Wireless Android Auto adapters

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Wireless Android Auto adapters - recommendations?

jonathan18

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#306743 17-Aug-2023 14:01

Looking to buy an adapter to convert a wired Android Auto connection in a car to wireless, so wondering if anyone has any specific models they’d recommend (to buy or avoid)?

Are the cheap ones off Temu or Ali Express generally ok? I’m thinking of one like this:

https://www.temu.com/nz/wireless-car-play-dongle-for-carplay-cars-converts-wired-to-wireless-carplay-adapter-supports-online-updates-plug-and-play-easy-to-use-fits-cars-since-2015-and-iphone-ios-10-g-601099516550191.html

Thanks in advance.

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#3117222 17-Aug-2023 15:49

I've been looking at these too, but hesitant to pull the trigger without any real world intel on if they're any good - so following here.

FYI, looks like the one you linked to is for iOS only, though the Android version looks very similar:

https://www.temu.com/nz/new-wireless-android-car-dongle-convert-wired-android-car-to-wireless-plug-directly-into-usb-type-c-adapter-plug-and-play-for-android-phones-white-g-601099518807709.html?top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2FFancyalgo%2FVirtualModelMatting%2F0d799dd30c77bd0f1cfd6e9a6b72a7ff.jpg&spec_gallery_id=2004722208&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&search_key=wireless%20android%20auto&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_sessn_id=5rnuqjxsyv&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1692244106562_p1qe7y46k7

Ruphus

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#3117226 17-Aug-2023 16:07

I've been using the AA Wireless adapter in my car for a couple of years. I don't have any issues with it. I bought mine through Indiegogo when they were first released. Android Auto starts about 20-30secs after the radio is turned on. I'm using a Samsung S22 and Subaru WRX.

I have tried the adapter in a Kia Sorento and it would constantly disconnect. But this turned out to be a cable issue with the Sorento and not the adapter, as the Sorento is very touchy with what cables are used for Android Auto.

gehenna

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#3117228 17-Aug-2023 16:15

+1 AAWireless. I was in the original Indiegogo too but have bought more since. Only takes about 5 sec to start in my Kona

mentalinc

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#3117233 17-Aug-2023 16:36

AAwireless and the Motorola are the two main ones, everything else is likley a knock off of them.

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Handle9

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#3117260 17-Aug-2023 17:59

I can't comment about AA but I've used Carlinkit in a couple of cars for wireless CarPlay. They are good and work well.

I've got a CarPlay Android dongle in my car and used an Audi conversion kit in my wife's old car.

jonathan18

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#3117295 17-Aug-2023 19:34

Thanks for the posts and recommendations; good to know what the ‘real deal’ option is and an idea of what’ll cost, but keen on trying one of the cheaper knock-offs especially if there are recommendations for specific brands/models.

@Handle9, any suggestions as to whether any of Carlinkit’s models should do the job? Looking at this one the price is decent, and the shipping surprisingly quick (relatively speaking). https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004990937743.html

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Handle9

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#3117296 17-Aug-2023 19:36

I’d guess it will work, just read the listing carefully, as always on AliExpress. They make decent gear.

Technofreak

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#3117314 17-Aug-2023 21:40

AA Wireless here. It just works.

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#3117384 18-Aug-2023 07:41

How is the battery life when on wireless?

gehenna

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#3117392 18-Aug-2023 08:10

If after purchase support is important to you, I had a seamless replacement experience with AAWireless when the Wi-Fi module stopped working on my first one.

jonathan18

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#3130355 22-Sep-2023 09:02

So I ordered a Carlinkit AA adapter which arrived really quickly, but only got to test it out yesterday after my wife picked up the car from the dealers.

I had initial success with AA working pretty well on the car's head unit upon first connection, but it simply won't reconnect to the car. Most of the time there seems to be the correct connection between phone and adapter, in that the green light on the adapter flashes and the phone claims says AA is ready to display, and to select the AA button on the car. Pressing that button does SFA, with it saying I need to plug in the phone... It's done the same on both my wife's and my phones (noting they're both S21Us).

I'm completely new to AA so have no idea of what could be wrong here, so would appreciate any tips and tricks to try. I get it could be a straight-forward incompatibility with the car, but in case there are possible solutions I'd be keen on trying them... I've tried switching out the cable from the one supplied with the adapter, as I've read that some cars can be fussy about this, but that's just been with a range of cables from around the house - should I be trying a particular quality/standard/brand? Is it worth buying something like this basic Dynamix cable just to ensure it's not the cause?

If I don't have any luck with this one I'm happy to stump up for an AAWireless unit, as it's easy to see the advantage of AA for my wife, but it would be good to see if I can get this one working...

Thanks for any ideas.

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Technofreak

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#3130368 22-Sep-2023 09:45

Try uninstalling it completely and re-installing it. That includes deleting any bluetooth and WiFi connections between the phone and adapter.

Another thing you could look at, is there a companion app for the adapter? Go looking on the play Store and download it if there is one. This is how some adapters handle firmware updates and device settings etc. I'd say there's a high chance your adapter has an update waiting.

So far as the cable goes I'd expect the original one to work otherwise make sure you have a power and data USB cable. Some are only data.

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#3130371 22-Sep-2023 10:07

My wife has AA Wireless, I haven't been that impressed with it. She has a 2016 Audi A4, and the main issue is the time it takes to connect, which wildly varies.

turtleattacks

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#3130374 22-Sep-2023 10:15

We have a Carlinkit for our 2021 Mazda.

95% of the time, it works within 20 seconds, 4.5% time it works over 20 seconds. 0.5% of the time it doesn't work where we need to unplug and reboot.

It's amongst my top 5 tech purchases.

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jonathan18

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#3130406 22-Sep-2023 10:50

Thanks for the feedback.

@turtleattacks: did you have any initial setup problems or did it work straight out of the box?

I have tried removing all connections, rebooting the phone and re-doing the setup, but had the same experience (worked first time then wouldn't reconnect). Good idea on the software front, but there doesn't seem to be any companion app that I can find.

Do you think it's worth seeing if there's an update to the firmware? I've found a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEre5-h_EVI) that explains the process (much better than the instruction manual does!).

Edit: I've also found these trouble-shooting steps on their website so will give these a go later: https://www.carlinkit.com/faq_detail/64.html

Another option could be to see if I can find another car with wired AA and test it out but don't think I know anyone! (Kinda wish Tesla would provide AA/CP support...)

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