Wireless Android Auto; How to use it, or add it to your car

Our telephones have the flexibility to make a commute or highway journey higher with free navigation and entry to music and extra, and methods like Android Auto make all of that safer and fewer distracting. Whereas Android Auto is handy in any type, it’s greatest when wi-fi. Right here’s how one can use wi-fi Android Auto.

Does my cellphone assist wi-fi Android Auto?

The primary and most essential think about utilizing Android Auto wirelessly is to see in case your Android smartphone helps the performance. Fortunately, it’s not laborious to get a tool with assist.

To make use of wi-fi Android Auto, your cellphone wants to fulfill the next software program necessities:

Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy machine with Android 10 or increased
Choose Samsung Galaxy gadgets operating Android 9.0 or increased (Galaxy S8, Observe 8)
Any Android smartphone operating Android 11 or increased
All gadgets want 5GHz Wi-Fi assist

For probably the most half, any Android smartphone launched prior to now two or three years ought to meet these necessities with no points.

The way to use wi-fi Android Auto that’s constructed into your automobile

Most automobiles that assist Android Auto typically assist the wired model of the platform, nevertheless it’s changing into more and more widespread for carmakers to assist wi-fi Android Auto natively of their automobiles. Some carmakers that assist wi-fi Android Auto:

Acura
Audi
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ford
GMC
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jeep
Kia
Lincoln
Maserati
Porsche
Ram
Toyota
Volkswagen

Consider, in fact, that not all automobiles from these carmakers assist Android Auto in its wi-fi type, and assist may additionally range primarily based on the particular configuration of the mannequin you buy. Automobiles.com has a listing of automobiles offered in america that assist wi-fi Android Auto.

New: Different carmakers are additionally frequently including assist for wi-fi Android Auto. In the course of the week of April 11, 2022, Subaru introduced that it might debut assist for wi-fi Android Auto in its 2023 mannequin 12 months, beginning on the Outback.

Should you automobile does have assist for wi-fi Android Auto, pairing is fairly easy. In most instances, merely pair to your automobile’s Bluetooth via the infotainment system’s settings menu. After that, the automobile and your cellphone will speak to one another to determine a Wi-Fi connection and, in flip, launch Android Auto on the automobile’s show. After preliminary pairing, this course of needs to be computerized.

This course of could range primarily based in your car’s infotainment system. In some instances, you’ll must search for a “Join cellphone” possibility beneath an Android Auto app or activate Android Auto within the automobile’s settings.

The way to add wi-fi Android Auto to your automobile

In case your automobile doesn’t have already got assist for wi-fi Android Auto, it’s changing into fairly straightforward so as to add assist via aftermarket merchandise.

The best manner so as to add wi-fi Android Auto to a automobile that already helps the wired model is with a USB dongle. Presently, there are three gadgets which can be nice for delivering this characteristic. The primary is the Motorola MA1, which prices $90 and is offered from Amazon or Goal. This dongle, whereas laborious to seek out in inventory, is the one machine licensed by Google so as to add wi-fi assist to the corporate’s infotainment expertise. It really works brilliantly.

Additional, there are two dongles that emerged from crowdfunding campaigns. AAWireless was the very first product to perform this process, and as we acknowledged in a earlier evaluation, it’s an exquisite little machine. You’ll be able to nonetheless order it on Indiegogo for $85, with delivery normally two to 4 weeks from the time of your order. Lastly, there’s Carsifi, which you may also order from Indiegogo for $99, although it’s typically on sale for $89. This product’s declare to fame is that it has a button to change from one cellphone connection to a different.

With the Motorola MA1, pairing is extremely fast and straightforward. Merely plug in Motorola MA1 to your automobile’s USB port (word: the dongle solely helps USB-A connections) and let it activate. As soon as on, go to your cellphone’s Bluetooth settings and search for the MA1. Pair with the dongle, and permit it to activate a Wi-Fi connection. You’ll be prompted routinely from that time to arrange Android Auto.

For AAWireless and Carsifi, the method may be very comparable, apart from one setup step. Earlier than you proceed with the steps listed above, you’ll must allow Android Auto developer choices by opening Android Auto settings and tapping a number of occasions on the model quantity. As soon as accomplished, open Android Auto’s three-dot overflow menu and search for Developer settings. Excessive up on the checklist, you’ll see an choice to add wi-fi projection to settings, which you’ll then activate from the earlier web page. This step could or will not be needed relying in your machine, so search for a toggle to activate wi-fi Android Auto earlier than enabling developer settings.

What if my automobile doesn’t have Android Auto in any respect?

Alternatively, in case your automobile doesn’t have already got the wired type of Android Auto, there are nonetheless choices.

Going the simple route, there are GPS-style gadgets you could mount in your automobile which assist Android Auto. We examined an IYING machine that prices $260 on Amazon and helps wi-fi Android Auto. Street Prime provides an analogous machine with a wider display for $299.

Whereas set up is handy on gadgets like these, ideally that cash ought to go towards a brand new head unit. These gadgets, which will be put in by yourself, however are greatest dealt with by knowledgeable, exchange your automobile’s current infotainment system completely. It’s a good way to breathe life into older automobiles or simply add a brand new characteristic.

Widespread manufacturers reminiscent of Pioneer and JVC Kenwood assist wi-fi Android Auto on a few of their high-end methods, and Crutchfield has a number of different smaller manufacturers that supply extra reasonably priced methods that assist the characteristic.