Android Auto Wireless Adapter FAQs; What You Need to Know

Wireless Android Auto is incredibly convenient, but it’s still relatively rare to find the feature built into a vehicle. But a simple wireless Android Auto adapter makes adding the functionality incredibly easy — here are some of the biggest questions about the products.

What is the Android Auto wireless adapter?

Android Auto is typically used in a wired form, with a cable connecting the car to the phone. This connection slowly charges the phone while sending data to the car to display Android Auto on the infotainment screen. Wired Android Auto has become commonplace in virtually every new vehicle, but its wireless counterpart largely has not.

As a result, there’s been a trend of offering adapters that can take over a car’s USB port and connect to your phone wirelessly. This was initially done unofficially, but Google has officially licensed at least one product to support the functionality.

Motorola MA1, AAWireless, Carsifi – what’s the difference?

There are currently three adapters available that can add wireless Android Auto to your car. The first one to be released is AAWirelesswhich was developed by a small team and brought to market through crowdfunding. The simple adapter has a detachable cable that connects to your car and displays a wireless version of Android Auto in your car. It has a companion app that can provide firmware updates, assist with pairing, and make more advanced changes to the experience if you choose to do so. AAWireless is handyman in this comparison offering a simple setup with more features.

The AAWireless device can be purchased on Amazon for $74.99, although you can often find them at discounted prices.

Later in 2024, AAWireless 2 will be released with improved hardware and a button that will make it easier to switch between users.

This Motorola MA1Meanwhile, it is the only product officially licensed to deliver wireless Android Auto to vehicles. It has a built-in USB-A connection and works without any apps. Simply pair via Bluetooth, and the rest is handled as if you were connected to your car by wire. The product focuses on simplicitya goal he certainly achieves.

The MA1 has been incredibly popular with customers. It was initially hard to find in stock, but now it’s fairly easy to find. Amazon regularly sells it at a discount. Alternatively, Best Buy has a dongle, also occasionally on sale, but you can buy it at local stores.

There is also another wireless Android Auto adapter that was created through crowdfunding, CarsifiThis dongle is similar to AAWireless in that it has a companion app for advanced features and updates, but it has one standout feature quick switch button which allows you to easily change the phone to which the dongle is connected.

We used Carsifi, and it’s a solid option, but it can only be purchased through the company’s website and costs $90, making it one of the most expensive options on the market.

There are many other wireless Android Auto adapters. Ottocast is a popular option for using Android Auto and CarPlay, for example. There are also a number of cheap third-party options that actually work surprisingly well.

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Android Auto Wireless Adapter FAQ

Will these adapters add Android Auto to my car?

One of the most common questions about wireless Android Auto adapters is whether they will allow you to add Android Auto to a vehicle that doesn’t already have it.

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no. Your car have to have a wired version of Android Auto, either officially through the built-in infotainment system or through the head unit to enable a wireless connection. These adapters just eliminate the cable requirement.

Will my phone work with Android Auto Wireless Adapter?

Generally speaking, the vast majority of phones released in the last three to four years will work with Android Auto wireless adapter. The exact requirements are as follows:

• Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy device running Android 10 or later
• Select Samsung Galaxy devices running Android 9.0 or later (Galaxy S8, Note 8)
• Any smartphone with Android 11 or later
• All devices require 5GHz Wi-Fi support (direct)

What happens if the connection is interrupted?

One of the most common issues with any form of wireless Android Auto is losing connection, but fortunately, this is an easy fix. As we covered in our post on how to use wireless Android Auto , some troubleshooting steps may include:

If you notice that Android Auto is not connecting to your car even though your phone is already paired, simply turn off Bluetooth and turn it back on. Generally, your phone and car will quickly connect and everything will return to normal. Of course, your results may vary. Other troubleshooting steps may include:

• Restarting your phone
• Turn Bluetooth off and on again
• Switching to airplane mode for a few seconds
• Forgot to pair Bluetooth in car and pair phone again

For the wireless Android Auto adapter, another sure-fire troubleshooting step is to simply unplug and plug the adapter back in. This will restart the pairing process.

Some owners of wireless Android Auto adapters have also noticed that connections tend to drop in some areas. These devices use 5GHz Wi-Fi Direct to transfer data between your phone and the adapter, so interference is certainly possible in some areas, although we wouldn’t say it’s particularly likely or common for most uses.

How can I tell if the Android Auto wireless adapter will work in my car?

As mentioned, compatibility with Android Auto wireless adapters is generally pretty universal. If your car already has a wired Android Auto, a wireless adapter will probably work. But fortunately, there is a compatibility test available.

AAWireless offers a compatibility test that allows you to check your car model against the company’s database for potential issues.

Is it normal for my phone to heat up when using Android Auto?

As mentioned, Android Auto adapters use Wi-Fi to transfer data from the adapter to your phone without any wires. Similar to a mobile hotspot, this can cause your phone to get particularly warm while you’re using the adapter. This is completely normal and, generally speaking, safe. However, if you live in a warm climate or have a particularly hot day, it might be wise to make sure your phone is within range of an AC outlet or shield it from direct sunlight.

Can I use the Android Auto adapter with multiple phones?

Yes! Most Android Auto wireless adapters can connect to multiple smartphones. The Motorola MA1 and AAWireless can remember multiple devices, but will connect to the one they were last paired with. If you have two devices paired in your car at the same time, turn off Bluetooth on the one you NO you want to connect.

Meanwhile, the Carsifi is designed with a button that can switch between previously paired phones. The AAWireless 2 will offer similar functionality when it launches later in 2024.

Are there adapters for Android Auto and CarPlay?

Yes, there are adapters that work with both platforms. AAWireless is testing this functionality in beta, while Ottocast also offers support for both platforms. While we noticed some odd behavior with Ottocast when using Android Auto in our tests, it delivers on its promise to work with both platforms.