wirelessly connects the smartphone to the infotainment system after around 30 seconds. All Android Auto functions are then available, as you would expect from the wired connection. This is much more convenient, but the smartphone battery drains more quickly when connected wirelessly.
Wireless Android Auto Adapter von TNVTEC
We also tested that Wireless Android Auto Adapter von TNVTEC. The device costs around 65 euros on Amazon – the version for Android Auto is currently unfavorable out of stock. Visually it is reminiscent of a tiny mouse. The scope of delivery includes cables with USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C.
The setup is surprisingly easy. You plug in the adapter and connect the Android smartphone to the device via Bluetooth smartBOX-F57A. The setup then appears on the screen as if you were plugging in your cell phone for the first time.
We also tried it out with a Samsung Galaxy S23 (test report), which had previously served as the “regular device” for Android Auto. Here the smartphone even automatically connected via Bluetooth and asked the user to agree to the setup. The included manual initially intimidated us and referred to developer settings in the Android Auto app. But it wasn’t all that complicated.
So far we have been able to use the adapter without any problems. It’s a relief on short journeys not to have to plug in your mobile device every time to use Google Maps or Spotify while driving. This saves time and protects the USB-C socket on the cell phone. So far we have had no problems with the adapter and use it every day.
Amazon offers other adapters that we haven’t tried yet. These include: Ottocast A2Air Wireless Android Auto Adapter ab 80 Euro. It has a special position Wireless Carplay Adapter Carlinkit 5.0 for 85 Euro (Apply 35 euro coupon) a. The new model follows the Carlinkit 4.0 and is suitable for both Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Together with the previous model, it is currently the only device we know of that supports both platforms.
No-name devices from Aliexpress are also very inexpensive. However, we have not had good experiences with this so far and therefore recommend the models mentioned above.
Use Apple Carplay wirelessly
Suitable devices for connecting the car wirelessly to Apple’s Carplay work similarly to the Android representatives: the device connects to the car via cable and communicates with the iPhone via Bluetooth.
The most popular models include the Wireless Carplay Adapter Carlinkit 5.0 ab 85 Euro as well as its predecessor Wireless Carplay Adapter Carlinkit 4.0 for 77 Euro (Select coupon for 20% discount). The Ottocast Carplay Wireless Adapter U2 Air exists in one Version for Apple Carplay for 100 Euro. Also TNVTEC offers a version for Apple Carplay 55 Euro.
Smart displays as an alternative
Adapters are a convenient solution. However, these require that the vehicle also offers the appropriate interface for Android Auto or Apple Carplay. If the older vehicle does not offer this, retrofitting the car radio is an option. But it’s more expensive directly from the manufacturer.
Moniceiver
However, these almost always require a 2-DIN slot and technical know-how during installation. You can get such moniceivers from unknown manufacturers for just under 200 euros, branded products cost more than 400 euros – expensive fun.
Conclusion
The hassle of plugging your smartphone into the vehicle for Android Auto or Apple Carplay is a thing of the past thanks to suitable adapters. This increases comfort enormously, especially on short journeys. You can get corresponding products from just 60 euros. We have had good experiences with the device from TNVTEC, AA Wireless and the Motorola MA1. The Carlinkit 5.0 is a real all-rounder for Apple Carplay and Android Auto.